New smartphones, TVs and laptops enter the marketplace at an ever-quickening pace, and many gadget-loving consumers feel compelled to have the latest and greatest with the most buzz. As a result, they find themselves with a growing stash of gizmos in need of disposal.
Trashed computers, TVs and other gadgets make up the fastest-growing municipal waste stream in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As much as 80 percent of electronic waste goes out with the trash, the EPA estimates, while only about 20 percent is properly recycled.
“Everyone has e-waste. Whether it’s your mom who has three cellphones in her desk or your dad who owns the largest corporation in the world,” said John Shegerian, the CEO of Electronic Recyclers International, which handles a large amount of recycled electronics. Overall, the recycling industry accounts for $236 billion in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Recycling Economic Information Study commissioned by the EPA.
Recycling of many materials – such as glass, paper and plastics – is common practice for many Americans. Yet, when eco-conscious people want to winnow down a growing stash of unneeded tech products, how do they do that in an environmentally friendly way?
Many gadgets have toxic materials in them that might be released in a landfill or when burned in an incinerator, said Barbara Kyle, national coordinator for the Electronics Take-Back Coalition.
Awareness of the e-waste problem has grown, prompting about half the states to pass some sort of e-waste recycling law. But consumers who want to get rid of unwanted devices properly have a growing list of options:
» Recycling manufacturers: Companies such as LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony have joined the Consumer Electronic Association’s eCycling Leadership Initiative, announced in April, which aims to recycle one billion pounds of electronics annually by 2016, up from the 300 million pounds of electronics recycled in 2010.
For a list of dozens of companies that accept products for recycling go to: http://digitaltips.org/green/default.asp.
» Recycling retailers: Retailers such as Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples and Target accept many products for recycling at their stores. For free, a small fee or a monetary incentive, these stores serve as pick-up spots for discarded consumer electronics, with the ultimate goal of reducing this growing form of waste. You can use 1800RECYCLING.com to find a location near you.
The discarded cellphones, TVs, laptops and computers are then brought to an electronic recycling plant, such as one of ERI’s seven locations, which recycles about 160 million pounds of e-waste annually, for salvaging.
Source: Coloradoan.com
By Rachel Roubein and Mike Snider