Corporate E-Waste Recycling Programs Multiply, But Local Convenience Might Be Better

We're a throwaway society. So e-waste recycling becomes more and more important as we change computers and television sets ever faster. The disposal of electronics along with other household solid waste means that valuable materials go into the waste stream and often are buried in the landfill.

Experts say that the average household may now possess up to 24 electronic gadgets. Average computer life is estimated at 3 years and televisions at even less. These people obviously haven't visited my house, but that's another story altogether.

Another important factor is that some heavy metals used in electronics pose potential environmental risks. A computer monitor may well contain a couple of pounds of lead. Mercury in small amounts is found in flat panel computer monitors and laptop screens. And cadmium is found in batteries of some older laptops. Do we have your attention now?

Equally significant, it's just wasteful not to recycle when certain components of an item can be salvaged. For example, your old cell phone may contain copper, gold, tin, brass, zinc, and other surprising things. Not to mention that the plastic case can be recycled. So don’t just toss it in a drawer, thinking you'll use it sometime. Right.

Should Your Community Begin an E-Waste Recycling Program?

For communities, this is an important topic. After all, electronics represent about 2 percent of all solid waste, most of which is headed to a sanitary landfill. Less than 20 percent of U.S. electronics are recycled. And of that amount, as much as three-quarters might be sent outside the U.S., where recyclers may or may not operate on the basis of environmentally sound standards.

The more environmentally progressive communities may be pressured by residents to begin electronics recycling.

However, before you start down the e-waste recycling path, investigate the sheer number and ambition of programs sponsored by manufacturers and major retailers. That’s when you can call it to the attention of your citizens that many computer companies will take back their old computers. Also there are take-back programs free or at a modest cost for cell phones, televisions, laptops, digital cameras and camcorders, printers, scanners, projectors, binoculars, pagers, fax machines, game systems, PDAs, rechargeable batteries, and mp3 players. Many of the e-waste recycling programs of individual corporations only handle that company's old item, but some will take products of any manufacturer.

Many major retail chains offer free drop-off at their stores. At numerous U.S. post offices, you can mail back items such as iPods free; check it out.

For corporate e-waste recycling projects, see this electronics recycling program site. To find a local place to recycle electronics without the hassle of special mailers, we like this electronics recycling locator site.

Secondly, remember that re-use and waste reduction are always more environmentally sustainable than recycling. Invest a little effort in discovering local programs that pass old computers and televisions on to other users who would be glad to have slightly out-of-date equipment. Domestic violence programs often accept cell phone donations. Large corporations have been donating their outdated computers to schools for a number of years, but think more creatively. Point out to your citizens that it may be possible to sell operable items through an on-line auction also.

Suggest to your citizens that it's really not all that difficult to scrub your computer hard drive, to delete phone numbers and remove the SIM card from their cell phones, and to make sure that cameras and camcorders no longer have any photos in memory. A little on-line research provides quick and up-to-date information on how to do all of this.

If You Want Community Recycling to Handle Electronics

If your community takes all of this into account, and you still decide you want to add e-waste recycling to a municipal recycling effort, just make certain that your a commercial vendor acts responsibly and doesn’t simply strip out the most valuable components and dispose of the rest carelessly.

Ask the e-waste recycling vendor to explain the certifications they have earned. Something called the BAN Pledge of True Stewardship is the gold standard for this. If you get a blank stare when you ask about certifications, you might be just a step above a smart high school kid working in the garage.

The argument for local e-waste recycling is that, just like any form of recycling, the participation rate is higher when recycling is convenient. So weigh the factors before you decide. I’d try publicity about the many other avenues available for reuse and recycling first, but if your local waste stream continues to see about the same volume of electronics, take action.

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