Our E-Waste Is Ridiculous, By Christina Bonnington

The article “Our E-Waste Problem Is Ridiculous, and Gadget Makers Aren’t Helping” by Christina Bonnington explains that our landfills are being filled with unused electronics of yesteryear. In 2011, there were 41.5 million tons of electronic wastes in landfills. In 2016, they projected the number to go up to 93.5 million tons. Specifically, our old products are in landfills now such as, HP computers, computer towers, cell phones, and batteries. The reason for all the waste is the human race is buying the newest electronics and not disposing of their unused and unwanted electronics properly. Also, not all of the unused electronics are recyclable. E-waste has a huge negative effect while in landfills because electronics breakdown and they breakdown

into chemicals. Arsenic, beryllium and lead to name a few which are working their way into our water supply, When we do recycle unused electronic devices it is inspected by hand and the manufacturer determines if it is fit to resell or refurbish. When an electronic is recycled and not fit for reselling or refurbishing, it is taken apart and shredded into different metal types like copper, silver and steel. The recycling process should be determined if there are enough metals to compromise the time of taking the device apart and if it is really worth it. These days, most electronics are very dangerous to disassemble. The challenges we have when recycling is the safety of the workers taking these devices apart. Glue and adhesives need to be removed before it can be melted down, broken down batteries can cause an explosion. Here is the trick you have to remove the glue that is next to the battery. Other safety hazards are screws, vast amounts of glass, plastics and tightly sealed devices. In our technologically advanced world, Apple is the most difficult to recycle because of the thin profile, big glass screens, and multiple colors. Some companies link with recycling companies to take apart these unused electronics. But, most times the trouble is not even worth it. Just like we are looking for the next and best with the speed of the device, and display size- recyclability should be one of the components that we look for in our next device we purchase.