| With new technologies emerging everyday, and more | | | | people throw out once they are no longer of use are |
| and more electronics becoming obsolete, our planet | | | | causing serious environmental issues. |
| has a new challenge: what to do with electronic | | | | The good news is that people are becoming more |
| waste. Pollution from obsolete, broken or otherwise | | | | aware of the problem of e-waste and companies are |
| discarded electronics is known as "e-waste," and is | | | | emerging to do something about it. It takes special |
| becoming a great concern for industrialized nations. | | | | facilities and technologies to take discarded |
| What many people may not realize is that obsolete | | | | electronics and recycle them in a safe and |
| electronics devises are thrown out everyday and end | | | | environmentally friendly way. Electronics recycling |
| up in landfills. What is concerning about this is that | | | | companies are doing just that in response to the |
| most electronics are made of metals and chemicals | | | | need to effectively manage e-waste. |
| that are hazardous to the environment. Anything | | | | Now that the effects of this pollution are apparent, |
| from a calculator to a laptop can be an environmental | | | | people need to not only become aware of the |
| danger. Toxins like mercury, lead, selenium and | | | | problem, but take advantage of solutions to fix it. |
| arsenic are just a few of the chemicals and materials | | | | E-waste is and will continue to be detrimental to the |
| that leak from discarded electronics into the ground, | | | | environment unless we take advantage of electronic |
| contaminating soil, water, and eventually, people and | | | | recycling. Effective, safe and simple: electronic |
| wildlife. | | | | recycling centers can safely recycle all the devises |
| Although more people are becoming aware, most | | | | listed above as well as speakers, plasma screens, |
| people still don't understand the impact that electronic | | | | copiers, stereos, keyboards and other electronics |
| devises have on the environment. Most people don't | | | | that you may never have thought about recycling. |
| think to recycle their calculator, phone system, | | | | Because of the severity of e-waste pollution, and the |
| printer, fax machine or television. They end up on the | | | | action taken by individuals and legislation, electronic |
| curb to be picked up and taken to the landfill. Who | | | | recycling has become a multi-billion dollar a year |
| would have known that your old television screen | | | | industry. As a matter of fact, e-waste is the fastest |
| and computer monitor contained lead and arsenic? Or | | | | growing segment of municipal solid waste. Find out if |
| that your cell phone's LCD screen is toxic to the | | | | there is an electronic recycling center in your area to |
| environment if not disposed of properly through an | | | | get your family, friends and business involved with |
| electronics recycling center? Everyday things that | | | | the solution to e-waste. |