Old cell phones and computers are thrown away by individuals and businesses all the time. Most people do not think about what happens to the electronic waste, which is not biodegradable, after it has been declared outdated.
Instead of finding a solution to the problem of accumulating e-waste, the United States has been shipping its tech trash to countries with lower environmental standards like India, China and Kenya, where the waste is dumped in landfills.
These countries have recently found lead and mercury leaking from e-waste is contaminating their drinking water. The affected countries are now beginning to ban e-waste from the U.S.
Most of us have heard about or maybe even participated in programs that send old cell phones to third world countries, soldiers in Iraq or battered women.
Although programs like these are a step in the right direction, they aren’t nearly big enough to solve the problem of e-waste.
E-waste is filling landfills overseas, and we are only producing more.
Many individuals are guilty of throwing out old technology to make room for newer gadgets, and e-waste from personal technology certainly adds up.
But perhaps the biggest producers of e-waste are large companies that throw out hundreds or even thousands of computers and other devices when upgrading to new technology.
That is why our editorial board decided it is only natural that an e-waste recycling program start with such companies.
We believe the federal government should require businesses to return their computers and other devices to their manufacturers, which could then recycle as many old parts as possible in the production of new technology.
It would be difficult for the government to enforce similar regulations within the general population, but there are ways to encourage individuals to follow suit.
The government’s first move should be a public service announcement making the population aware of e-waste and its effects on the environment.
Many people who don’t know about the problems e-waste is causing may be willing to change their ways after learning more about the issue.
But, of course, not everyone will recycle their e-waste out of the goodness of their hearts.
The government could offer or require technology manufacturers to offer incentives for individuals to send their computers and other devices back to be recycled.
Such a program would function much like the ones already in place, encouraging people to recycle their printer cartridges.
Individuals who return their old technology to the manufacturer could be promised free printer cartridges, free printer paper, a free subscription to a particular service or Web site or a discount on their next purchase from the company.
Postage should also be included, since shipping a computer would be pricey, especially for an individual.
If we can continue to pump out new American technology, we should be able to handle our own trash.
