Regulations on E-Waste

E-waste refers to the mountains of everyday electrical and electronic devices--computers, cell phones, televisions, video game players and music devices--that pass daily from consumers' "had-to-have-it" hands into the world's disposal systems. Technology's rapid production of newer, better and faster models leads to millions of tons of discarded e-products annually. U.S. federal regulation is slight, allowing export of much of the waste materials to Africa and Asia for handling and recycling. Tons of e-waste still ends up in landfills, leading states to develop regulations of their own to protect the environment. As awareness of the problem grows, the emphasis is shifting to reuse or recycle.

Identification

• The world runs on gadgets. Some e-waste is obvious--computers, TVs, cellphones--but others are not so obvious, such as electric toothbrushes, alarm clocks, smoke alarms, hair dryers and other personal appliances replaced and discarded by the millions. As countries like China and India modernize, the e-waste piles up. Beneath the plastic and metal covers of these appliances that make life easier and more enjoyable are toxic and hazardous components, such as lead, arsenic, chromium, nickel, mercury and zinc, silver and gold. The millions of discarded computer chips and circuit boards alone release dangerous minerals and chemicals into the environment.

Significance

• What seems safe on the shelf in your den or office can turn toxic when tossed. Broken devices leak and contaminate. Toxic chemicals and minerals may seep into the water supply and, like mercury, can enter the food chain via plankton, fish and birds. Other e-waste by-products include arsenic, which can contribute to the incidence of cancer and other diseases; cadmium, which can affect bone structure; copper, which affects the kidney and liver; lead, which can poison the body and slow mental development; and even nickel, which can turn your skin blue with too much handling: a problem for recyclers.

Current Regulations

• A federal policy toward e-waste has not been developed. Federal regulations do not mandate e-waste recycling, though 19 states and one municipality (New York City) have developed policies requiring recycling of e-waste. Laws vary from regulation of what can go in a landfill to requiring that manufacturers include recycling costs in the production of the electronic device. Some states require consumers to pay a recycling fee in advance when purchases are made. Other states fund collection programs, allowing non-profit agencies to benefit from collecting e-waste and ensuring proper recycling and disposal.

  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does regulate on the federal level the disposal of items containing mercury and the disposal of cathode ray tubes, a greater problem with the disposal of old televisions due to the conversion to digital technology.

Corporate Response

• Corporations, including Dell, Apple, Hewlett Packard and Sony, are developing "take-back" programs. Customers can return old computers and devices when they replace them. The company recycles or even refurbishes the equipment to prolong the life and the components and lessen the impact to the environment.

Outlook

• The EPA encourages reuse as the best option, followed by recycling and disposal. Safe disposal of e-waste is possible, and hazardous waste dumps have been established. Regulations to require safer handling by recyclers are anticipated. Almost all recycling is done in foreign countries where the demand for the parts, minerals and even the plastic is greater. EPA regulates all exports of e-waste, whether hazardous or not.