Group items tagged

"E-waste Report: Determination of Regulated Elements in Seven Types of Discarded Consumer Electronic Products"; January 2004; Hazardous Material Laboratory, California Dept. of Toxic Substances Control;

Text of the pending Wisconsin e-waste law. This bill passed the WI Senate and arrived in the Assembly Tuesday, 6/16/09. Would require manufacturers of select consumer electronics (computers, printers and video display devices, such as TVs or monitors) to collect and recycle 80 percent of the weight of sold devices beginning in September. Beginning in February 2010, retailers can't sell electronics made by manufacturers that are not registered with WDNR. Manufacturers failing to meet their targets would be subject to a shortfall fee after 2010. Those who exceed their goals may be eligible for recycling credits. (Summary of bill taken from related article in GreenerComputing, 6/16/09.)

Many everyday consumer items now contain electronic parts. Every year an estimated 1 million tonnes of waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) are discarded by householders and commercial groups in the UK. Dealing with this waste is an important issue as electronic goods are becoming increasingly short lived, and so ever increasing quantities of obsolete and broken equipment are thrown away. Electronic and electrical equipment makes up on average 4% of European municipal waste, and is growing three times faster than any other municipal waste stream.

Answering questions about both e-waste disposal and recycling involves a host of challenges. For example, little information is available to allow a complete assessment of how e-waste ultimately managed. General estimates have been made about the management of cathode ray tubes (CRTs, the only devices where disposal is federally regulated), but little reliable information is available regarding other categories of e-waste. Further, little information is available regarding the total amount of functioning electronics exported to developing countries for legitimate reuse. What is known is that e-waste recycling involves complex processes and it is more costly to recycle e-waste in the United States, where there is a limited recycling infrastructure. It also is known that most consumer electronics manufacturers (who provide the market for material recovery from recycled electronics) have moved overseas.

Technology is a trend that will never go out of date. Every day is a new day for technology - you find a newly launched tech-device turning into a craze or a new smartphone catching the consumer's eye. Due to this disrupted mindset of consumers and many other reasons, e-waste management has become a global issue. Find out some of the opportunities that lie in this problem.

Purchasing a new gadget is a more reliable and easier way than going for a repair or refurbished ones - this myth is prevalent among consumers. But the fact is, if you find an optimum solution, repairing and refurbishing will prove out to be the saviours for your business. If you are looking to save more on your electronics purchase and invest that amount for your other things, then Veracity World is one such place for you. It offers reliable service and deals in electronics gadgets of all brands. Once associated with Veracity World, you will have all IT solutions available under one roof. You just need to act now to grab the best deal on electronics!

Buying new gadgets could be a tough dream for most of us. The reason is the sky-high cost. But things are changing. Customers and businesses in the Middle East and UAE have found a new way to fulfill their requirements. The rise of the market for refurbished products has brought a new opportunity for businesses and consumers.

If you are interested in saving a few bucks, does it make sense to buy refurbished gadgets? Are these electronics smart for your business? What should you watch out for? Without letting your mind oscillate from new to refurbished let us help you out with the facts and figures of refurbished electronics over the new ones to simplify your decision. Be a smart consumer and fulfil your wish of buying high specs electronics at the lowest prices!

This fall (Oct. 15th,) Americans will receive rebates for swapping clunky home appliances for newer, green models

History Channel clip of obsolete gadgets History Channel clip of obsolete gadgets

This NCER short report gives a good summary of collection centers specifically in West Virginia but there is also a section on the collection facilities on a national level.

As industry groups file suit against a New York City e-waste recycling program, AT&T is ramping up its own wireless recycling initiatives, showing the divergent attitude that is emerging among sellers of electronic devices. AT&T estimates it will collect roughly 14 million wireless devices for recycling by the end of 2011, which will keep more than 920 tons of primary materials and more than 13 tons of toxic waste out of landfills. Post provides highlights of AT&T e-waste initiative, information on lawsuit filed in NYC, and information on the Electronics Stewardship Association of British Columbia (ESABC). ESABC is revising the Environmental Handling Fees (EHFs) charged on products which were regulated for the launch of the program August 1, 2007. Most charges will be lowered between 20 to 75 percent. These changes will become effective on August 1, 2009 and are directly related to computer, printer, monitor and TV purchases.

Individuals who are moving can request the service from NorthStar, a Los Angeles-based moving company. E-Cycle Environmental employees will pick up old electronics, such as computers, televisions, batteries and other devices. The Los Angeles-area based electronics recycler will recycle the items and guarantees it will not export material to developing countries.

7/18/09 article from The Times [of London] on the problem of illegal e-waste trade and unsafe e-waste processing in Ghana. Article contains the following statistics: "Even in the European Union, which has some of the most stringent controls, an estimated 75 per cent of e-waste is unaccounted for. Most of this, an estimated 8.5 million tonnes a year, is believed to be finding its way to unofficial dumps in West Africa."

A nonprofit group has developed two new campaigns using technology toward their mission to provide safety to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.

'Analysts say going green has become a business plan for some of the biggest personal computer (PC) makers as a way to differentiate themselves from their competition, reports Reuters. The "green" talk is going over the top as computer makers spar with one another over who has the most "green" platform.' Discussion of some environmental claims made by top PC manufacturers, such as Dell, HP, & Apple. Environmental Leader, 6/22/09.

Basel Action Network (BAN) Toxic Trade News, 6/10/09. "The Environmental Protection Agency filed a legal Complaint and Compliance Order late last week against EarthEcycle, the electronic waste handler for several charity e-waste collection events held in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in recent days. Basel Action Network (BAN) tracked 7 sea-going containers of the collected toxic e-waste to Hong Kong and South Africa after assurances were made by EarthEcycle owner, Mr. Jeffrey Nixon, that the wastes would be recycled locally. The EPA complaint cites 7 violation counts for illegal management and exportation of 'Cathode Ray Tubes' - the picture tube of old computer monitors and TVs. The counts include 'unauthorized export of hazardous waste' and 'failure to prepare a hazardous waste manifest.'" Article also reports on the decision of certain charities to continue their fundraising relationships with EarthECycle despite allegations of illegal exportation of waste.

Waste & Recycling News, 6/10/09 edition. "LGE MobileComm USA, a unit of LG Electronics Inc., is teaming up with San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit to provide mobile phone recycling. LG began outfitting six BART stations in San Francisco with cell phone collection receptacles to encourage commuters to recycle their phones, chargers and accessories. The sites will accept any manufacturer's devices through July 6. Only 10% of the mobile phones sold in the United States are recycled, according to the company."