Recycling E-Waste
Tossing millions of computers, TVs, and cell phones into landfills poses serious health and environmental risks. Electronic equipment contains toxic materials, including lead, cadmium, and mercury, that may leak into the soil and ground water when disposed of in landfills. In fact, the average CRT computer monitor contains four to eight pounds of lead on average. Keeping these and other materials found in electronic products, including precious metals and plastics, out of landfills also means they can be recycled, which conserves natural resources.
To understand the e-waste recycling process, it’s important to understand that e-waste recyclers are interested in both saving these devices from landfills as well as getting the most value out of these materials. Electronics such as computers and televisions are made with some valuable metals, including copper and gold, which can be sold and then reused in alternative capacities.
From an environmental standpoint, the fact that these items are reused is far more important than any monetary benefits of recovering these valuable materials. However, e-waste recyclers are also recycling and reusing materials that aren’t nearly as valuable.
In general, as much as 99 percent of all materials from electronics are reused in a different capacity or sold. The vast majority of these materials are used for new electronic items because some of the material, such as the plastic, is already the right grade for electronic devices.
The material from electronics can be used for other products, such as plastic components that are used in the manufacturing of lighters or wood composites.
The other big issue regarding e-waste recycling is the end result for its hazardous materialsTossing millions of computers, TVs, and cell phones into landfills poses serious health and environmental risks. Electronic equipment contains toxic materials, including lead, cadmium, and mercury, that may leak into the soil and ground water when disposed of in landfills. In fact, the average CRT computer monitor contains four to eight pounds of lead on average. Keeping these and other materials found in electronic products, including precious metals and plastics, out of landfills also means they can be recycled, which conserves natural resources.
To understand the e-waste recycling process, it’s important to understand that e-waste recyclers are interested in both saving these devices from landfills as well as getting the most value out of these materials. Electronics such as computers and televisions are made with some valuable metals, including copper and gold, which can be sold and then reused in alternative capacities.
From an environmental standpoint, the fact that these items are reused is far more important than any monetary benefits of recovering these valuable materials. However, e-waste recyclers are also recycling and reusing materials that aren’t nearly as valuable.
In general, as much as 99 percent of all materials from electronics are reused in a different capacity or sold. The vast majority of these materials are used for new electronic items because some of the material, such as the plastic, is already the right grade for electronic devices.
The material from electronics can be used for other products, such as plastic components that are used in the manufacturing of lighters or wood composites.
including mercury. While e-waste only accounts for two percent of the U.S.’ garbage in landfills, it accounts for 70 percent of overall toxic garbage.
For e-waste recyclers, removing toxic materials is just as important as removing the most valuable materials, like gold and copper. For example, to remove the lead in computer monitor glass, the glass is placed in a furnace where the lead can be taken out.
For e-waste recyclers, removing toxic materials is just as important as removing the most valuable materials, like gold and copper. For example, to remove the lead in computer monitor glass, the glass is placed in a furnace where the lead can be taken out.
