E-Waste

The Consumer Electronics Association estimates that Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household. (1.) Each of these electronic devices quickly become obsolete and are replaced with new and improved equipment. But what happens to the old technology? Where does the equipment go?

This large volume of electronic waste or e-waste may not be the biggest problem. Computers and other electronic equipment contain toxic materials such as lead, polyvinyl chloride, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium.

Unfortunately, much of this equipment and the associated toxins end up in landfills here and abroad. Domestic recycling of electronics is a better answer to the problem. Midwest Electronic Recovery will fully recycle electronic equipment so that virtually none of it goes to a landfill.

Quick Facts!

  • The average computer monitor contains between 8 to 10 pounds of lead.
  • E-waste has the highest growth rate among all municipal waste in the United States.
  • Recycling e-waste reclaims resources such as gold, copper, lead, and aluminum; as well as recyclable plastics.
  • All materials found in e-waste have a market in the recycling industry.

1. Consumer Electronics Association Market Research Report: Trends in Consumer Electronic Reuse, Recycling and Removal. April 2008