IBM and Electronic Waste Disposal & Recycling Team B Pamelyn Fukuoka Michal Harris Jeanna Jones Saima Khan Kevin McHutchison GB600.01 Leadership Strategies for a Changing World January 16, 2012 Professor Sherry Giddings

The Disposal of E-Waste

The Need for an Electronic Waste Disposal Program Discarded electronics amounts to 20-50 million tons of waste annually. The average lifespan of electronics in developed countries is 2 year, as of 2005. Toxic chemicals are released in the breakdown of electronic waste. Developing nations are the ones who suffer as landfills fill to their maximum. As consumerism calls for an increase in the output of new technology almost daily the waste from outdated equipment is piling up in landfills around the globe. According to the organization Greenpeace, electronic waste accounts for between 20-50 tons of discarded materials annually, (Greenpeace, 2009). In 2005 if was rated that the average lifespan of computers was 2 years which means that every two years a computer is potential disposed of improperly. However, as the green movement begins to really spark fires in the campaigns to limit improper waste disposal permanent damage may already be beyond repair. In towns such as Guiyu, China electronic waste piles up due to the relatively lower price to break down the discarded parts. While the breakdown of electronic parts may be a business that generates $75 million for the town it is not without its own risks. The discarded circuit boards cause a lot of runoff problems for the local water supply. Also health reports from the region say that Guiyu's children suffer from an extremely high rate of lead poisoning, (Walsh, 2009). Businesses from the developed countries ship their waste to these remote towns due to their inexpensive costs even though most of these dumping practices are against their countries laws. More needs to be done to protect the people of these small towns who cannot fight for themselves. Electronic producing companies such as IBM have an obligation to the people their illegal dumping has affected to make sure that in the future electronic waste is either recycle or disposed of properly to avoid poisoning the populous and the water supply.

IBM’s Computer Recycling Program

Primary Objectives Create a globally renowned computer recycling program Develop an effective and efficient plan for the collection and disposal of recyclables Make program available globally Focus first on underdeveloped parts of the world and slowly expand The primary objectives of IBM’s computer recycling program are to develop a well-known recycling program that will give individuals and companies and outlet for unwanted or outdated computer hardware and accessories. An effective and efficient logistical plan will be devised that will handle the collection and disposal of these materials. IBM should make this program widely accessible in various parts of the world to ensure adaptability and compliance. The main focus at first will be emphasis on the underdeveloped parts of the world where illegal and hazardous dumping is prominent.

Features & Benefits Recycle outdated computer hardware and accessories FREE of charge to other companies Old parts can be recycled and reused Waste reduction in landfills Deterrence of illegal disposal of batteries and other hazardous materials in landfills Preserving the environment and alleviating the threats of our health, weather patterns and planetary eco-systems Recycling outdated computer hardware free of charge to other companies will ensure that they utilize IBM’s recycling program. IBM can use some of the old recyclable parts. Benefits of IBM’s computer recycling program include waste reduction and the deterrence of illegal disposal of batteries and other heavy metals that are toxic (Churchill, 2011). Americans recycle approximately one-fifth of the more than 300 million electronic items that they annually dispose of. While this equates to only 2 percent of America’s landfill trash, it makes up 70 percent of the toxic waste found in landfills (Nichols, 2011).

Why is this important to IBM? Positive outcome for the community Safe for community and atmosphere Reduction of lead and mercury in landfills Company appears ethically sound to external customers Follows government guidelines It is important to IBM to discover a positive and safe way to get rid of old and outdated computers or laptops. It is not only positive for the company but it is helpful to the community when there are fewer problems with their ozone. Some electronics contain a lot of lead and mercury that can be beneficial to the product; however, it is something that can be considered hazardous waste if not disposed of properly. Also, many states, cities and local counties have established guidelines for properly disposing of electronic waste (Kyrnin, n.d.). Therefore, by following the guidelines of the government and state laws, IBM will show to be a sound and ethically built company.

Why is it important to IBM? (cont.) Cost savings Credit future purchases of products Can Donate to charities for people/schools in need Tax Deductions Also, when companies dispose of their electronics properly there are cost saving rewards that can come back to IBM. For example, if IBM chose to trade out their products they may be able to exchange the parts for credits towards the purchase of a new product from the manufacturer (Krynin, n.d.). They may also choose to donate to charities or give to their products to local schools or people in need. These efforts are beneficial to both the environment and the community; which not only helps the company remain socially sound but can help in receiving tax deductions for donating (TIA, n.d.).

Call to Action By recycling old computers it helps keep toxic electronic waste out of landfills and waste streams Assures personal data and business electronic data is destroyed Shows the company is environmentally responsible Take the next step in business operations Accountability Companies today need to take better responsibility in how they treat their materials once they have been rendered useless. Although the government has some regulations in place to handle companies that deliberately pollute with electronic waste, it has problems actually enforcing these rules. If IBM electronic recycles on its own it will show the government as well as consumers it does care about the environment and be able to take its operations to the next level. In the end, every company needs to be held accountable for electronic recycling to prevent not just unwanted information from falling into the wrong hands but to save the environment as well. IBM now has the chance to step up to the plate and make a difference by accepting this program.

References Churchill, T. (2011, December 26). Recycle electronics as landfill ban looms. Herald & Review (Decatur, IL). Nichols, C. (2011, December 30). Electronic recycling events set across North County. North County Times (Escondido, CA). Greenpeace, 2009, Where does e-waste end up?, Greenpeace International, http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/electronic s/the-e-waste-problem/where-does-e-waste-end-up/. Walsh, B., 2009, Going Green: E-Waste Not, Time Magazine: Science, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1870485,00.html.

References Continued Kyrnin, M., (n.d.). Computer recycling: Properly disposing of older computers and parts. Retrieved from http://compreviews.about.com/od/general/a/PCRecyc ling.htm. TIA (n.d.). E-cycling central: Why is recycling important. Retrieved from http://www.ecyclingcentral.com/why.php. Call To Action. DeAnne Toto. November 2011. Article retrieved from http://www.recyclingtoday.com/0611- call-to-action.aspx.