E-Waste Recycling

Electronic waste or e-waste is a term used for electronic products that have become obsolete, and have reached the end of their useful life. As technology is advancing at such a high rate, many electronic devices become "trash" after years of use. In fact, all the categories of old electronic items contribute to e-waste.E-waste is created from anything electronic: computers, TVs, monitors, mobile phones, PDA, VCRs, CD players, fax machines, printers, etc.Obsolete electronic devices are rapidly filling landfills around the globe. Australians are among the highest users of technology, and e-waste is one of the fastest growing types of waste. Of the 15.7 million computers that reached their 'end of life' in Australia in 2007-08, only 1.5 million were recycled - that's less the 10%. (As per Australian bureau of statistics report)

Most electronics that are improperly thrown away contain some form of harmful materials such as beryllium, cadmium, mercury, and lead which when added up in volume, it's threat to the environment becomes significant. Besides adding harmful elements to the environment, improper disposal of e-waste is a recycling opportunity lost. Almost all electronic waste contain some form of recyclable material, including plastic, glass, and metals.

The solution to the e-waste problem starts with providing proper education. If we can educate people about it, there is a strong possibility that their habits will change accordingly. Currently people are more aware of paper and generic waste recycling but e-waste, not so much.