Our world is full of all manner and style of electronic devices that many of us rely on to make it through our busy day. Devices like computers, televisions, and all manner of portable media. Along with these entertainment-based products, there are even more electronic devices that we don’t even notice like items for the kitchen (toasters, refrigerators), the home (exercise machines, vacuum cleaners), and maintenance (drills, electric lawnmowers).
The amount of electronic devices has also led to a very serious side effect—the proper disposal of these objects. Once they have outlived their usefulness, we move on to new devices but we shouldn’t forget the previous models. For many of us, this leads to tossing the device in the trash to be picked up and taken away. While this may be the standard way that most of us use for disposal, it can lead to serious repercussions on the environment. Electronic waste represents only 2 percent of America’s trash but it equals 70 percent of overall toxic waste. The USA alone discards a little over 2 million tons of electronic waste per year and much of it is made up of chemicals that can be hazardous if not disposed of properly.
There are several procedures currently being used to dispose of electronic waste but nearly all of them come with major problems. Due to lower environmental standards and working conditions in countries like China, India, and Kenya, electronic waste is being sent to these countries for processing with unsafe disposal methods, like open burning, incineration, and disassembly and disposal without proper precautions. If processed improperly, this waste can become extremely toxic and carcinogenic. Incineration is a prime suspect in the release of these toxic substances through the resultant fumes and ash residue left behind. Open burning is an even worse mode of disposal due to the relatively low temperature of the fire itself, which leads to the release of many more pollutants than in a controlled incineration process. The third questionable disposal method is in a landfill. This is the most widely used method but it can also cause the same amount of problems due to it’s contents leaking into the surrounding ground and water resources. Even new landfills sealed to prevent toxins from leaking are not completely sound in the long term, with the sealant breaking down before the toxins can biodegrade naturally.
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