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E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing
the end of their "useful life." Computers, televisions,
VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic
products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled. Unfortunately,
electronic discards is one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's waste
stream.
With the passage of the
Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003
, certain
portions of the electronic waste stream are defined and the systems to
recover and recycle them will be administratively regulated beyond the
universal waste rules that now apply to material handling. Please
review the CIWMB's efforts to implement the Act
for more information.
In addition, some researchers estimate that nearly 75
percent of old electronics are in storage, in part because of the
uncertainty of how to manage the materials. Combine this with increasing
advances in technology and new products headed towards the market and it
is no wonder that "e-waste" is a popular
topic.
E-FAQs
Is "e-waste" clearly defined?
The term "e-waste" is loosely applied to consumer and
business electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful
life. There is no clear definition for e-waste; for instance whether
or not items like microwave ovens and other similar "appliances" should
be grouped into the category has not been established.
Is "e-waste" considered hazardous?
Certain components of some electronic products contain materials that
render them hazardous, depending on their condition and density. For
instance, California law currently views nonfunctioning CRTs (cathode ray
tubes) from televisions and monitor as hazardous.
What should I do with my electronic discards?
The mantra of "
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
" applies
here.
Reduce
your generation of e-waste through smart procurement
and good maintenance.
Reuse
still functioning electronic equipment by donating or selling it to
someone who can still use it.
Recycle
those components that cannot be repaired. To find an organization
that reuses or recycles electronics, search the
Electronic Product Management
Directory (EPMD).
How can I learn more about this topic?
For more information, explore the resources
available within this site. Two outstanding overviews include:
The U.S. EPA's recently published WasteWise
Update on Electronics Reuse and Recycling, a comprehensive overview of the issue.
(
Note
: if you decide to print the document, which is available as a
PDF, we suggest you do so in black and white--not color.)
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance published Plug
Into Electronics Reuse to help expand the reuse infrastructure for
electronics. Included in the publication are profiles of 22 model
electronics reuse operations in the United States.
What is the CIWMB doing with its own
e-waste?
When the CIWMB conducted its last
significant purchase of computers, steps were taken to reduce waste.
See the case study for information
on how CIWMB and the vendor worked to reduce waste and properly manage
electronic equipment.
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