Our society has grown dependent on computers. They are used in our shoes, clothing, and our children’s dolls. We are creating these computers at a breaking rate but are we really disposing of them correctly?
As harmless as they appear, these discarded computers and electronics contain substances that pose a threat to our environment and to our bodies. According to the Elizabeth Gorssman, author of “High Tech Trash:
Discarded electronics account for approximately 70 percent of heavy metals and 40 percent of the lead found in U.S. landfills according to a 2001 EPA report.
The world generates twenty to fifty million metric tons of e-waste each year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
There are several things each of us can do to help:
- Recycle old computers – organizations like Freegeek take old computers and will refurbish or break them down for recycling.
- Donate your old phone or computer to a charity or a needy individual.
- Slow down your electronic purchases – do you really need a new cell phone every 6 months?
This post was created as part of Blog Action Day, where bloggers around the world unite to write about the environment.
Eric
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