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"Follow WEEE regulations when disposing of LEDs, says expert "

"E-waste disposal worries"

Collective concern from businesses, municipalities, environmentalists and manufacturers over the hazards of e-waste has led to a search for ways to reduce its environmental impact. With a greater need for programs that handle collection and disposal of used electronics products in a way that is safest for the environment, product stewardship is emerging as a viable and cost-efficient strategy for doing so, placing the responsibility for a product's proper disposal on the shoulders of the company that makes or sells the product, or even upon the purchaser. The concept can be applied to a range of products, from paints and prescription medication to batteries and computers. Written by Carl Smith, CEO of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, 7/22/09.

Living in an age of disposability has led many durable goods manufacturers to explore ways of reducing the environmental footprint their products leave during their manufacturing process and throughout their lifecycle. The sheer volume of mobile phones produced annually and the propensity of users to chase mobile technology trends leads to an average replacement cycle of between 12 and 18 months, bringing special attention to the greening efforts of mobile device manufacturers. As consumer awareness and environmental legislation continue to evolve, handset vendors are developing their corporate responsibility initiatives to develop new business practices aimed at improving the compliance and environmental sustainability of their handsets. The European commission and industry-led initiatives have made great progress in developing a set of requirements and goals for developing sustainable business practices across the entire life cycle of handset production, distribution, use and disposal. This study identifies and explores key global handset initiatives and the handsets that are coming to market as a result of vendors' efforts to minimize their environmental impact. It also offers an analysis of US consumer interest, awareness and preferences of green handset vendor initiatives. Available for purchase from ABI Research at this URL.

"Hazards of electronic waste disposal cited"

"Firms Can Help Properly Dispose Of Unwanted Electronics "

"Safe e-waste disposal at government offices in City"

"Law to make producers responsible for e-waste"

"Law to force more manufacturers to pay for waste disposal"

"Resident Cry Out Over Dangers of Poor E-Waste Disposal"

"For some parts of the world, technology has come to deliver longer lives, better health and greater conveniences. However, that progress has also come at a cost to other parts of the world. We live in an era of cheap, disposable electronic consumer goods, and it's taken its toll on places where products are made before they're delivered to you, and where they go after they're tossed aside for the next big thing."