RECYCLING AT WORK
According to the EPA, for the period of 2006-07, the following figures* show the recycling rates for a variety of everday electronic devices:
(millions of units)
(millions of units)
(millions of units)
(by Weight)Computer products include CPUs, monitors, notebooks, keyboards, mice and hard copy peripherals.
In 2005, prior to some states starting mandatory collection and recycling programs for electronics, the figures were even worse.
According to a recent edition of "60 Minutes" feature "The Wasteland" (Aired August 30, 2009) a lot of US electronic refuse is illegally shipped to China where it is harming the environment and the people.
Alternatives are obviously required.
Preventing waste in the first place is preferable to any waste management option but if you are unable to recycle your electronic products, safe disposal is paramount.
On their web site, the EPA provides links to various programs and tools to help you donate or recycle your old computers and other electronic products
Another option is Gazelle.com. On their web site Gazelle.com promises "to provide a practical, rewarding way for people to finally rid themselves of all those old cell phones, digital cameras and gaming systems that they no longer use, but cant seem to find a way to let go of."
According to Gazelle.com, "Too often when people think of recycling, they rush straight to smashing things into bits for parts. We believe that reuse should always come first. If your GPS unit still works, why not keep it in circulation AND get paid for it? If reusing isn't in the cards, then let us recycle that vintage camcorder. We think of it as ReCommerce."
Here is how the Gazelle Program works:
Alternatively, you might want to consider these "recycling" ideas:
* http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/manage.htm
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