Its energy efficient to rebuild old computers, but only about 2% of PCs ever find their way to a second user Did you know:

Participates in the Basel convention, however companies still send their waste illegally because it is 10 times cheaper In 2006, 50 containers containing 500,000 kg of e-waste destined for China and Hong Kong in the Port of Vancouver was discovered The 27 companies involved were fined $2,000 apiece Basel Convention: international treaty that addresses e-waste slow transfer of waste, however there is no international enforcement Places like China, Kenya and India- this creates jobs, 150,000 people in Guiyu, China alone are employed in the E-waste industry Places like China, Kenya and India- this creates jobs, 150,000 people in Guiyu, China alone are employed in the E-waste industry DYK: About 25 million TVs are taken out of service annually

Filter dust generated when taking apart electronics Noise emissions during manual and mechanical dismantling of waste (conveyor belts, hammer) Deviations from job safety standards Air pollution Emissions due to transportation of wastes Contamination of water and soil near landfills

DYK: the average lifespan of computers in developed countries has dropped from 6 years (1997) to just two years (2005)

Almost 60 elements on the periodic table are found in e-waste, here are a few:

CFC-Chloroflourocarbons PCB-polychlorinated biphenyls TBBA-tetrabromo-bisphenol-A PBB-polybrominated biphenyls PBDE-polybrominated diphenyl ethers Dioxins and Furans- 75 different types of dioxins, 135 related compounds (furans) PVC- polyvinyl chloride BFRs – brominated flame retardants