E-Waste

What is E-Waste?

E-Waste consists of discarded electronics such as:

• Computers
• Office equipment
• Entertainment devices
• Mobile phones, 
• Televisions
• Refrigerators
• And more

These electronics are improperly thrown into the garbage and sent to landfills or burned. Over the past decade, the amount of e-waste has increased exponentially due to the growing popularity of technology and the constant updating of new software causing people to replace their old devices with new ones. 

Why is it an issue?

E-waste isn't just any old trash. It contains toxic substances such as:

•  Lead
•  Mercury 
• Arsenic 
• Cadmium 
• Beryllium

 When the waste is burnt to dispose of it, the toxins are let into the air. These toxins have been proven to cause numerous diseases such as cancer, reproductive disorders, and endocrine disorders among others. Some of the toxins do not even break down, but rather accumulate in the food chain and biosphere. The high number of toxins present a risk to the community and the ecosystem. 

Facts about E-Waste

• E-waste is equal to 2% of trash in landfills but 70% of overall waste
• Every year, phones containing over $60 million worth of gold or silver are thrown into the trash
• Only 12.5% of E-waste is currently recycled
• E-waste is the fastest growing municipal waste stream in the US
• The United States' E-waste ends up in Africa, India, and China
• Global E-waste is supposed to grow 8% per year

How can you help?

Reduce: 

Instead of always buying the brand new gadgets as they come out, wait until your old electronics are not working well anymore. Take better care of them if you're one to always break your phone or other device. That way you won't have to constantly get new ones. You'll also be saving yourself a lot of money in doing so. 

Reuse:

Maybe you don't want that old iPhone 4 anymore but there are plenty of people out there that do. Think about donating your phone or even trading it in. Goodwill has a program where they donate or sell computers and other technology to aid the community in job training and building employment opportunities. There are also programs like Cell Phone for Soldiers, March of Dimes, and Keep America Beautiful that collect cell phones for those who need them. 

Recycle

There are many organizations out there today that will take your old electronics and recycle them properly. They ensure that they are sent to proper facilities that can handle these electronics and know how to safely dispose of them. Check out locations near you