E-waste, or electronic waste, is a growing social issue around the world. Many components in electronic devices pose hazardous disposal problems. Devices that contain toxic elements such as lead, mercury and nickel can contaminate soil and drinking water.
It is not uncommon for developed nations to transfer their discarded computers, cell phones and other electronic devices to developing countries where they remain in makeshift landfills.
In recent years we’ve seen increased media coverage of “digital dumps” in Africa and China. The same hazardous components that can contaminate soil and drinking water are often mined for profit in developing countries.
The powerful images taken by investigative reporters have caught the attention of gadget hungry countries. People feel compelled to take action so their forgotten devices do not damage lives or the planet.
1. Buy Responsibly
A factor to consider before you purchase a new device is whether its company will take it back and recycle it.
Companies like Dell, Apple, Nokia, Motorola and HP offer takeback recycling services for their products. You simply complete an online form, print a shipping label and send your equipment back to them for recycling and processing.
For a more comprehensive list of for manufacturer and retailer recycling programs please visit this site.
2. Support Legislation
The Electronic Waste Research and Development Act (H.R. 1580) has passed the US House of Representatives and its companion S. 1397 is in a US Senate committee waiting for a vote. This legislation would promote the research and development of e-waste recycling programs.
Legislation varies from state-to-state, and some states are ahead of others in their efforts to address e-waste. The people at the Electronics TakeBack Coalition offer information on e-waste legislation across the US, and they have a State Legislation Toolkit that you can use to inform your local elected officials.
3. Drop Off or Donate
You may also drop off your old equipment at retailers like Best Buy, Office Depot and Staples for recycling.
In 2008, the US Postal Service started a free e-waste recycling pilot program. Select post offices will offer free postage paid envelopes for inkjet cartridges, PDAs, Blackberries, digital cameras, iPods and MP3 players. As of 2008, 1500 post offices across the US participated in this program; a quick call to your local branch could make recycling easier.
You may also consider donating your devices to a local non-profit organization by performing a quick query through TechSoup to see if there is a group in your area that is accepting device donations.
Websites such as Earth 911, My Green Electronics, Call2Recycle and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offer handy postal code lookups and maps for quickly locating an e-waste recycler near you.
4. Investigate
It’s important to know where and how your electronic waste will be processed and stored.
The Basel Action Network (BAN) is a Seattle based charitable organization focused on confronting the devastating impacts of toxic trade.
BAN has worked to create a rigorous set of standards for e-recyclers called the Electronic Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship (pdf). These standards are one of the first steps toward creating accountability and environmentally sustainable practices for e-recyclers around the world.
You may find a comprehensive list of those who have agreed to this pledge on the e-Stewards website.
As always, remember to be curious and ask your e-waste recyclers questions. Will your items be processed domestically or internationally? Will they be processed in an environmentally conscious way?
The details and answers you receive can help you understand the process and know if this recycler best represents your values.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sneak046 / CC BY-SA 2.0
