Disposal Practices Of Consumer Electronics
Friday, October 31st, 2008Consumer electronics run the gambit from personal computers and mobile phones, to MP3 players, televisions and wireless services. What most do not think about when considering purchasing electronics is what they will do with them once they break or are no longer valuable.
Every year, the United States alone generates almost 3 million tons of commodity and electronic waste (or e-waste) from the disposal of obsolete, defective or damaged devices. To get a better idea of where all that e-waste goes after it is thrown away and what it means to you and the environment, let’s do some investigation.
bluetooth phones
Because of the difficulty and cost of recycling electronics, as well as spotty enforcement of legislation regarding e-waste exports, vast amounts of used electronics have been sent to countries such as China, Kenya and India.
Lower environmental standards and working conditions make processing e-waste more profitable yet dangerously hazardous in those countries. Being mindful of e-waste disposal is a big concern. There are facilities out there that specifically deal with this hazardous material correctly.
When bluetooth phones are handled and sorted properly, e-waste is a valuable source of secondary raw materials. However, they are a major contributor of toxins and carcinogens when clumsily treated.
cordless phone batteries
Fast paced technology changes, low initial cost and actual planned obsolescence have given way to a growing problem around the globe. Uncontrolled burning, disassembly without safety measures in place, and haphazard disposal practices are causing environmental and health problems.
Waste from consumer electronics like cordless phone batteries contains PCBs, cadmium, mercury and lead. Those substances are highly toxic and carcinogenic. When carelessly handled, they can contaminate our food and water supply and enter our food chain.
Burning of these products causes toxic fumes to be emitted. This furthers the depletion of the ozone, as well as creating the potential of inhalation by humans and animals. PCBs have been shown to cause cancer, while cadmium, lead and mercury affect the central nervous system, which can cause cell damage and renal failure.
voip services
Think about it the next time you indiscriminately throw away those cordless phone batteries or that camcorder that is older than your parents. Proper disposal through an e-waste recycler helps save our environment.
With the potential for mercury, cadmium and lead leaching into the soil and contaminating the food chain, as well as PCB exposure causing cancer, some thoughtful consideration of use, reuse and disposal of consumer electronics is essential.