Electronic waste is more than improperly discarded batteries. The term encompasses nearly all appliances and digital devices that have the potential to become part of a landfill, and includes kitchen accessories as well as outdated computers. Once a limited issue, the problem is no longer restricted to wealthier consumer countries. Recycling and disposing of Austin e-waste efficiently and economically is a shared goal of most large Texas cities.
Dealing with this issue has become more urgent because of the numbers of people worldwide who can now afford to purchase and use them. Broken electronics are rarely repaired because newer, improved versions are constantly being offered to consumers, making maintenance irrelevant. Although the extreme toxins they contain consistently make headlines, they are not the only reason for proper disposal.
Within discarded appliances are a host of precious metals. The old cathode ray computer displays are now phased out, but any device containing a printed circuit also holds a small but significant amount of platinum, palladium, gold, and silver. Substances with generally unfamiliar names such as gallium and indium play an important role in flat-screen technology and other innovations, and all have considerable after-market value.
While it makes little sense to attempt extraction on an individual basis, large quantities of old circuit boards actually contain more precious metals than the original ores they were made from. The expensive and uncommon elements needed for operation are only a small portion of the metals used to make a new mobile device, which also contains tin and copper. Plastic housings can also be partially recycled.
The key to successful recycling is profitability. It can be performed on smaller scales by individuals, but the most efficient operations employ numbers of people. Most centers begin by separating individual components manually, removing both processors and microchips from the original housing. The remaining fragments are then run through a specialized chipper that shreds them and makes more intense separation possible.
After having been re-mined, most of the remainder then sold back to manufacturing firms for the creation of new products. Manufacturers benefit because they do not have to extract as much basic raw material from the earth, and consumers also enjoy somewhat lower prices as a result. Disposing of personal electronic waste responsibly is only part of the overall scenario, which has a predictably darker side.
Each year the collective mound of electronic garbage increases dramatically along with renewed efforts to promote proper disposal, but good intentions cannot keep pace with current rates of production. The associated health hazards have been proven, including mercury and lead poisoning. Children exposed to those materials often have multiple developmental problems, and adults suffer brain and respiratory issues.
It is nearly impossible to determine the actual amount of used electronic parts that are discarded worldwide. The problem is an outgrowth of societal and economic realities, and solutions can be found that make use of similar motivation for financial gain. While reminding people about the health issues of re-use is important, the most workable long-term answer will be produced by developing the industries that process e-waste profitably.
Dealing with this issue has become more urgent because of the numbers of people worldwide who can now afford to purchase and use them. Broken electronics are rarely repaired because newer, improved versions are constantly being offered to consumers, making maintenance irrelevant. Although the extreme toxins they contain consistently make headlines, they are not the only reason for proper disposal.
Within discarded appliances are a host of precious metals. The old cathode ray computer displays are now phased out, but any device containing a printed circuit also holds a small but significant amount of platinum, palladium, gold, and silver. Substances with generally unfamiliar names such as gallium and indium play an important role in flat-screen technology and other innovations, and all have considerable after-market value.
While it makes little sense to attempt extraction on an individual basis, large quantities of old circuit boards actually contain more precious metals than the original ores they were made from. The expensive and uncommon elements needed for operation are only a small portion of the metals used to make a new mobile device, which also contains tin and copper. Plastic housings can also be partially recycled.
The key to successful recycling is profitability. It can be performed on smaller scales by individuals, but the most efficient operations employ numbers of people. Most centers begin by separating individual components manually, removing both processors and microchips from the original housing. The remaining fragments are then run through a specialized chipper that shreds them and makes more intense separation possible.
After having been re-mined, most of the remainder then sold back to manufacturing firms for the creation of new products. Manufacturers benefit because they do not have to extract as much basic raw material from the earth, and consumers also enjoy somewhat lower prices as a result. Disposing of personal electronic waste responsibly is only part of the overall scenario, which has a predictably darker side.
Each year the collective mound of electronic garbage increases dramatically along with renewed efforts to promote proper disposal, but good intentions cannot keep pace with current rates of production. The associated health hazards have been proven, including mercury and lead poisoning. Children exposed to those materials often have multiple developmental problems, and adults suffer brain and respiratory issues.
It is nearly impossible to determine the actual amount of used electronic parts that are discarded worldwide. The problem is an outgrowth of societal and economic realities, and solutions can be found that make use of similar motivation for financial gain. While reminding people about the health issues of re-use is important, the most workable long-term answer will be produced by developing the industries that process e-waste profitably.
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