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E steward certification12/3/2023 The Importance of Cell Phone Recycling (Repowered) This article from Global E-Waste Statistics Partnerships explains the six different categories of e-waste. What is E-waste? (Global E-Waste Statistics Partnership) E-waste recycling is part of the circular economy. Instead of extracting raw materials from the earth, making something, and then dumping it when you’re done with it, you would reuse and recycle materials and use those materials in the manufacturing process so that you are generating less waste and extracting fewer raw materials from the earth. They have surprise inspections to make sure they are doing so.Ī circular economy is an antithesis of designing for the dump. E-steward-certified recyclers have pledged to not ship their stuff overseas, and handle the waste in an environmentally sound way. What should you do with your old electronics?ĭropping your electronics off at an e-stewards certified recycler is one of the best ways to ensure your e-waste won’t go overseas and will be handled responsibly. The World Health Organization estimates that 18 million children work at these dangerous e-waste dump sites around the globe. This exposes workers and the environment to those toxic substances, which has created massive environmental and health problems. But, sometimes recyclers end up shipping old electronics overseas to developing countries– where they do not have strict environmental and safety standards. This can mean that parts like metals and plastics can be separated out, and then sold to smelters to go back into manufacturing. Some devices or components can be refurbished or reused, while others will be processed. At a recycling facility, it’s often sorted, and data is deleted from devices. E-waste is tricky to recycle because there are so many different types that all contain a different mix of materials, some of which is toxic. If you take your e-waste to a collection site or recycler, then those electronics are likely taken to a recycling facility and processed there. Smoke from burning e-waste is very toxic. If those are not handled properly, they can contaminate the environment and cause serious health issues. Around 6.92 million tons in 2019 alone and a lot of that e-waste contains toxic chemicals, such as lead and mercury, and brominated flame retardants. Į-waste is basically anything with a plug or battery that you don’t want or need anymore. TEACHERS : Bring Above the Noise into your middle or high school classroom with free lesson plans, viewing guides, transcripts, and more for all episodes on PBS Learning Media. Join Myles in investigating where our e-waste goes once we get rid of it to answer the question: How does e-waste impact the environment? What many folks don’t know is that a lot of that e-waste contains toxic chemicals, things like lead and mercury, which if they aren’t handled properly can contaminate the environment and cause serious health issues. E-waste is tricky to recycle because there are so many different types that all contain a different mix of materials. Basically, anything that can be plugged in or has a battery can be considered electronic waste, or e-waste, once it is broken or no longer in use. America tosses out tons of old electronics every year from cell phones, laptops, TVs, and even coffeemakers.
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