Environmental Impacts Associated with Current Methods of Re-Use, Recycling and Reclamation of Personal Computers and Cell Phones

Abstract

Electronic waste is a growing problem worldwide. The need to have newer, faster, more powerful electronic products coupled with a lack of awareness of the hazards of improper disposal of these products is creating an environmental problem. This problem is an unintended consequence of corporations striving to stay ahead of the competition in meeting customer demands for new ways to simplify lifestyles and improve communications and connectivity to social networks and work. In order to reduce the growth of electronic waste a four prong approach is necessary. The second phase is an awareness campaign to educate the public and corporate personnel on the hazards of improper disposal of electronic products similar to the successful campaigns to recycle cans, plastics and glass. The second phase of the campaign is encouraging producers to design products with the environment and reverse logistics in mind. The third prong of the attack needs to be a comprehensive study sponsored by the USEPA or the United Nations Environmental Program to capture practices and procedures – both good and bad – that can be the basis of a comprehensive education program. The final phase of the recommendations to reduce the e-waste stream and improve the handling of electronic products at their end of life is to develop a national legislation to control the handling and disposal of electronic products.