The Challenge of Recycling IT

Posted: Aug 17, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

Since the lifespan of computers and other electronic devices is normally short, recycling in the United States has become a necessity instead of a conscientious voluntary alternative for recycling different items. Also, with the continuous development of newer and trendier electronic devices, many consumers can quickly update their information technology devices by purchasing new devices.

E-waste is the new term that has been coined in the industry to describe recycling IT items. Recycling laptops, computer towers, and computer monitors is now considered the right thing to do with older model versions that have ran out of use. With older model TVs that were made of cathode ray tubes, the biggest concern for the environmentalist community was about the release of mercury into the earth's atmosphere.

Today many environmentalists are now concerned about releasing mercury and various brominated flame-retardants. Based on statistics from different environmentalist groups, an exorbitant amount of e-waste is dumped into landfills each year. A group of lobbyist, from the city of San Francisco, has reported that only eighteen percent of the total amount of discarded computers is being recycled. Their projections also state that approximately 400 million units of electronic devices will be discarded annually. These figures include specific devices such as DVD players and television sets.

The process of recycling electronics means the recycling center will have to separate the outer housing from the components inside. The separation process must be performed with skill because they normally contain toxic materials. For example, both plasma and LCD screens use fluorescent lamps that contain mercury. These lamps are fragile and hard to remove. Therefore, if the lamps are broken during the process, toxic mercury will be released into the air. This is dangerous because mercury causes different neurological impairments, especially in a fetus that is developing. Adults may have problems with loss of memory and weakness of muscles after they have been exposed.

Presently, Dell, a computer manufacturer, is performing well because they sell notebooks and monitor screens that do not contain mercury. Flame-retardants are used in computers to prevent explosions. Although the retardants are used to prevent fire, these chemicals are also very dangerous because they release furans and carcinogenic in the environment.

Approximately fifty to eighty percent of the computer products that are made in United States are being recycled overseas in Asia and Africa. These places are being treated as repositories for recycling these types of products.

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