THE BENEFITS OF RECYCLING ELECTRONICS By Annette Huffstead

Learning Objectives What is e-waste and e-cycling: An introduction to e-waste. The Dangers of e-waste. How to reduce e-waste by reusing and recycling. E-waste regulations. Information about where to recycle e-waste in your community. Reading materials related to e-waste.

Learning Objectives (continued) 6. How to start a recycling program in your community. This is intended for middle school age children, School Administration Staff, and Local Government

What is e-waste According to the California Integrated Waste Management Department E-waste is one of the fastest growing segment of the US waste stream. E-waste is broken electronics such as television, computers, and cell phone that are no longer in good useable condition.

The Dangers of e-waste It is important to discard of such waste properly because they can cause serious health problems as well as environmental problems Electronic equipments contains contaminants such as: lead, mercury, cadmium, beryllium, arsenic, nickel, silver, gold and brominates flame-retardants chemicals that can pose health risks (Toothman, 2008).

The Dangers of E-waste When electronics are intact they do not pose any harm to health or the environment. However, if they break they can pose a problem, because chemicals can then leak from these equipments. If they are disposed of improperly for example, dumped into landfills or thrown into the garbage or just dumped on the side of the road. It could eventually get into the ground,and released into the atmosphere, or possible get into the water supply (Toothman, 2008).

Possible Health Risk from e-waste Lead poisoning – can cause cognitive and verbal problems, long term exposure can lead to paralysis, coma and even death. Cadmium affects the body’s ability to metabolize calcium, which can lead to bone problems and cause fragile bones. Copper can irritate the throat and lungs, and can affect the liver, kidney and other body systems, (Toothman, 2008).

Possible health risk from e-waste CONT’D Chromium can cause skin irritation, rashes and is possible carcinogenic. Nickle is carcinogenic in large doses. Arsenic can disturb cell communication and interfere with the triggers that cause cells to grow. This can possible contribute to cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes if someone is exposed to chronic low doses (Toothman, 2008).

How to reduce e-waste by reusing and recycling First contact the manufacture of the product to see if they have a take back program. Today this has become very popular with manufactures. Some company such as Hewlett Packard, Dell, and Sony now offers take back programs. The products can also be dropped off to a legal e-waste recycling program in you area.

E-waste Regulations According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)to date there are no Federal law or mandates for e-waste recycling (EPA, 2008) Many States has instituted some mandates for e-waste recycling including the state of North Carolina. Additional information can be obtained from: National Electronics Recycling Infrastructure Clearing house.

Information about where to recycle e-waste in your community

Additional Information Related to e-waste Plug into e-Cycle Partners: Information can be found on the EPA website For old cell phones: Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, Dell, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Computers and computers accessories, Televisions: Manufactures, Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, and Dell Contact your local government office for additional information in your area.

Additional reading materials related to e-waste Green Gadget for Dummies by Joe Hutsko EPA website The National Resources Council of Maine http://www.nrcm.org/ewaste_facts.asp What is the Impact of E-Waste? (at issue Series) Computers and the Environment Understanding and Managing their Impact. Eco-Efficiency in Industry and Science By Ruediger Kuehr and Eric Williams Additional information can be obtained through the internet.

References Hutsko, J. (2009). Green Gadgets for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Inc. Toothman, J. (2008, October 30). How e- waste Works. doi: http://www.electronics.howstuffworks.com/ e-wastel.htm What is e-waste? (2008, June 13). Retrieved October 25, 2009. doi http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov