what is e-waste?

E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life." Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled. Unfortunately, electronic discards is one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's waste stream. In addition, some researchers estimate that nearly 75 percent of old electronics are in storage, in part because of the uncertainty of how to manage the materials. Combine this with increasing advances in technology and new products headed towards the market and it is no wonder that "e-waste" is a popular topic.

why electronics should be recycled?

Most electronic devices contain a variety of materials, including metals, that can be recovered for recycling. g your waste electronics saves resources and protects the Earth because new metals don't have to be mined. In addition, some electronic products contain high enough levels of certain materials, such as lead, that render them hazardous waste when disposed. For instance, California law designates waste televisions and monitors as hazardous. Hazardous wastes cannot be disposed with municipal trash.

what is california doing about it?

On September 24, 2003, landmark legislation established a funding system for the collection and recycling of certain electronic wastes. Key elements of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 that affect product consumers include:

• The collection of an electronic waste recycling fee at the retail point of sale of covered products.
• Requirements on manufacturers to provide consumer information regarding recycling opportunities.

The intent of this program is to enhance the availability of convenient recycling options for consumers so that products containing toxic compounds are not disposed of inappropriately.

other facts about e-waste.

Here is a list of facts about e-waste that you've probably never thought about:

• According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 1997 more than 3.2 million tons of E-waste ended up in US landfills. In a new report for the EPA, analysts estimate that the amount of E-waste in US landfills will grow fourfold in the next few years."
• "Electronic waste already constitutes from 2% to 5% of the US municipal solid waste stream and is growing rapidly."
• "Analysts estimate that more than 6000 computers become obsolete in California every day. They are either tossed out with the trash and subsequently landfilled by trash collectors - often illegally - or stored in attics and garages for a later day when they will be dumped."
• "The crisis continues to grow. Studies estimate that the number of obsolete computers in the United States will soon be as high as 315 to 680 million units. By the year 2005, one computer will become obsolete for every new computer put on the market."
• "Each computer or television display contains an average of 4 to 8 pounds of lead. The 315 million computers that became obsolete between 1997 and 2004 contain a total of more than 1.2 billion pounds of lead. Monitor glass contains about 20% lead by weight. When these components are disposed and crushed in landfills, the lead is released into the environment, posing a hazardous legacy for current and future generations. Consumer electronics already constitute 40% of lead found in landfills. About 70% of the heavy metals, including mercury and other hazardous substances found in electronics can contaminate groundwater and pose other environmental and public health risks."