New personal electronic devices age poorly, and obsolescence is built-in. The hottest new smart-phones enjoy a comparatively short life-span, and soon join the old CD players, miniature flip-phones, and big, boxy-looking PCs that are relegated to the attic or garage. Each consumer generates around twenty pounds of electronic garbage each year on average, and Dallas e-waste processing helps them recycle the old units responsibly.
Toxic materials are an important part of computer-based technologies. Prior to the introduction of flat-screen displays, massively heavy cathode-ray tubes included barium, a poisonous metal also used in automobile and lighting manufacturing. Circuit boards commonly contain cadmium, potentially harmful to kidneys and bones. Mercury, chromium, and even lead are other lethal metal components, often framed in plastics resistant to decay or flame.
Even though most buyers are aware of the critical need for recycling, the accumulating mountain of electronic by-products shows no sign of diminishing world-wide. Many countries have no official disposal policy, and even the environmentally progressive European Union accounts for only one-quarter of its own total. In the United States, figures are lower, and in some cases waste is profitably exported to Asian or African countries for metal extraction.
In an idealized economic world, electronics manufacturers would take responsibility for recycling what they produce, and in some cases that is actually occurring. In Texas and some other states, television and computer makers are required to offer free-of-charge services for their customers, and to publicize those efforts. Although many companies are eager to participate, others insist that the problem is demand, not supply.
Even the most environmentally concerned consumers rarely know the exact destination of their discarded units. Collection events are popular, an increasing number of services offer free pickup, and charitable programs designed to re-purpose old devices are common. Countries that are known destinations for reprocessing often battle a growing domestic e-waste problem of their own, and typically exercise few controls worker exposure to toxins.
After the old electronics are gone, there is little real assurance that they will not become a part of a foreign landfill. Some of the destination countries willingly trade environmental issues for hard currency and the chance to escape poverty. Those generating the most electronic detritus often choose solutions that are profitable in the short term, but may cause more serious issues for future generations.
Some electronics makers are seeking meaningful certification by local, independent environmental agencies. In many states there are already substantial fines for flaunting regulations, but no national laws uniformly regulate electronic waste processing. It has become extremely easy for people to have their old electronics taken away, but very hard to determine their final destination.
People living in Austin and other Texas municipalities increasingly turn to recycling companies who are willingly transparent regarding their own processes. Some companies have begun maintaining detailed tracking systems that follow materials from beginning to end, including the destination country. This not only helps control pollution, but also reduces health hazards for the people dependent on that work for survival.
Toxic materials are an important part of computer-based technologies. Prior to the introduction of flat-screen displays, massively heavy cathode-ray tubes included barium, a poisonous metal also used in automobile and lighting manufacturing. Circuit boards commonly contain cadmium, potentially harmful to kidneys and bones. Mercury, chromium, and even lead are other lethal metal components, often framed in plastics resistant to decay or flame.
Even though most buyers are aware of the critical need for recycling, the accumulating mountain of electronic by-products shows no sign of diminishing world-wide. Many countries have no official disposal policy, and even the environmentally progressive European Union accounts for only one-quarter of its own total. In the United States, figures are lower, and in some cases waste is profitably exported to Asian or African countries for metal extraction.
In an idealized economic world, electronics manufacturers would take responsibility for recycling what they produce, and in some cases that is actually occurring. In Texas and some other states, television and computer makers are required to offer free-of-charge services for their customers, and to publicize those efforts. Although many companies are eager to participate, others insist that the problem is demand, not supply.
Even the most environmentally concerned consumers rarely know the exact destination of their discarded units. Collection events are popular, an increasing number of services offer free pickup, and charitable programs designed to re-purpose old devices are common. Countries that are known destinations for reprocessing often battle a growing domestic e-waste problem of their own, and typically exercise few controls worker exposure to toxins.
After the old electronics are gone, there is little real assurance that they will not become a part of a foreign landfill. Some of the destination countries willingly trade environmental issues for hard currency and the chance to escape poverty. Those generating the most electronic detritus often choose solutions that are profitable in the short term, but may cause more serious issues for future generations.
Some electronics makers are seeking meaningful certification by local, independent environmental agencies. In many states there are already substantial fines for flaunting regulations, but no national laws uniformly regulate electronic waste processing. It has become extremely easy for people to have their old electronics taken away, but very hard to determine their final destination.
People living in Austin and other Texas municipalities increasingly turn to recycling companies who are willingly transparent regarding their own processes. Some companies have begun maintaining detailed tracking systems that follow materials from beginning to end, including the destination country. This not only helps control pollution, but also reduces health hazards for the people dependent on that work for survival.
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