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