Electronics Recycling: What are your eco-friendly options?
One of the newest issues facing Oregon residents is the proper disposition of end-of-life (EOL) electronics.
Oregon Environmental Council
In 2005, Oregonians threw away 32,500 tons of computers, televisions and other out-of-date electronics, mostly into landfills or dumps. Many devices contain toxic metals such as mercury, lead or cadmium. If electronic equipment is intact and disposed of properly, the materials generally pose no health or environmental hazards, however, when broken, toxic chemicals are released into the ground and water, causing contamination. Many of these toxic chemicals are persistent and bio-accumulate. This means the toxic chemicals do not break down into safer components, and they can accumulate and leach into our surrounding environment.
While the issue of electronic purchasing, reuse and recycling is a hot topic on the US environmental plate, there is a lot that Oregonians can do to protect themselves and the environment from these hazards. First, we can educate ourselves on environmentally preferable equipment to purchase. Second, we can perform our due diligence on the recycler we give our used equipment to; and know the difference between reuse and recycling.
Get ideas and more info on how to buy and recycle electronics responsibly on OEC's website.
