Recycling: The Problem
Electronics are the fastest-growing part of the world's trash problem, with an estimated 50 million computers becoming obsolete annually. Every day, individuals and organizations dispose of mountains of e-waste, containing hazardous and toxic materials that pose significant environmental risks: CRT monitors with toxic lead oxide that can leach into the ground water; PC-related components & batteries with chromium, nickel, zinc, mercury and other heavy metals; plastic equipment housings that can release dangerous gases if incinerated.
Tossing your organization's end-of-life equipment in the dumpster is simply not an option anymore. De-manufacturing and legitimate recycling, utilizing an authorized electronics recycler is the only way to ensure compliance with the more than 550 state and federal e-waste laws currently on the books. Federal legislation governing electronics recycling includes: the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), and Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). These laws specify procedures and reporting requirements for any US organization that recycles as little as 220 pounds of e-waste per month. The penalties for improper recycling or inadequate reporting can be severe – up to $32,500 per day.