How Do You Deal With Chromium When Recycling Electronics?
Electronics manufacturers use hexavalent chromium as a plating material to inhibit corrosion of electronic parts, fasteners and sheet metal. In its trivalent form, chromium is an essential trace element in the human body and required for good health. Ironically, in its hexavalent form, it can be a hazardous waste dangerous to human health, causing cancer and organ damage. Here’s how to make sure it’s recycled properly. Identify chromium on metal parts by the yellowish color it imparts to any surface coated with it. This coating is zinc chromium and you should treat any parts or components with this coating as potential hazardous waste. This means such parts and components should be recycled and never thrown in the trash. Take old electronic equipment and chromium plated metal to a recycling center. Never throw electronic equipment in the trash where it will become part of a landfill and never burn electronic equipment because many of the components will emit highly toxic gas when expos
