E-WASTE
E-WASTE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSITION TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY BY MARK KASPER
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-waste – defined as electronics that are nearing the end of their useful life – is piling up at rates faster than ever before. Yet the recycling rate for e-waste is less than 20 percent globally, and in the U.S. it is less than 10 percent. This is a clear area of concern, as it is uncertain as to how the other 80 to 90 percent of e-waste is being managed during the disposal process and the location of final placement. Many electronics contain toxic heavy metals and materials such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. E-waste that is improperly discarded can potentially leach into groundwater and soil which can be harmful to human health and our environment. Though called “waste,” there is inherent value in the materials of used electronics that should be recognized for reuse, recycling, or refurbishment to minimize the actual waste that might end up in a landfill or improperly disposed of in an unprotected dump site either in the U.S. or abroad. When electronics have reached their end-of-life, they must not only be handled in a responsible and compliant manner, but organizations must also focus on solutions that reduce their potential environmental impact due to their hazardous components.
To improve collection and the circular economy, more countries are taking action and creating policies around e-waste and its handling.
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recyclingproductnews.com | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
The recycling rate for e-waste is less than 20 percent globally, and in the U.S. it is less than 10 percent.
Below, we will explore ways to transition to a circular economy for this material.
IMPROVING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY OF E-WASTE
Recycling and waste diversion professionals involved in the environmental health and safety (EH&S) and sustainability efforts for their company should keep used and expired IT equipment and electronics handling top of mind during the change and disposal process to ensure proper destruction and final placement. Whether due to the risk of sensitive information exposure, or because the hardware could be unethically disposed of, recycling professionals should have clear insight into where their company’s e-waste goes and what is done with it. According to the EPA, an undetermined amount of used electronics are shipped from the U.S. and other developed countries to countries that lack the capacity to reject imports or to handle these materials appropriately. Without proper standards and enforcement, improper practices may result in public health and environmental concerns, even in countries where processing facilities exist. If e-waste is instead sent to a legitimate, certified recycler, then no environmental harm is caused, and the commodities generated can go back into the reuse market as part of the circular economy. To improve collection and the circular economy, more countries are taking action and creating policies around e-waste and its handling. The annual Global E-waste Monitor reports that, since 2014, the number of countries that have adopted a national e-waste policy, legislation or regulation has increased from 61 to 78 countries. However, regulatory advances in some regions are slow, enforcement is poor, and policy, legislation, or regulation
