Recycling
The Growth of E-Waste:
Electronic Waste, known as e-waste, is the fastest growing problem in the United States. A study that the U.S. EPA did showed that e-waste constitutes for 4% of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream and is growing 2-3 times faster than any other waste stream in this country. Researchers showed that only 10% of American households are currently recycling their e-wastes. The hazardous elements found in e-waste are lead, cadmium, hexavelent chromium, PVC (polyvinyl chloride plastics), and brominated flame retardants.
The Importance of Recycling:
As long as there is demand and development for newer technologies and electronics, e-waste will continue growing at a tremendous rate. Therefore, it should be a collective effort from everyone ranging from the government all the way to the public to make a dent in the huge e-waste problem. By the end of this year, it is estimated that half a billion computers and their software will become obsolete in the United States. The amount of e-waste continues to climb in the U.S. every year due to the fast rate of obsolescence of electronics. Due to high demand of newer technology, we now replace broken or obsolete electronics rather than repair or update them. The rate of product obsolescence and lower prices for electronics have created a huge increase in e-waste.
The Impact E-Waste Has On The Environment:
Due to the lack of visibility and minimal awareness for the campaign’s existence and the government’s efforts and the hazardous effect of e-waste on the environment and the planet, e-waste is becoming an alarming environmental issue that is emerging every level of the government’s agendas. The build-up momentum coupled be the enormous ongoing growth of e-waste has made this problem the most notorious environmental issue in the nation and the world