destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, disposal in landfills or the ocean, or
for scrap (copper, steel, plastic, etc.). Electronic waste makes up 5% of all
municipal solid waste worldwide, nearly the same amount as all plastic
packaging, and is the fastest-growing component of the municipal solid-waste
stream because people are upgrading their electronics more frequently than ever
before. Estimates run as high as 80% of the electronic wastes meant to be
recycled in the United States do not get recycled in the United States, but are
sent to China, India, and developing countries for salvage or disposal.
Reasons for exporting e-wastes include:
■ It’s less expensive to export e-wastes due to the less expensive labor costs
abroad.
■ Exporters of e-wastes are not responsible for the health costs of the
workers in foreign countries.
■ By exporting e-wastes, the exporters do not have to comply with stringent
laws and regulations.
■ There are no NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) issues by exporting the
problem.
Environmental effects of e-wastes include:
■ Groundwater contamination
■ Air pollution that is caused by burning unsalvageable items, such as
plastics
■ Surface runoff, containing heavy metals
■ Human and wildlife health issues (e.g., birth defects, learning disabilities,
and reproductive problems) caused by breathing in and consuming heavy
metals.
Methods to reduce e-wastes include:
■ Adopting laws that outlaw exporting wastes
■ Requiring a “disposal tax” on products
■ Providing tax incentives to companies that adopt “trade-in” allowances to
consumers who have older models
Disposal and Reduction Strategies
The collection, transportation, and disposal of municipal solid waste presents
considerable costs, poses threats to health, and can result in a permanent loss of