What is e-waste?
E-waste is electronic waste – the result of discarded electronic equipment. It includes a broad and growing range of electronic devices from computers to hand-held cellular phones, stereos, consumer electronics, and monitors. Unfortunately, electronic waste is among the fastest growing segments of our nation’s waste stream.
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. With the passage of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 , certain portions of the electronic waste stream are defined and the systems to recover and recycle them will be administratively regulated beyond the universal waste rules that now apply to material handling. Please review the CIWMB’s efforts to implement the Act for more information. 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 electronic waste – the result of discarded electronic equipment. It includes a broad and growing range of electronic devices from computers to hand-held cellular phones, stereos, consumer electronics, and monitors. Unfortunately, electronic waste is among the fastest growing segments of our nation’s waste stream.
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.
Many types of electronic products used in the workplace and homes contain hazardous substances like lead and mercury. When these products reach the end of their useful lives or become obsolete, some are considered hazardous waste. In general, hazardous waste may not be discarded in the regular trash. Instead, it must be sent to a facility that has a permit for treatment (including recycling), storage or disposal. Abandonment of e-waste constitutes illegal disposal of hazardous waste and will be prosecuted. Electronic hazardous wastes (e-wastes) are different from industrially generated hazardous wastes in that almost every individual, institution and business generates them. Proper management and recycling of e-waste poses lower risks than managing many industrial hazardous wastes. This presentation from the 2009 CUPA conference provides a summary of what electronic wastes are, the kinds of activities that e-waste recyclers perform, classification of treatment residuals and a projected
