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Disposing of Technology

Dianne Anderson

Computer technology is improving at a rapid pace, resulting in a worldwide increase in computer purchasing and disposal. Nearly 269 million computers were sold during 2007; of those, the United States bought over 22 million. In 2006, the International Association of Electronics Recyclers projected that, using the current growth and obsolescence rates of consumer electronics, about three billion units would be scrapped before 2011 — an average of about 400 million units a year. This means that electronic waste currently constitutes between two and five percent of the United States’ municipal solid waste stream, and this number is growing rapidly.

What happens to all the abandoned computers? In the U.S., it is estimated that more than 70 percent of discarded computers end up in landfills, despite an increasing number of state laws. Many computers are donated or sold to developing nations as a way of avoiding recycling costs; an estimated 50 to 80 percent of electronic waste collected in the U.S. for recycling is exported to China, India, Pakistan, and other countries.1

Computers are sometimes improperly recycled or disposed of in developing nations, threatening the environment and the population’s health. Just one computer may contain hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals, including lead, mercury, cadmium, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Many of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, respiratory illness, and reproductive problems, and may travel long distances through air and water, accumulating in our bodies and the environment.

Increasing awareness of the health and environmental impacts of computer manufacturing and disposal has prompted many organizations to push for recycling laws mandating that components be extracted for reuse and requiring proper disposal. Today, lawmakers are not only passing laws, but taking these concerns one step further by placing the responsibility of proper product disposal on the manufacturer, a measure often called “product stewardship”. For example, Dell, Inc. now accepts a customer’s old computer upon purchase of a new one, and will recycle the old one properly, “closing the loop” for the customer.

How is New York City responding to these concerns? The city disposes of more than 25,000 tons of electronic waste each year. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation requires that all businesses and institutions dispose of used electronics through City-approved dismantlers and recyclers.

On February 13, 2008, the New York City Council passed a bill that requires all electronics manufacturers to submit electronic waste recycling plans in 2008 and to begin collecting products in 2009.2 Manufacturers will have to demonstrate that they are collecting and recycling a certain portion of discarded electronics each year, equal to a percentage of their average annual sales, as measured by weight. This bill is currently being reviewed by Mayor Bloomberg for final approval and enforcement.

When a computer needs to be replaced in a department at NYU, the old equipment is first evaluated for its reusability. If the unit is unusable, it is properly and locally recycled. If it can be reused, it will be cycled around the department; if it is not needed, it will be made available to other departments through the University’s Asset Management Office (see sidebar). During the 2006-07 fiscal year, 308 computers were redistributed through Asset Management, and 132 were given to non-profit organizations.

Each of us can help reduce the hazards posed by electronic waste by being conscious of the ways we dispose of it. NYU faculty, staff, and administrators may contact their building managers for proper disposal; outside the University, the City Recycling Program can aid in finding local recyclers or opportunities for reuse.3

Remember that dropping off your outdated electronics with a recycling company does not guarantee they will be disposed of safely. Ask about the company’s recycling process and whether they export waste items. Always remember to remove the data on your hard drive before discarding your computer!4 And before purchasing a new electronic gadget or computer, consider the quality of its construction and durability to ensure a long, useful life.

Footnotes

  1. For more information, see www.greencitizen.com/ewaste_crisis.php.
  2. Full text of bill available on the web.
  3. For more information about the City Recycling Program, visit www.nyc.gov/nycwasteless.
  4. For instructions and information about wiping your hard drive, visit www.nyu.edu/its/security/docs/disposal.html.

Author Biographies

Dianne Anderson is the Sustainable Resources Manager in NYU's Facilities & Construction Management department.