Much toxic computer waste lands in Third World
Link:http:/www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2002/02/25/computer-waste.htm
Proper solid waste disposal is a topic near and dear to my heart, for what we do today in that regards has a profound impact on future generations. I've learned many things over the years that the mainstream population probably doesn't have a clue about, and for some, if they do, they don't really care as long as it isn't their problem. But the truth is....it is everyone's problem.
There is lead, arsenic and cadmiun in televisions and computer monitors. There is an average of 8lbs of lead in a computer monitor or television. Backyard recyclers, the ones that choose to bury these hazardous substances on their property as opposed to proper disposal are contributing to an enormous amount of toxic waste into the groundwater, in the name of "saving money because electronics are too expensive to dispose of". I once had a customer who actually asked me if he could take televisions from our recycling shed so he and his young daughter could go out in their field and shoot them, thus releasing the hazardous substances into the atmosphere, and likely, end up putting the remnants into the ground afterward.
People need to be educated on this matter. My personal experience dealing with irate customers over the price of electronic recycling includes having an argument as to whether electronic are the same thing as appliances, which also have a fee for proper disposal but it is much less than electronics. I used to tell them, "hey you don't go looking for a television in the area they sell stoves, refrigerators or hot water heaters, same as you don't look for a stove or refrigerator in the television department. That would shut them up about what is what but they would still bitch about the cost of disposal, nonetheless. Actually, I brought home several TV's and stereos and gave them to friends that were in perfectly good working order. The throw away society we live in and the availability of cheap new electronics contribute dramatically to the landfill space problem, among other things.
Most people know about free ink cartridge recycling, but how many use it? Office supply stores in my area, and I assume most others, offer a free plastic bag that you can ship your used ink cartridges and they pay the postage. Does everyone with an empty ink cartridge use this convenient service? I think not. Just a wild guess on my part.
For a list on where to find a place to properly dispose of electronics in your area, check this website:
http://www.nrc-recycle.org/resources/electronics/search/getlisting.php
Another link specifically relating to Computers is at the following address:
http://www.computerhope.com/disposal.htm