Where does e-waste currently go?
Up to 75 percent of unused computers are stored in the closets, basements and offices of their original owners. 50 percent of computers being recycled are still in good working order and potentially could be reused. It has been reported that 85 percent of computers that are “thrown in the garbage” end up in landfill. It is estimate that up to 70 percent of heavy metal (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.) contamination in landfills comes from improperly disposed of electronic products. Why is e-waste a problem? As technology rapidly evolves, people are constantly upgrading to new equipment, and retiring their old equipment. The typical electronic product may contain more than 1,000 different substances, some of which are potentially hazardous to human and environmental health. If old equipment is not properly recycled, these substances could seep into air, soil, and water. The characteristics, scale and complexity of the e-waste situation create a significant challenge. What happens to electr
Up to 75 percent of unused computers are stored in the closets, basements and offices of their original owners. 50 percent of computers being recycled are still in good working order and potentially could be reused. It has been reported that 85 percent of computers that are “thrown in the garbage” end up in landfill. According to a US EPA report from 2002, up to 70 percent of heavy metal (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.) contamination in US landfills comes from improperly disposed of electronic products.
Up to 75 percent of unused computers are stored in the closets, basements and offices of their original owners. 50 percent of computers being recycled are still in good working order and potentially could be reused. Roughly 85 percent of computers that are “thrown in the garbage” end up in landfill. According to a US EPA report from 2002, up to 70 percent of heavy metal (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.) contamination in US landfills comes from improperly disposed of electronic products.
