E-Waste

Technology manufacturing is advancing rapidly and devices are quickly becoming obsolete. The majority of individuals simply throw these devices in a landfill. When devices reach landfills, toxins can seep into groundwater, creating serious threats to the natural environment and the health of a community. The article from The New York Times discusses how state law has provided New York State residents more convenient methods for recycling e-waste. The law is the ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT RECYCLING AND REUSE ACT. This law mandates manufacturers to contribute to the collection and recycling of electronics and keep toxic materials from reaching landfills or incinerators (Navarro 2011). State governments are confronting e-waste by creating uniformity and standard practices. Federal legislations such as the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA), does not provide enough oversight for proper e-waste disposal.

The RCRA acknowledges a volume increase of computers, cell phones, video games and similar products in businesses and households (Bell et. al. 2011). The issue is whether e-waste is dangerous. Various components of e-waste are exempt from RCRA's hazardous waste regulation if they are contained before recovery (Bell et. al. 2012). History shows us manufacturers of e-waste have not had any incentive to promote sustainable practices at the end of the life cycle of their product. Sales of electronic products, most notably information technology and telecom (IT) equipment, have steadily increased over the past twenty years (Environmental Protection Agency 2008). With little federal legislation, manufacturers face minimal legal challenges. It is people and the environment that face potential problems. Studies show children living next to non-controlled e-waste recycling sites have a 50% higher Pb blood level than those who live next to controlled sites (Chen, Dietrich, Ho, and Huo 2011). E-waste is non-biodegradable and should be recycled properly. Under...