| Electronic Waste FAQ
What are e-waste and e-recycling?
e-waste is a term coined for unwanted electronic materials such as obsolete computers and cell phones. e-recycling is an abbreviation for electronincs recycling. For our e-Recycling Collection events, we include any product which has a circuit board inside – computer, monitors, TVs, microwaves, cell phones. Simple appliances like irons, toasters, or vacuum cleaners are not included.
Can e-recycling ever work in Alaska?
Some people believe that Fairbanks is too far away and it’s too expensive to attempt any type of recycling but we hope to prove those ideas wrong! We do have some inspiration from our counterpart in Anchorage, Green Star Inc. They held 4 annual e-waste recycling events and the most recent one in 2006 collected 336 tons in 4 days. This put them on the map and enticed a Seattle-based recycling firm to set up shop in Anchorage to handle the volume it never knew was there. If we can educate our community about the importance of recycling and set up a system for doing it, we believe it is possible to recycle affordably.
How big a problem is it anyway?
e-waste is the fastest growing part of our waste stream. New electronic products are coming on the market every day and because technology improves so quickly, it means we are constantly upgrading and replacing our obsolete equipment. Added to a low recycling effort nation-wide, that explains why e-waste has grown almost three times faster than our overall municipal waste stream.
With an average lifetime of a personal computer (PC) being 5 years, the National Safety Council estimated approximately 41 million computers became outdated in 2004, and 63 million additional computers were obsolete in 2005. Researchers estimated that 75% of these obsolete computers are currently stored and will reach a total of 500 million by 2007. The population of the U.S. about 301 million – that means there are almost twice as many old computers in the US as there are people! All those old computers will eventually require disposal.
What happens if I just put my e-waste into the trash?
It's not just the sheer mass of these items that is the problem. Electronic products contain toxic materials. For example, a typical desktop computer (hard-drive and 17" CRT monitor) weighs 60 lbs and contains 2 to 4 pounds of lead. Many monitors and TVs use Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) to produce sharp images. The glass screen in each monitor contains lead to shield the user from radiation produced by the CRT. Other toxic substances found in electronic devices include mercury, cadmium, copper, lithium, brominates flame-retardants, and phosphorus.
Fairbanks has a lined landfill for regular waste. The leachate that is generated is collected, tested, and if it passes disposal requirements is then pumped to the local waste water plant for disposal. Your groundwater is being protected, but e-waste can be better disposed of by recycling through local Green Star e-waste recycling events.
How is e-waste recycled?
Many of the materials in e-waste such as the plastics, glass, steel, gold, lead, mercury, cadmium and fire retardants can be recaptured for reuse. The recycling process separates CRTs and other computer equipment into component parts: leaded glass, precious metals, non-precious metals, plastics, etc. and makes the residuals available to manufacturers. This process reduces our demand for raw materials and energy, reduces the burden on landfills, and reduces the amount of hazardous materials entering our environment.
Why do I have to pay to recycle my electronic waste?
For anyone used to dropping it off at the landfill for free it can be quite a shock to learn you need to pay to have your electronics taken away. However, it costs money to separate the components of a product and distribute it to the end users – to “unmanufacture” it. At this time it costs more to separate the components than the components can be sold for, so the recycling companies need to charge a fee to cover their expenses. The price varies from 30 to 58 cents a pound. At the Interior Alaska Green Star recycling events, support from our private and corporate sponsors allows us to charge you a reduced fee.
Where does the electronic waste go after I turn it in for recycling?
A team of dedicated Green Star volunteers pack it carefully onto the trailers for shipment down to Seattle, where the nearest recycling plant is. Last year, thanks to the generous support of Lynden Transport, we were able to eliminate shipping costs for our collection event. We hope to make similar arrangements with either Lynden or another willing company this year.
Not all recycling facilities are created equal, by the way. Caution must be made in selecting recyclers that can certify that their practices ensure worker safety and the prevention of toxic releases to the environment. Some merely export discarded products to developing countries, where labor costs are lower and environmental regulations are often lax or not enforced, often resulting in major pollution and health problems in other communities. Interior Alaska Green Star has researched and selected the recycling company in Seattle, Total Reclaim, to be assured that all e-waste they receive is processed according to proper procedures
What can I do with unwanted electronics if I missed e-recycling collection event?
We also encourage people to list unwanted but working equipment on Alaska Materials Exchange (AME). Alaska Materials Exchange is an interactive, on-line resource for businesses, allowing them to list unwanted, but still usable commercial and industrial items. Businesses also can search the site for items they are seeking. Interior Alaska Green Star is also working to network businesses with recyclers so that business can be self sufficient in recycling their own e-waste.
Do you offer training on electronic waste and recycling?
We offer classroom presentations on electronic waste and recycling. To find out more contact Darcie Warden, 907.452.4152, darcie at iagreenstar.org
|
home about programs participate events resources