Perks of recycling E Waste
Perks of recycling E Waste
Recently, someone emailed asking why E-waste recycling was important. Thought we would share:
What are the dangers of having E-waste deposited in landfills?
E-waste is dangerous to deposit into Solid Waste landfills because of the heavy metals contained in them. All the circuitry uses trace amounts of these materials that may not be hazardous on an individual basis, but we are landfilling tons and tons of these materials together. Like other Hazardous materials going into these landfills, the cumulative effect will be dangerous. Solid Waste Landfills are built to handle banana peels, and other non-toxic materials; not this toxic-soup.
E-waste is dangerous to deposit into Solid Waste landfills because of the heavy metals contained in them. All the circuitry uses trace amounts of these materials that may not be hazardous on an individual basis, but we are landfilling tons and tons of these materials together. Like other Hazardous materials going into these landfills, the cumulative effect will be dangerous. Solid Waste Landfills are built to handle banana peels, and other non-toxic materials; not this toxic-soup.
Is there currently an abundance of E-waste present in landfills?
We barely have successful recycling efforts in many parts of the state, much less for these materials. Some landfills have diversion plans at the landfills, but not across all landfills. This is also a problem in most parts of the world, especially where environmental laws are weak.
We barely have successful recycling efforts in many parts of the state, much less for these materials. Some landfills have diversion plans at the landfills, but not across all landfills. This is also a problem in most parts of the world, especially where environmental laws are weak.
Why is it important to our environment for people to find alternate ways of disposing E-waste?
We will have to deal with these materials at some point. Either we deal with them now to divert a usable resource into a recovery market that exists and can be economically rewarding. Or, we dispose of them in the landfills and will have to deal with the breakdown of liners and barriers, one day, and increase filtration needs of water, and possible other contaminants to our natural resources.
We will have to deal with these materials at some point. Either we deal with them now to divert a usable resource into a recovery market that exists and can be economically rewarding. Or, we dispose of them in the landfills and will have to deal with the breakdown of liners and barriers, one day, and increase filtration needs of water, and possible other contaminants to our natural resources.
What avenues do local vendors provide people for recycling their E-waste?
Several of the larger retail stores are now offering exchange programs. Some communities offer collection days throughout the year. The Downtown Birmingham Recycling Center serves as a collection point for Technical Knock Out, accepting all E-waste except for Computer monitors and TV's. TKO also hosts E-waste collection drives throughout the area at different times.
Several of the larger retail stores are now offering exchange programs. Some communities offer collection days throughout the year. The Downtown Birmingham Recycling Center serves as a collection point for Technical Knock Out, accepting all E-waste except for Computer monitors and TV's. TKO also hosts E-waste collection drives throughout the area at different times.
It is easier to process these materials now than it will be for our children. Many programs do a great job of keeping these toxic materials out of local landfills and into recyclable markets in different pats of the world. Taking a little extra effort to deliver E-waste to a proper collection is worth the effort to our natural resources and our children's future.