Electronic Recycling in the US - Research Paper Example

Electronic recycling in the US, why is it important to our future? Introduction There is no doubt that the environmental problem is one of the main problems facing today’s world. Environmental degradation largely threatens human existence and survival, as well as international peace and security. Increase in electronic waste further compounds the problem. Electronic products use has increased substantially over the last two decades, impacting on the speed and the way we communicate, as well as how we get entertainment and information (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency para 1). Data by the Consumer Electronics Association indicate that each American household own about 24 electronic products. As such, there is large volume of electronic waste, which poses serious dangers to the environment. It is for this reason that there have been increased efforts to recycle electronic products in the US. Environmental experts argue that continuing increase in the recycling rates in the US will help the country to pull out of the electronic garbage heap and minimize global warming emissions (Natural Resources Defense Council para 2). This paper will discuss electronic recycling in the US, as well as why it is important to the country’s future. The industry of electronic recycling has evolved to become an increasingly critical part of the environmental sustainability management program (Lee para 3). Individuals, corporations, and government agencies have enhanced their focus in addressing environmental and sustainability management issues. Electronic recycling has consequently, become a critical part of this trend. Recycling is a major step in a full loop of practices that will reduce the quantity of waste that goes to landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Natural Resources Defense Council para 3). Electronic recycling involves more than bundling up electronic materials. Manufacturers are required to use recycled materials in making their products. Similarly, consumers should purchase products made from post-consumer recycled materials. The more the demand for products made with recycled materials rather than virgin materials is increased, the more successful recycling will be at curbing global warming and saving natural resources. Electronic recycling not only extends the valuable products’ lives, but also prevents valuable materials from becoming wastes (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency para 2). The society now has many recycling options. Many manufacturers of electronic goods such as TV, computer and cell phones and retailers of these products sponsor recycling events and offer some form of take back program. It should be noted that nearly half of states in America presently have laws on recycling and disposal of electronics and a number of other states are considering passage of similar laws (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency para 2). Discarded electronics including broken cell phones, old computers, and obsolete TV sets form the fastest- growing element of the US waste stream. It is estimated that Americans threw away about 2 million tons of electronic trash in the year 2005 and recycled about 38,000 tons only (Natural Resources Defense Council para 8). This points out to the danger that US is faced with going to the future. The problem is further compounded by the fact that there is no national e-waste law. However, some individual states have put in place laws that require recycling of electronics waste, and for designing of more recyclable and less toxic gadgets. Electronic recycling has significant benefits to the US society and enhancing of this program will present the country with more benefits. It helps to extend the lives of electronic products and therefore keeping them out of the waste stream for much longer time. In addition, it allows lower-income families, non-profit organizations, and schools to obtain equipment that they may not have been able to afford (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency para 1). Considering the huge environmental, economic, and social risk that environmental degradation poses to the American society and world as a whole, electronic recycling is certainly a major step towards managing this risk. Electronic recycling will help in reducing pollution in the US that would have been generated during the manufacturing of new products, as well because of extracting limited and valuable virgin resources. In addition, it reduces the energy used in the manufacturing of new products (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency para 6). Private and public organizations accepting electronics such as computers have emerged in recent years. Consumers have various recycling options including TV repair shops, electronic recycling companies, local electronics retailer, and charitable organizations that collect used electronics and send them to recyclers. It is encouraging to note that there are approximately 500 electronic recyclers in the US who focus on collection, refurbishment and resale of electronics (Lee para 4). A good number of electronics manufacturers accept used electronics for recycling and in most cases, they provide these services free-of-charge. Recovery and asset management programs have been available to large corporations and major purchasers of electronics for a relatively short period. However, in recent years, this has been changing as electronics manufacturers are starting to provide the same services for businesses and households (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency para 7). Going into the future it is important that the American society as a whole manage special waste or what is also known as focus materials, which include toners, lamps, circuit boards, cathode ray tubes, and batteries. This is because these materials contain very hazardous components. As such, it is equally important that these forms of electronic wastes are managed in an environmentally responsible way (Lee para 5). While focusing on electronic recycling, it will also be important to focus on designing electronic equipment that has environmentally preferable attributes. Manufacturers should design greener electronic equipment and consumers should look out for electronics that have the following attributes: used recycled products; are designed for easy disassembly or upgrading; offer take back or leasing options; are energy efficient; and contain fewer toxic or hazardous constituents (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency para 9). Apart from the environmental benefits of electronic recycling, there are economic benefits associated with this initiative. Since the US-based recycling industry is capital-intensive and sophisticated, it creates many “green jobs” in the country. Electronics recycling provides an important link to the country’s supply chain and is integral to the economy of the United States (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. para 1). It is also integral to the US energy savings, global trade, resource sustainability, and job creation. Scrap recycling industry including electronic recycling has been at the forefront of creating jobs; it added over 15,000 jobs to the economy since the start of 2010. The larger scrap recycling industry provides a positive solution in the country’s manufacturing landscape and directly employs about 138,000 people based on environmentally sustainable and sensitive business practices (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. para 1). Conclusion The paper shows in detail the enormity of the risk of electronics products to the environment. Electronics waste can significantly degrade the environment and lead to serious social, economic, and health implications to the society. It is for this reason that electronic recycling is important in the US, particularly as regards the country’s future. It is critical in preventing valuable materials from going into waste stream and therefore degrading the environment. As has been noted, electronic recycling is also important for the economy especially in respect to creating jobs and for providing raw materials to the manufacturing industry. Works Cited Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. Electronic Recycling. 2013. Web. 22 Oct, 2013. Lee, Jade. The Future of Electronics Recycling: An Interview with an Electronics Recycling Business Leader. 2013. Web. 22 Oct, 2013. Natural Resources Defense Council. The Past, Present and Future of Recycling. 2008. Web. 22 Oct, 2013. < http://www.nrdc.org/cities/recycling/fover.asp> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Wastes, Resource Conservation, Common Wastes and Materials- eCycling. 2013. Web. 22 Oct, 2013. Read More