By: Susan Nusink
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates the average American household has 24 electronic products. As these electronics become outdated, they are replaced with the newest models. This results in almost 2 million tons of used electronics being abandoned each year. Dumping electronics in the landfill is illegal in many states. Over half the states have laws regarding the disposal and recycling of electronics.
Many people don’t realize that computers and computer related electronics contain hazardous waste. Among the chemicals that are found in these products are barium, phosphorus, cadmium, mercury, chromium, beryllium, and lead. If these products are tossed into landfills, there is a chance of these chemicals being leached into the groundwater. Televisions and computer monitors house on average four to eight pounds of lead. Electronics are responsible for 40% of the lead found in landfills. Lead is known to be harmful to the peripheral and central nervous systems and kidneys in humans. It can also have detrimental effects on the developing brain.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned about proper disposal of electronics and is focused on providing certified places to recycle these items. When electronics are disposed of at a certified recycling center, many materials from these products are able to be reused. This decreases the need to mine for new materials.
The EPA calculates that up to 90% of electronic products can be recycled. Here are some examples of what can be recovered:
· Glass cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are sent to smelters and the glass is recycled and the lead retrieved.
· Plastic housing is ground down and made into items like pothole mix and retaining blocks.
· Circuit boards and chips are often used to upgrade outdated electronics. They can also be recycled for scrap.
In addition to environmental benefits of recycling, you can also receive a tax deduction when you recycle with a nonprofit organization. You are allowed to deduct the current market value of a computer you recycle. If the product is newer than five years, you can generally donate it to a school for a tax deduction.
When you are looking for a place to recycle your electronics, be sure to use a recycler that is certified with the EPA to ensure they recycle in an environmentally responsible way. Benefits of environmentally sound recycling include:
· Decrease environmental and human health impacts.
· Provide access to refurbished and reusable equipment to those in need.
· Conserve natural resources and reduce mining efforts.
· Reduce energy and pollution that would come from making new products.
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates the average American household has 24 electronic products. As these electronics become outdated, they are replaced with the newest models. This results in almost 2 million tons of used electronics being abandoned each year. Dumping electronics in the landfill is illegal in many states. Over half the states have laws regarding the disposal and recycling of electronics.
Many people don’t realize that computers and computer related electronics contain hazardous waste. Among the chemicals that are found in these products are barium, phosphorus, cadmium, mercury, chromium, beryllium, and lead. If these products are tossed into landfills, there is a chance of these chemicals being leached into the groundwater. Televisions and computer monitors house on average four to eight pounds of lead. Electronics are responsible for 40% of the lead found in landfills. Lead is known to be harmful to the peripheral and central nervous systems and kidneys in humans. It can also have detrimental effects on the developing brain.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned about proper disposal of electronics and is focused on providing certified places to recycle these items. When electronics are disposed of at a certified recycling center, many materials from these products are able to be reused. This decreases the need to mine for new materials.
The EPA calculates that up to 90% of electronic products can be recycled. Here are some examples of what can be recovered:
· Glass cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are sent to smelters and the glass is recycled and the lead retrieved.
· Plastic housing is ground down and made into items like pothole mix and retaining blocks.
· Circuit boards and chips are often used to upgrade outdated electronics. They can also be recycled for scrap.
In addition to environmental benefits of recycling, you can also receive a tax deduction when you recycle with a nonprofit organization. You are allowed to deduct the current market value of a computer you recycle. If the product is newer than five years, you can generally donate it to a school for a tax deduction.
When you are looking for a place to recycle your electronics, be sure to use a recycler that is certified with the EPA to ensure they recycle in an environmentally responsible way. Benefits of environmentally sound recycling include:
· Decrease environmental and human health impacts.
· Provide access to refurbished and reusable equipment to those in need.
· Conserve natural resources and reduce mining efforts.
· Reduce energy and pollution that would come from making new products.
RSS Feed
