Tuesday, April 28, 2009

What are Manufacturers Doing About E-waste?

The Electronics Manufacturers Coalition for Responsible Recycling (Coalition) represents sixteen of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world who have come together to support the use of an advance-recycling fee (ARF) to pay for a consumer electronics-recycling program. The coalition members are Canon, Epson, Hitachi, IBM, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sanyo, Sharp, Sony, Thompson, and Toshiba. The Coalition supports an ARF because experience in California, a number of European countries and some Canadian provinces has clearly shown that an ARF provides a sustainable and adequate source of funds to local governments and recyclers for recycling end of life electronics in the most cost-effective manner possible while a maintaining level playing field in the market. Many states currently use ARF type funding mechanisms for lead acid batteries, tires and beverage containers.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

What to do with your unwanted electronics?

Getting rid of unwanted electronic equipment is a serious problem. The equipment contains hazardous materials, which are released when the equipment is broken down. If the equipment goes into landfills, it will pollute the ground and the water. If it's shipped off to third-world countries, as it often is, it creates lethal hazards for the people working with, and living near, the mountains of electronic waste that are a growing problem in poverty-stricken areas..

What do we do now?
If it's still usable, you can donate it to a charity or to an individual. If it's broken, or so obsolete that not even a charity will take it, then look for reputable recyclers.

There is no guarantee that even the most honest-appearing companies will dispose of the waste properly, as a shocking recent investigation by 60 Minutes revealed. However, you can increase the odds that your equipment will not end up in an illegal dump by dealing with well-known companies.

When you buy new equipment, check to see whether the manufacturer will accept your old equipment back for recycling. Some of the computer companies do this routinely, as do some of the phone manufacturers. Also check with your local city or county government to see if they have special electronic-equipment recycling days.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Manufacturer and Retailer Programs

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working to educate consumers and others on why it is important to reuse and recycle electronics and what the options are for safe reuse and recycling of these products. State and local governments, manufacturers, and retailers, who are already aware of the pressing need to better manage these materials, are providing more opportunities to recycle and reuse this equipment. Many computer manufacturers, TV manufacturers, and electronics retailers offer some kind of take back program or sponsor recycling events. Many states have passed some sort of legislation to manage end-of-life electronics, and more are expected to follow suit.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Retailer on the go!

Recycling grant program – As U.S. largest retailer of consumer electronics, Best Buy now offers grants to help increase the recycling opportunities available in communities across the country. Grants range from $500 to $1,500 per event, depending on the size of and scope of the program hosted by nonprofit organizations, cities, counties, or public-private partnerships.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Earth Day-"WE" must go green! April 22, 2009

Check up my newly established blog in honor of "Earth Day," it's very interesting!...

Friday, April 10, 2009

The News

PHILADELPHIA – Purchased a new computer over the holidays? Don’t know what to do with the one you had? You aren’t alone. As the computer age grows up, computer recycling has arrived. Where do old computers go when they have outlived their usefulness?

Sunday, April 5, 2009

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

Every day you hear the phrase "Electronic Waste" or e-waste and begin to build up questions. "The United States Environmental Protection Agency-EPA" has answers to all your frequent asked questions. Enjoy the site!