E-Waste
Posted in Uncategorized by James on October 14th, 2006 A question I frequently get asked is, “What do I do with my old computer, printer, monitor, copier, fax machine, etc.?” Because we seem to be turning our planet into one giant landfill and technology is often prohibitively expensive the answer is almost always “Do you have a family member/friend/neighbor that doesn’t have a computer but perhaps could use one?” If not, they are told to take it to the computer swap at the transfer station.
But what do we do when a device is beyond repairable…especially when images like this are increasingly common. (Click to enlarge.)
According to EPA estimates, more than four million tons of e-waste, some of it with toxic ingredients, hit landfills each year.
A congressional caucus has met twice in the last month to flesh out the idea that the e-waste problem could be solved with legislation. This legislation would make it mandatory for manufacturers to take back old pieces of technology and recycle them.
This is good in the sense that it makes it easier for consumers to properly dispose of their e-waste. Because components would be recycled hardware costs would be reduced and manufacturers would be able to pass the savings on to consumers. Wishful thinking perhaps.
The other issue at hand is whether we want the federal government to continue to dip its legislative pen into the free market.
