The ongoing evolution of personal electronic devices guarantees obsolescence. Even the most hyped new products routinely up in the attic with the old flip phones, portable CD players and boxy personal computers from the past, creating a significant disposal problem. Dallas e-waste processing helps consumers responsibly recycle the average twenty pounds of electronic garbage that each person generates yearly.
Most computer-based electronics contain toxic materials. Before flat-screens became standard, cathode ray tubes required barium, a poisonous metallic element also used in car parts and lighting. Cadmium is present in circuit boards, and exposure can harm bones and kidneys. Chromium, lead, and mercury are also found in many old parts, often framed by plastics that do not burn or decompose.
The public is well-informed about the need for recycling, but that awareness has had little impact on the growing presence of e-waste. It is common for manufacturing companies to have no officially expressed policy regarding ultimate disposal, and even environmentally progressive bodies such as the European Union can account for less than one quarter of the electronic garbage generated. United States figures go even lower, and much of that is exported for metal extraction.
Ideally, manufacturers would take responsibility for recycling their own products, and steps are being taken to make that a reality. Computer equipment and television product makers must now offer free recycling services for their customers in Texas as well as several other states, and are also responsible for creating public awareness of these programs. While most participate, some insist this is a consumer issue only.
Even the most environmentally-aware consumers may not be able to discover the real destination of their recyclables. A growing number of services provide free pickup, mass collection rallies or events are popular, and a growing number of charitable organizations solicit old equipment for re-purposing. Much of the material has traditionally ended up in poorer countries with their own e-waste issues, including worker exposure to toxins.
After the old electronics are gone, there is little real assurance that they will not become a part of a foreign landfill. Some of the destination countries willingly trade environmental issues for hard currency and the chance to escape poverty. Those generating the most electronic detritus often choose solutions that are profitable in the short term, but may cause more serious issues for future generations.
Some companies have become certified by independent agencies in an effort to reflect the seriousness of their intentions. Many states administer fines for ignoring current regulations, but there are no uniform national rules governing electronic waste processing. The growth of programs that collect raw electronic materials makes it very simple for people to get rid of old equipment, but employs few controls over the final destination.
People residing in Austin increasingly choose a recycling company that is willing to openly explain how the disposal process works, and whether the material is being internationally transported. Some firms have adopted tracking systems that follow individual shipments closely, including the final destination. This not only helps control environmental pollution, but also offers better protections for workers involved in the recycling effort.
Most computer-based electronics contain toxic materials. Before flat-screens became standard, cathode ray tubes required barium, a poisonous metallic element also used in car parts and lighting. Cadmium is present in circuit boards, and exposure can harm bones and kidneys. Chromium, lead, and mercury are also found in many old parts, often framed by plastics that do not burn or decompose.
The public is well-informed about the need for recycling, but that awareness has had little impact on the growing presence of e-waste. It is common for manufacturing companies to have no officially expressed policy regarding ultimate disposal, and even environmentally progressive bodies such as the European Union can account for less than one quarter of the electronic garbage generated. United States figures go even lower, and much of that is exported for metal extraction.
Ideally, manufacturers would take responsibility for recycling their own products, and steps are being taken to make that a reality. Computer equipment and television product makers must now offer free recycling services for their customers in Texas as well as several other states, and are also responsible for creating public awareness of these programs. While most participate, some insist this is a consumer issue only.
Even the most environmentally-aware consumers may not be able to discover the real destination of their recyclables. A growing number of services provide free pickup, mass collection rallies or events are popular, and a growing number of charitable organizations solicit old equipment for re-purposing. Much of the material has traditionally ended up in poorer countries with their own e-waste issues, including worker exposure to toxins.
After the old electronics are gone, there is little real assurance that they will not become a part of a foreign landfill. Some of the destination countries willingly trade environmental issues for hard currency and the chance to escape poverty. Those generating the most electronic detritus often choose solutions that are profitable in the short term, but may cause more serious issues for future generations.
Some companies have become certified by independent agencies in an effort to reflect the seriousness of their intentions. Many states administer fines for ignoring current regulations, but there are no uniform national rules governing electronic waste processing. The growth of programs that collect raw electronic materials makes it very simple for people to get rid of old equipment, but employs few controls over the final destination.
People residing in Austin increasingly choose a recycling company that is willing to openly explain how the disposal process works, and whether the material is being internationally transported. Some firms have adopted tracking systems that follow individual shipments closely, including the final destination. This not only helps control environmental pollution, but also offers better protections for workers involved in the recycling effort.
About the Author:
Read more about How Dallas E-Waste Processing Centers Are Combating A Growing Problem.
No comments:
Post a Comment