Creating a Sustainable Approach to Electronic Waste

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), electronic waste—also called e-waste, e-scrap, or end-of-life electronics—refers to electronic devices that are no longer useful and are discarded, donated, or recycled.

The use of electronic equipment has grown substantially over the past two decades, as has the waste those electronics generated. The EPA estimates that, in 2009, consumers and businesses within the United States discarded televisions, computers, cell phones, and hard copy peripherals (including printers, scanners, faxes) totaling 2.37 million tons. Approximately 25% of these electronics were collected for recycling, with the remainder disposed of primarily in landfills, where precious metals and other valuable materials that might be contained within the electronics can no longer be recovered.

The EPA raises several serious public health and environmental concerns regarding the handling of e-waste. For example, open-air burning and acid baths used to recover valuable materials from electronic components can expose workers to harmful substances. There is also the chance that toxic materials from old electronics can leach into the environment and expose workers to substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic, all of which can lead to irreversible health effects, including cancers, miscarriages, neurological damage, and diminished IQs.

However, according to the EPA, adopting the practices of good electronic stewardship can reduce the harm caused from unsafe handling of e-waste, strengthen domestic and international markets for viable and functional used electronic products, and prevent health and environmental threats in the U.S. and abroad.

To create a long-term sustainable approach to e-waste, the EPA suggests taking the following steps:

1. Reuse or donate electronics

The best way to handle waste is to not create it in the first place. Preventing waste is preferable to any waste management option, including recycling. Donating used (but still operating) electronics for reuse extends the lives of valuable products and keeps them out of the waste stream for a longer period of time. Donations also allows schools, nonprofit organizations, and lower-income families to obtain equipment that they might not otherwise afford. Businesses can also take advantage of tax incentives for donated computer equipment.

2. Recycle electronics

If the electronics cannot be repaired or reused, businesses can send their e-waste to be recycled. Recycling electronics helps reduce pollution that would be generated while manufacturing a new product and the need to extract valuable, limited virgin resources for its production. Electronic recycling also reduces the energy used in new product manufacturing. Visit EPA’s website to learn more regarding the do’s and don’ts of recycling electronics. 

3. Buy green

Being environmentally responsible with electronics means not only disposing obsolete equipment properly, but also purchasing new equipment that has been designed with sustainably preferable attributes. Examples of green electronics include those that are energy efficient, have an extended product life, and contain recycled content. Visit EPA’s website to learn more about green electronics.