What are the hazards of discarding my old electronics with the rest of my trash?
Electronics contain pollutants such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, phosphorous, lithium, and polycarbons. Electronics that are dumped in the trash often end up in landfills, where these substances can leach into the groundwater and soil. Flame retardant chemicals in computer plastics can release highly toxic dioxins when burned in trash incinerators. Is it illegal to dispose of electronics in landfills? In Colorado, electronics are classified as hazardous waste, so local regulations dictate that any electronic waste from non-residential sources (businesses, government agencies, etc.) cannot be disposed of in solid waste landfills. Electronic waste must be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility or recycled. Please see the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website for more information. What are the benefits of recycling versus resale? If a computer is working, then it’s still useful, right? Although resale and resuse is sometimes an option, in most cases the
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- What are the hazards of discarding my old electronics with the rest of my trash?
- What are the hazards of discarding my old electronics in the trash?