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== Recycling and disposal ==
== Recycling and disposal ==
''Main article: [[Metal Reclamation and Recycling of Electronic Waste|Metal Reclamation and Recycling of Electronic Waste]]''
''Main article: [[Metal reclamation and recycling of electronic waste]]''


== Electronic waste examples ==
== Electronic waste examples ==
In progress. Analysis of a desktop computer's components by weight, coming Jan. 09.
In progress. Analysis of a desktop computer's components by weight, coming January 09.


== Legislation and practices ==
== Legislation and practices ==
''Main article: [[Electronic waste legislation and practices|Electronic waste legislation and practices]]''
''Main article: [[Electronic waste legislation and practices]]''


Electronic waste legislation and practices vary by country, but there are a number of international initiatives, such as the 1989 Basel Conventions and the European Union’s Reduction of Hazardous Substances Directive.
Electronic waste legislation and practices vary by country, but there are a number of international initiatives, such as the 1989 Basel Conventions and the European Union’s Reduction of Hazardous Substances Directive.

Revision as of 17:47, 14 November 2008

Electronic waste, otherwise known as e-waste or WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) is a term that encompass any waste with electronic components. This definition can be refined as to include household appliances, computers and computer peripherals, monitors, TVs, audio and video equipment, telephony equipment, lighting, and battery operated toys.

Electronic waste is especially concerning for three reasons. First, it contains a number of toxic chemicals and heavy metals, secondly, the amount of electronic waste being produced around the world is rapidly accelerating and a large portion of this waste is not disposed of properly. For example, the United States Environmental Protection Agency found that 82% of the TVs, cell phones and computer products disposed of in 2007 were landfilled and that electronic waste production grew by approximately 8% per year between 1998 and 2007 [1].

Hazardous waste

Electronic waste contains a number of hazardous materials, that will leach out if disposed of improperly. Below is a list of constituent parts of electronic waste.

Present in large quantities

  • Plastics
  • Epoxy resin hardened fiberglass, in printed circuit boards
  • Lead is present in numerous types of items, especially in solder and CRT monitors
  • Zinc
  • Tin, present in solder
  • Copper, in wiring and printed circuit boards
  • Aluminum, in hard drives, heat sinks, and casings
  • Steel, in cases and for structural reinforcement


Present small quantities

  • Cadmium
  • Beryllium
  • Mercury
  • Thallium, [2] which is a highly toxic metal [3]
  • Bioaccumulating toxins such as W, W, W, and W are present in small quantities [4].
  • Brominated flame retardants such as W, W and W are present in many plastics [5].
  • Precious metals, such as silver, gold and palladium in extremely low concentrations [6].

Electronic waste production

The electronics industry is an industry where technological improvements are being made rapidly, leading to the obsolescence of certain products very quickly. As an example, the lifespan of the average desktop computer in the USA is 2 years.

Recycling and disposal

Main article: Metal reclamation and recycling of electronic waste

Electronic waste examples

In progress. Analysis of a desktop computer's components by weight, coming January 09.

Legislation and practices

Main article: Electronic waste legislation and practices

Electronic waste legislation and practices vary by country, but there are a number of international initiatives, such as the 1989 Basel Conventions and the European Union’s Reduction of Hazardous Substances Directive.

References

  1. http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/manage.htm
  2. http://www.speclab.com/elements/thallium.htm
  3. http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/TH/thallium.html
  4. Liu, H. et al., 2007, "E-waste recycling induced polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-furans pollution in the ambient environment," Elsevier, sciencedirect.com
  5. Choi, K.-I. et al., 2008, "Leaching of brominated flame retardants from TV housing plastics...," Chemosphere (2008).
  6. Cui, J., Zhang, L., 2008, "Metallurgical recovery of metals from electronic waste: A review," Journal of Hazardous Materials, 158.
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