THE BENEFITS OF RECYCLING ELECTRONICS
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Transcript of THE BENEFITS OF RECYCLING ELECTRONICS
Slide 1
By Annette Huffstead
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.
6. How to start a recycling program in your community.
This is intended for middle school age children, School
Administration Staff, and Local Government
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.
It is important to discard of such waste properly because they
can cause serious health problems as well as environmental
problemsElectronic 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).
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).
Lead poisoning can cause cognitive and verbal problems, long
term exposure can lead to paralysis, coma and even death.Cadmium
affects the bodys 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).
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).
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.
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.
Plug into e-Cycle Partners: Information can be found on the EPA
websiteFor 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 DellContact your local government office for additional
information in your area.
Green Gadget for Dummies by Joe HutskoEPA websiteThe National
Resources Council of Maine http://www.nrcm.org/ewaste_facts.aspWhat
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
WilliamsAdditional information can be obtained through the
internet.
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