The Role Organizations Can Take in Furthering Electronics Recycling
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has underscored the need for a more aggressive approach to electronics recycling.
Majority of electronics contain a certain amount of toxic substances, examples of which include lead, mercury and cadmium.
If burned or disposed of improperly, these can pollute surface water, groundwater and air, and contaminate soil.
According to statistics, only 18 percent of the 2.
25 million tons of electronics ready for end-of-life (EOL) management was collected for recycling, with the remaining 82 percent going to landfills.
As more and more electronics are produced each year, it has become increasingly challenging to keep electronics disposal to a minimum in order to avoid imminent environmental and health problems.
As such, the EPA has taken steps in facilitating the environmentally sound management of used electronics.
The agency has strictly enforced its rule for recycling and exporting cathode-ray tubes (CRT), which contain high amounts of lead.
It also offers a number of partnership programs that promote voluntary recycling initiatives among manufacturers.
Organizations, both private and public, are in a prime position to support such efforts and can take it a step further, contributing more significantly to the cause.
By having used electronics recycled at legitimate recycling centers or partnering with groups that provide access to these, they can ensure that their electronics are neither disposed of in landfills, nor are they illegally exported.
Supporting electronics recycling is a viable way for organizations to not just do their part for the environment and comply with environmental regulations, but to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Majority of electronics contain a certain amount of toxic substances, examples of which include lead, mercury and cadmium.
If burned or disposed of improperly, these can pollute surface water, groundwater and air, and contaminate soil.
According to statistics, only 18 percent of the 2.
25 million tons of electronics ready for end-of-life (EOL) management was collected for recycling, with the remaining 82 percent going to landfills.
As more and more electronics are produced each year, it has become increasingly challenging to keep electronics disposal to a minimum in order to avoid imminent environmental and health problems.
As such, the EPA has taken steps in facilitating the environmentally sound management of used electronics.
The agency has strictly enforced its rule for recycling and exporting cathode-ray tubes (CRT), which contain high amounts of lead.
It also offers a number of partnership programs that promote voluntary recycling initiatives among manufacturers.
Organizations, both private and public, are in a prime position to support such efforts and can take it a step further, contributing more significantly to the cause.
By having used electronics recycled at legitimate recycling centers or partnering with groups that provide access to these, they can ensure that their electronics are neither disposed of in landfills, nor are they illegally exported.
Supporting electronics recycling is a viable way for organizations to not just do their part for the environment and comply with environmental regulations, but to contribute to a more sustainable future.