Where Does America’s E-Waste End Up?
Understanding what happens to electronics when we throw them away should concern us, as they become more and more common in our daily lives. All too often, landfills receive more waste than recycling centers. eCycle Florida is committed to preventing this.
Here’s why:
No Federal Laws for E-Waste Disposal
Federal laws do not mandate that businesses and individuals recycle e-waste. In some states there are laws that aim to reduce the amount of e-waste that is thrown into landfills. It’s also illegal in certain states to not recycle electronics. There is little regulation at the federal level regarding electronic devices like cell phones, computers and other similar items.
Hazardous Chemicals and Metals
Circuit boards, and other components contain hazardous metals and chemicals that can leach from landfills into waterways. Plastics released from the burning components can release toxic chemicals such as dioxins. The impacts of e-waste in water and air can have a negative impact on the health of those living and working near it. This includes lead poisoning, respiratory illness, and cancer.
Large items occupying landfills
While smartphones and personal devices are shrinking, large electronic devices such as video cameras, DVD Players, Televisions, and Desktop Computers occupy a significant amount of landfill space. Metals and circuit boards from these devices can be reused to create new products and in other creative ways when consumers take them to recycling centers.
The landfills also contain large household items such as kitchen appliances, toys and power tools.
Some people claim that irreparable electronic waste cannot be recycled. This is not true. ITAD firms can remove chemicals and metals from e-waste so that they can be reused in other places. Artists and designers can repurpose broken parts, such as circuit boards and covers.
Mining Processes that Slow Down
Nearly all electronic devices contain metals such as gold, copper, and silver. It is wasteful to not recycle precious metals because the planet only has a limited amount. Mining companies must use more water, energy and natural resources when metals are not recycled.
Server Equipment Recycling allows companies to avoid using environmentally damaging mining practices in order to replace gold, silver, copper and palladium. These practices pollute air and water. Innovative companies could use safer technologies to remove the metals from devices and slow down new mining.
When e-waste, such as electronic waste, is not recycled, it can pollute the soil and groundwater with harmful metals and chemicals, including lead and mercury.
Shipment of E-Waste to Other Countries
Millions of tons of electronic waste are generated in the United States each year. The majority of e-waste is processed in other countries, rather than in the United States. Recycling companies in the US ship e-waste to other countries, which remove valuable metals and components for use in new products.
The cost of shipping e-waste abroad negates some of its benefits. Most of the e-waste is shipped to China, which has lower labor costs and more lax federal laws than in the US. By doing the same job within the US, the US could save natural resources and money while strengthening its economy.
Processing E-Waste for New Products
Separating the metals and plastics from the outer and interior components is the first step in processing e-waste. In order to make this worthwhile, the companies must choose methods that will make these components valuable for other manufacturers. By shredding and removing the plastic, other manufacturers can use it to create new products.
Companies need workers with the ability to separate valuable commodities from recyclables. This is often done on a conveyor or using a magnet to separate the iron and steel from circuit boards and other components.
The companies will then have to find a way to separate the copper, gold, and silver from the eWaste. Water is used by many to separate plastics, glass and other materials. Water separation technology allows companies to use reclaimed waters, reducing their reliance on natural resources.
eCycle Florida Helps Keep E-Waste in the Right Place
Many electronic components are made with chemicals and metals which are harmful to the environment. These include mercury, lead and cadmium. These substances can be toxic neurotoxins or cause lung damage if inhaled. E-waste, when improperly disposed, introduces toxic chemicals to the air and water we breathe.
E-waste can be just as harmful to the economy. It wastes precious resources, and increases the scarcity of materials (and therefore the price). E-waste recycling can be critical for anyone who cares about the environment and economy of future generations.
Contact eCycle Florida and help us create a better future.
This post was written by Steven Elia Co-Founder and Recycling Director at eCycle Florida. eCycle Florida is a R2 Certified electronics recycling company in the state of Florida. Our processes and procedures are dedicated to the proper destruction and recycling of your electronics. eCycle Florida is your go-to for Pinellas County electronics recycling.
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