R2 certification Today there is a lot of talk about E- waste recycling and how important it is to the environment. E-Waste is the shortened version of electronic waste. When you engage in electronics recycling you are reprocessing and reusing electronic and electrical equipment that is regarded as outdated or been discarded. Some examples of electronic waste include:
• Radios
• Microwaves
• Air conditions
• Televisions
• Fans
• Electric heaters
• Laptops
• Batteries
• Mobile phones
• Monitors
• Computer
• Circuit boards
It is an increasing development, started to protect environmental and human health due to e-wastes impact on widespread environmental health.
Process of electronic waste
R2 certification How items are going to be reused will vary according to the material. For example, with plastic it will be sent to recyclers who will re-manufacture into items like insulators among other plastic products, plastic trays, fence posts, vineyard stakes, equipment holders, and more. When a computer is brought in, the hard drives are shredded in whole and will be processed into aluminum ingots. These will be used in the automotive industry.
Electronic recycling is somewhat similar to the traditional recycling of metal, paper and plastic; the only difference is that electronic recycling is not so convenient to everyone. However electronic recycling is very important today, mainly because of the rising problems caused by e-waste.
This e-waste is the accumulation of improperly disposed electronics. People tend to just dump cell phones, televisions, printers and other electronic devices in dumps, to create environmental problems.
Most of the electronic devices we use on a daily basis have high levels of toxic materials like cadmium, barium, lead and mercury that have dire consequences to the environment. These dangerous elements can leak into the soil, and reach our water supply and food chain to create dire health problems.
Health problems e-waste can create
The cathode rays in computer monitors and televisions have significant amounts of lead while LCDs have mercury in its panels. The circuitry in electronic boards have sufficient copper, chromium and lead to pollute the environment while the everyday batteries we use have dangerous metals like lithium, cadmium, silver, lead and nickel.
Breathing of cadmium can lead to lung damage and possible death while lead attacks the nervous system of both kids and adults. In fact, if kids swallow large amounts of lead through water and food, they can develop blood anemia, severe stomach ache, kidney damage, muscle weakness and even brain damage that leads to eventual death.
Look out for your neighborhood recycling center
Looking at the consequences of improper disposal of e-waste, you now know why there is an increased demand and need for electronic recycling. To create a sense of responsibility for the right disposal of e-waste, there are now new legislations and technological advances.
R2 certification Moreover, there are centers in your area you have to look out for to use to recycle your electronics, and do your bit for the environment. By practicing electronic recycling, you will be able to do your bit to keep the environment green for future generations.