E-waste recyclers may not be good for environment

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Most people — about 88 percent according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — simply toss so-called e-waste into the trash.

Given the heavy metals and other toxic substances such equipment contains, that's obviously a bad idea, says the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, a national consortium of environmental and consumer groups. But, in some cases, doing the seemingly responsible thing — hauling outmoded equipment to a recycler — is as bad as junking it, warned Barbara Kyle, the group's national coordinator.

Often, she said, "recycled" electronics are shipped to processors in developing countries, who use primitive techniques to extract valuable metals.

"All of these plastic casings of TVs and computers contain brominated flame retardants," Kyle said. "When they are exported to these Third World countries, plastics typically get burned. And when burned, they emit dioxins, one of the most potent toxins. This often is done right next to where people are working and living."

Computer circuit boards are heated to recover lead solder, thereby releasing toxic fumes. Lead-coated glass — televisions contain four to eight pounds of lead — often is casually discarded.

"People think they're doing the right thing, lugging their equipment to be recycled, and it really isn't recycled," Kyle said. "Ironically, this often occurs in collections conducted on Earth Day."

In a 2005 study, the EPA estimated the U.S. generated 2.63 million tons of electronic waste.

Congressional involvement
U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, this year introduced legislation to outlaw exporting toxic electronic waste to developing nations.

"I am encouraged by the efforts to improve e-waste recycling in the U.S., but progress is an illusion when 'recycling' means exporting e-waste to be picked over by scavengers under hazardous conditions," Green said.

Kyle said her organization advocates television and computer makers taking the lead in providing recycling services for e-waste.

Last fall, she said, Sony became the first television maker to implement such a program. Since then, others have followed suit.

E-steward service
Recycling services also are provided by some computer makers.

If you decide to take your e-waste to a recycler, Kyle advocated finding a so-called "e-steward" who has agreed to process the old electronics gear responsibly. At present, no e-steward services are available in the Houston area.

A list and evaluation of recycling services offered by electronics makers and additional information regarding e-waste issues can be found on the coalition's Web sites, www.electronicstakeback.com and www.takebackmytv.com.

If you can't find a way to safely recycle, Kyle suggested simply keeping the equipment until such options develop.

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Washington State Starts Free Electronics Recycling Program

Environment-friendly computer users in Washington now have a reason to rejoice – some 200 permanent recycle centers for old computers and television sets will be opened in their area starting January 2009. The centers will be operated free of charge, and everyone will be able to drop off their electronics devices. However, authorities ask people purchasing new TVs and PCs during the holidays not to come at the centers all at once after New Year, so as to avoid long queues.

These equipments have some components that incorporate highly-toxic compounds, such as mercury and cadmium, which can pollute the soil in landfills for many years, if disposed of improperly. Ecologists say that recycle centers are the only way to keep these chemicals off the land, as special processes could ensure their complete capture. Furthermore, these metals could be used once again, in the creation of more advanced computers and TV sets.

Sevenxxxx other US states have this type of regulation in place, but Washington will be among the first to actually implement it at such a wide scale. State officials take great pride in their initiative and say that the bill, which was passed in 2006, forces manufacturers to assume responsibility for the safe withdrawal of the products they place on the market. "Our law is a true producer responsibility law. It puts the onus of the financing on the manufacturer," says Miles Kuntz, the state's electronic products recycling program manager.

Estimates place the amount of recycled material in the first year alone at about 25 million pounds, which, on average, means about 4 pounds per person. However, there is no way of knowing for sure just how many PCs and TVs will be brought to the various collecting centers. Producers, such as Sony, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard, have to have at least one center in every county, and one in each city with more than 10,000 inhabitants.

Leaded glass, plastics, aluminum, mercury, seep lead, and other chemicals will be extracted from the abandoned electronics, by processors approved by the state's Department of Ecology, including Total Reclaim of Seattle and IMS Electronics Recycling of Vancouver.