ChemMatters - October 2016

E-Cycling Rate

The amount of recycled electronics is increasing. In 2013, the amount of consumer electronics that was recycled was 40.4%

( 1.27 million tons), up from

30.6% in 2012.

This corresponds to 8 pounds per person per year recovered in 2013!

Paying a fine?

After searching the Internet, Aidan found out that in some cities and counties, a person can receive a fine of $100 or more for putting electronics out with the trash.

Twenty-five states have enacted legislation to handle electronic waste. California passed legislation in 2003 that requires customers to pay a fee to dispose of electronics. The fee is used to pay manufacturers to recycle these products. In 2011, payments were as high as $77 million and accounted for close to 200 million pounds of waste.

In 2010, Pennsylvania instituted bans that
prevent landfill facilities from accepting elec-
tronic waste. Manufacturers of electronics
are required to provide collection programs
for electronics, and retailers, such as Best
Buy and Staples, are also encouraged to
participate, gaining the goodwill of
residents in the state through their
environmentally friendly actions.

Dell created a program in 2006 that helps people donate old computers or recycle them. If you are buying a Dell product, you can print a prepaid shipping label addressed to the company’s recycling center and then schedule a pickup from FedEx for your old computer. The system can also be used for other older-model computer brands when you buy a new one from Dell.

Apple accepts products that might be reused in exchange for a gift card for an Apple product. If the item cannot be reused, it will be recycled, free of charge.

Some of these electronics can
be reused as they are, or parts can
be reused. Items, such as cell phones,
can be refurbished. For example, a
new screen or case might be installed
on a phone and then sold to another
customer, either in the United States
or overseas.
If recycling is needed, items are
shipped to a certified recycling com-
pany. Companies can earn certification
through two nonprofit organizations
that are currently run in the
United States: R2 Solutions and
e-Stewards. Through onsite
inspections and audits, these
nonprofits certify that com-
panies are following best-
management practices for the
recycling process.

Based on Aidan’s research, he and his father decided that, from now on, their family would recycle electronics. Keeping electronics, or the valuable metals they contain, out of landfills and allowing them to be reused would be worth it!

SELECTED REFERENCES

Turim-Nygren, M. How to Recycle Your Old Computer. Digital Trends, Nov 24, 2012: http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/ how-to-recycle-your-old-computer/ [accessed July 2016].

Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse. Map of States with Legislation: http://www. ecycleclearinghouse.org/content.aspx?pageid=10 [accessed July 2016].

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, March 10, 2016: http:// www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ ecycling/ donate.htm [accessed July 2016].

Roberta Baxter is a science writer who lives in Colorado Springs, Colo. Her most recent ChemMatters article, “Diabetes: Tiny Particles to the Rescue,” appeared in the October 2012 issue.