There is more to electronic e-waste than carelessly discarded batteries. The terminology includes all digital devices and appliances with the potential to be tossed into a landfill, including kitchen microwave ovens as well as old computers. The problem is growing, and not limited to wealthier consumer-oriented countries. Recycling and re-using Austin e-waste both responsibly and profitably is a common goal for many Texas municipalities.
The primary driving force behind this explosion in consumer electronics is improved economics that expands buying ability while keeping prices down. Most types of these devices are constantly being improved, and there is no effort made to repair the old ones that fail. There have been many sensational news stories regarding the highly toxic substances they contain, but that issue is only one part of the picture.
Inside each old appliance are a long list of precious metals. Although the old massive computer displays are gone, any new device that hosts a printed circuit automatically contains a measurable amount of gold, platinum, silver, and palladium. Elements with exotic names such as indium and gallium are important in new flat-screen display technologies, and all have comparatively high value in the recycling industry.
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 process begins with collecting discarded items profitably. This can be accomplished voluntarily on a small scale by individuals, or more efficiently by larger businesses. In many locations it begins by manually separating the internal components, which removes microchips and processors from their individual frames. The remainder is then run through a device that shreds the material in a way that makes further purification possible.
After being re-mined in this fashion, the purified materials are resold to manufacturers. Business owners benefit because this saves them from buying new metals on the world market, and consumers also benefit from lowered production costs. While it is vitally important to recycle this form of waste properly to prevent environmental degradation, that is only one benefit of recycling.
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.
The extent of this type of contamination is difficult to accurately track using conventional processes. The issue exists because of current economic and societal realities, and can be solved in a similar manner. Although it is urgent to remind people of the health hazards that uncontrolled e-waste dumping produces, the most practical solution for the long term is further development of business that profits from recycled electronics.
The primary driving force behind this explosion in consumer electronics is improved economics that expands buying ability while keeping prices down. Most types of these devices are constantly being improved, and there is no effort made to repair the old ones that fail. There have been many sensational news stories regarding the highly toxic substances they contain, but that issue is only one part of the picture.
Inside each old appliance are a long list of precious metals. Although the old massive computer displays are gone, any new device that hosts a printed circuit automatically contains a measurable amount of gold, platinum, silver, and palladium. Elements with exotic names such as indium and gallium are important in new flat-screen display technologies, and all have comparatively high value in the recycling industry.
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 process begins with collecting discarded items profitably. This can be accomplished voluntarily on a small scale by individuals, or more efficiently by larger businesses. In many locations it begins by manually separating the internal components, which removes microchips and processors from their individual frames. The remainder is then run through a device that shreds the material in a way that makes further purification possible.
After being re-mined in this fashion, the purified materials are resold to manufacturers. Business owners benefit because this saves them from buying new metals on the world market, and consumers also benefit from lowered production costs. While it is vitally important to recycle this form of waste properly to prevent environmental degradation, that is only one benefit of recycling.
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.
The extent of this type of contamination is difficult to accurately track using conventional processes. The issue exists because of current economic and societal realities, and can be solved in a similar manner. Although it is urgent to remind people of the health hazards that uncontrolled e-waste dumping produces, the most practical solution for the long term is further development of business that profits from recycled electronics.
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