The use of electronic goods has grown considerably over the past decades, changing the way and speed in which we communicate and how we get information and entertainment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, estimates 30 to 40 million surplus PCs will be ready for end-of-life management in each of the next few years. The U.S. National Safety Council estimates that 75% of all personal computers ever sold are now surplus electronics. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans now own approximately 24 electronic products per household such as:
- computers
- monitors
- fax machines and copiers
- television sets
- stereo/audio equipment
- cell phones
- game consoles
- electronics from industrial sources
Recycling electronics prevents valuable materials from becoming a solid waste, discarded and potentially a hazardous waste. Consumers now have many options to recycle or donate for reuse their used electronics. Midwest Environmental Services, Inc. can provide recycling services of any E-Waste (i.e., computer, TV, copier, printer, cell phone, etc.). About half of the states currently have laws on disposal and recycling of electronics and several other states are considering passing similar laws.
Midwest Environmental Services understands that E-Waste often has hazardous components that can impact the environment once the materials end up in a landfill or if they are improperly managed and disposed. A typical computer monitor may contain more than 6% lead by weight, much of which is in the lead glass of the cathode ray tube (CRT). A typical 15-inch computer monitor may contain 1.5 pounds of lead, but other monitors have been estimated as having up to 8 pounds of lead. Below is a list of some of the hazards associated with E-Waste and where they may be found:
- Antimony trioxide – a flame retardant, added to cathode ray tube monitor (CRT) glass, found in printed circuit boards and cables
- Arsenic – in older cathode ray tubes and in light emitting diodes
- Barium – in the CRT
- Beryllium – often allied with copper to improve copper’s strength, conductivity and elasticity. Old motherboards, contact springs found in printed circuit boards, relays, and in the mirror mechanism of laser printers. In power supply boxes which contain silicon controlled rectifiers and x-ray lenses
- Cadmium – circuit boards and semiconductors, rechargeable NiCad-batteries, fluorescent layer (CRT screens), printer inks and toners, photocopying-machines (printer drums)
- Chromium – in steel as corrosion protection, Data tapes, floppy-disks, circuit boards, photocopying-machines (printer drums)
- Lead – cathode ray tubes, solder, batteries, printed wiring boards (circuit boards), solder on components
- Lithium – batteries
- Mercury – switches (mercury wetted) and housing, fluorescent lamps providing backlighting in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) for monitors and laptops, batteries, printed circuit boards
- Nickel – batteries, electron gun in CRT , printed circuit boards
Midwest Environmental Services, Inc. can assist with your E-Waste recycling needs to help do our part to recover more than 100 million pounds of materials from the recycling of electronics each year. Thus, reducing the amount of pollution that would of be generated from manufacturing a new product and energy used in new product manufacturing.
If you have any questions regarding the recycle of E-Waste, please contact Midwest Environmental Services, Inc. at 513-681-9990.