Importance of Recycling Electronics

Electronics are somewhat of a necessity in the daily lives of Americans. Almost every home uses multiple computers, cell phones and televisions. The fast paced creation of new technology leads to a high turnover rate of electronic devices. Many older devices contain recyclable materials as well as toxic waste. Recycle these electronics correctly to avoid heath and environmental concerns that arise from improper disposal.

Electronics Create Toxic Waste

• Many electronic devices contribute to toxic waste when disposed of incorrectly. Classic tube televisions hold between 4 and 8 pounds of lead per television. If not recycled, this lead ends up in landfills, potentially leaking into water and surrounding soil. Older computer monitors also contain lead and the fluorescent lamp in the screen contains mercury. The circuit board contains both lead and cadmium, which is a human carcinogen. According to Earth 911, lead is also found in cellular phone casings, and older phones were made with Ni-Cd (nickel and cadmium) batteries. Newer batteries are often made with lithium, which can be explosive.

Electronics End Up in Landfills

• Disposed electronics make up approximately 2 percent of solid waste. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 40 million computers become "obsolete" in one year. In 2007 alone, 414,000 tons (18 percent) of electronics were collected for recycling, while 1.84 million tons (82 percent) were discarded--mainly in landfills. Earth 911 reports that as much as 70 percent of heavy metal and 40 percent of lead in landfills come from electronics.

Recycling Reduces Emissions

• Americans alone have compiled an estimated 3 billion electronic devices. Recycling electronics can greatly reduce the amount of harmful emissions that are released during manufacturing. According to the EPA, "Recycling one million desktop computers prevents the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to the annual emissions of 16,000 passenger cars."

How to Recycle Electronics

• The EPA has created a nationwide electronics recycling program called "eCycling." Through this program, many electronics manufacturers and retailers participate in a take-back program or host recycling events for used electronics. It is important that the recycling center is certified and follows industry standards. Some centers recycle only a small fraction of the device, while others recycle up to 90 percent.

  For privacy, computers, cell phones and other data storage devices should have the hard drive and memory erased before submitting the device to the recycling center.

Problems With Recycling Electronics

• If the recycling center is not certified or engages in unethical activities, the electronics may be shipped overseas for recycling. This causes both environmental and health concerns as the regulations for disposing of the devices are weak to non-existent overseas. Many people working in the overseas recycling center can end up with health concerns, such as cancer, from improper handling of toxic waste. In addition, the incorrect disposal often results in toxic waste leeching into nearby land, furthering the harmful effects.