Electronic waste is unwanted computers, monitors, televisions, audio equipment, printers and other home electronic devices. Technological advances for all electronic equipment, particularly computers, quickly render them obsolete. More than 20 million personal computers became obsolete in 1998. Only about 14% were reused or recycled, while most were disposed of or remain in storage.
The question of what to do with used electronic equipment is an urgent one. Consider that more than 63 million personal computers are projected to be retired in 2003, according to a 1999 National Safety Council report. The average life span of a Pentium-class computer is currently about 2-3 years and falling. Electronics that break often are not repaired due to the relatively low price of replacement equipment. When the equipment breaks or becomes obsolete, it is commonly discarded. But there are other options…read on to find out more.
Are Electronics Hazardous Waste?
From Home — Household waste is exempt from the federal regulations governing hazardous waste per 40CFR261.4(b)(1). Thus if the electronics are from home use then they are not hazardous waste by federal definition. HOWEVER, states and municipalities may have stricter regulations that ban household hazardous waste and specifically electronics. Even if the state or municipality allows landfilling of household hazardous waste including electronics, many offer FREE programs to collect and properly manage the waste to protect the human health and the environment.
§Check out this page for a state-by-state listing of environmental agencies and health departments, and any e-waste legislation your state may have in the works.
From Work — Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) in televisions and computer monitors usually exhibit the toxicity characteristic for lead, thus most are Hazardous Waste if discarded into a landfill or waste-to-energy plant (incinerator). However in states like Florida, if CRTs or CRT glass is resold, repaired, or recycled (via the glass-to-glass route into new CRTs; use as a substitute for virgin silica-based fluxing agent in secondary lead smelters; and into various niche products that require leaded glass as a component), it is considered to be material, not waste, per 40 CFR 261.2(e)(1)(ii). And if it is a material it is not a waste, thus it is not a hazardous waste. So recycle your CRTs!
§Click here for more regarding the testing and research to determine if CRTs are hazardous waste.
Why Are Discarded Electronics Potentially Harmful?
Electronic equipment contains metals and other materials that can become hazardous to human health and the environment if they are not properly managed.
Cadmium — The largest source of cadmium in municipal waste is rechargeable nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, commonly found in laptop computers.
Lead — Monitors and televisions contain a picture tube known as a cathode ray tube (CRT). The CRTs contain leaded glass, and are the largest source of lead in municipal waste.
Mercury — Electronic waste is a leading source of mercury in municipal waste.
Additionally, discarded electronic equipment is a concern because electronics are made with valuable resources such as precious metals, engineered plastics, glass and other materials, all of which require energy to manufacture. When equipment is thrown away, these resources cannot be recovered and additional pollution will be generated to manufacture new products out of virgin materials.
What Can I Do About It?
Reduce — Maintain and keep equipment as long as possible.
A typical computer’s life span is 2-3 years, but can be extended by 1-2 years with some upgrading.
Buy a good monitor; it can last 6-7 years or more. Keep it for use with your next computer.
Consider leasing a computer so you can trade it in at expiration of the lease. Check out more information on manufacturer leasing programs and
Always use a surge protector power strip with all electronic equipment.
Reuse — A computer of recent vintage can often be refurbished and reused.
View the links and searchable computer reuser/recycler databases like Earth 911.
Recycle — Electronic equipment can be recycled for recovery of metals, plastics, glass and other materials.
You can ship your equipment directly to a recycler.
You can also take advantage of manufacturer trade-ins to get a credit towards a new equipment purchase.
Electronic products have dramatically changed and improved the way we live. Consumer demand for new and innovative technologies has never been greater. There is concern that demand for the latest technical advancement will result in rapid obsolescence and the generation of large volumes of used or discarded electronic products. There is also concern that ultimate disposal of “end of life” electronics may pose environmental risks due to the presence of chemicals, such as lead and mercury. Electronic products offer significant reuse and recycling opportunities. The reuse and recycling of end of life electronics will minimize any possible negative impacts that waste electronics may pose for the environment by reducing the need for product disposal. Reuse and recycling also provide added environmental benefits in the form of energy and resource conservation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked waste management activities according to their environmental impact. The Agency promotes source reduction (including reuse) first, followed by recycling and composting, with disposal options last.
How Do I Determine Whether To Reuse Or Recycle My Used Electronics?
Product reuse is often the most environmentally beneficial and economically efficient outcome since reuse eliminates the need for processing, which may produce by-products requiring disposal. First, you must assess the equipment. What type of equipment is it and how old is it? If you have a computer that is working and contains a Pentium 166 or PowerMac 7200/120 (or newer) chip, the computer is suitable for direct reuse. If the computer cannot be directly reused due to age or technical obsolescence, it may be possible to refurbish and repair the product to make it suitable for reuse. Some repair shops will take 1993 and newer color monitors without screen burn and any type of Computer Processing Unit since these items have positive cash value. If the product is unsuitable for refurbishment or repair, the product may contain parts that can be reused in other products. If none of these options are possible, recycling is the best management option if local opportunities exist.
Why Is Lead Used In Electronics?
Lead is used in most electronics because it is uniquely capable of meeting the stringent performance standards required by current technology. Tin-lead solder is primarily used to connect electronic components because of its flexibility and durability under normal and extreme condition of use. In addition, displays or picture tubes found in televisions, computer monitors and other products (known as cathode ray tubes, or CRTs) contain leaded glass to protect users from exposure to harmful radiation that is normally generated by the picture tube. The total amount of lead used by the electronic industry comprises a very small amount of total societal lead usage (less than 0.5%).
Why Is Mercury Used In Electronics?
Some electronic products, such as laptop computers, digital cameras, and flat panel televisions, contain small mercury-containing lamps that provide energy-efficient illumination. Currently, there is no cost-effective alternative to mercury-containing lamps in electronic products. Mercury-containing lamps reduce the amount of energy used by the laptop.
What Is The Electronics Industry Doing To Minimize Chemicals Of Concern Used In Electronics?
Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and its members are taking the lead to ensure that when electronic products are designed, they are designed in ways that minimize their overall impact on the environment to the extent technologically feasible and consistent with performance and safety requirements.
What Is The Electronics Industry Doing To Address The End-Of-Life Electronics Issue?
The U.S. electronic industry has aggressively deployed a series of initiatives designed to preserve and protect the environment by taking actions that minimize environmental impacts of electronic products across their entire product life cycle. The Electronic industries Association (EIA) calls this program EIAs Product Ecology Initiative. For additional information, click here.
What Should Be Done To Increase The Reuse And Recycling Of Used Electronics? Everyone has a role to play in promoting the increased reuse and recycling of used electronics, including manufacturers, local governments, the recycling industry, and private citizens. Because the electronics industry has the expertise to design and manufacture products, its primary focus is to keep end-of-life considerations in mind at the design stage. This promotes the increased reuse and recycling of used electronics by lowering recycling costs and enhancing reuse capabilities. Examples include designing products for disassembly and for upgrade potential.
The electronics reuse and recycling issue is a complex one that will require the work and commitment of all stakeholders. EIA is currently working in collaborative fashion with stakeholders in many states to address this issue in a manner that will result in the most efficient and cost-effective solutions.