Electronic Waste: What happens to our electronic equipment later? Video showing e-waste in China.

What is electronic waste? Televisions, Computer equipment, Stereo equipment, VCR/DVD players, Video equipment, Telephones, Cell phones, Wireless devices, Fax/Copy machines, mp3 equipment, video game consoles. What is electronic waste? http://www.epa.gov/region01/solidwaste/electronic/ http://www.crra.com/ewaste/ttrash2/ttrash2/

Why is it a concern? The amount of e-waste is increasing 2-3 times faster than any other type of waste. E-waste contains many hazardous materials including: Lead Cadmium Mercury Hexavalent Chromium Plastics Brominated flame retardants Barium Beryllium Hexavalent Chromium passes through cell membranes and damages DNA. Brominated flame retardants damage liver and reproductive cells. Beryllium is carcinogenic (primarily causing lung cancer) and causes skin diseases. Lead is found in computer monitors and solder in circuit boards. Mercury is found in sensors, relays, switches, flat panel monitors and batteries. Cadmium is found in chip resistors, semiconductor chips and is a plastic stabilizer. Barium is used to shield radiation from monitors. Plastics (especially PVC) produce dioxin (a carcinogen) when burned. Lead damages the brain and nervous systems, blood systems, kidney and reproductive systems. Cadmium accumulates in the kidneys and damages filtering processes. Brominated flame retardants are used in casings to prevent flammability. Mercury damages many organs including the brain and kidneys. Beryllium is used to conduct electricity, in motherboards and to strengthen connectors. Hexavalent Chromium is used to prevent corrosion. Plastics are used in cabling and computer housings. Barium damages the heart, liver and other muscles.

Where does most of our e-waste eventually go? E-waste is banned in most of Europe and the U.S. Most of it is being shipped to developing countries where poor residents (adults and children) separate the materials in order to sell back metals. Video in India. Much of our electronic equipment is not made in the U.S. Working conditions elsewhere provide little protection to the employees. Video in Mexico.

What happens with our e-waste? In 2002, the European Union began requiring manufacturers to pay the entire cost of recycling the electronic equipment they produce. This is not required in the U.S. Only 6% of electronic equipment in the U.S. is recycled. Americans dispose of millions of tons of e-waste every year (eventually ending up in foreign dumps or U.S. landfills).

What can we do with our e-waste? For electronic equipment that is still working and less than 5 years old, donate this equipment! For older or non-working electronic equipment, responsibly recycle this equipment. There are certified recyclers in the U.S. Typically it costs $20 - $50 to recycle electronic equipment. Support the Basel Convention – a treaty signed by every developed country except for the U.S. – This treaty regulates the movement of hazardous waste across international borders. The goal is to limit the dumping of hazardous waste from wealthier countries into poorer countries.