There is more to electronic e-waste than carelessly discarded batteries. The terminology includes all digital devices and appliances with the potential to be tossed into a landfill, including kitchen microwave ovens as well as old computers. The problem is growing, and not limited to wealthier consumer-oriented countries. Recycling and re-using Austin e-waste both responsibly and profitably is a common goal for many Texas municipalities.
Dealing with this issue has become more urgent because of the numbers of people worldwide who can now afford to purchase and use them. Broken electronics are rarely repaired because newer, improved versions are constantly being offered to consumers, making maintenance irrelevant. Although the extreme toxins they contain consistently make headlines, they are not the only reason for proper disposal.
Within discarded appliances are a host of precious metals. The old cathode ray computer displays are now phased out, but any device containing a printed circuit also holds a small but significant amount of platinum, palladium, gold, and silver. Substances with generally unfamiliar names such as gallium and indium play an important role in flat-screen technology and other innovations, and all have considerable after-market value.
Although melting down unused cell phones to extract valuable metals does not make sense individually, in large quantities the process produces more refined metal than the original ore that bore it. Costly and comparatively rare elements are only a fraction of the metals used during manufacturing a mobile phone, which also contains copper and tin. The plastics used to create housings can also be partially reused.
The process begins with collecting discarded items profitably. This can be accomplished voluntarily on a small scale by individuals, or more efficiently by larger businesses. In many locations it begins by manually separating the internal components, which removes microchips and processors from their individual frames. The remainder is then run through a device that shreds the material in a way that makes further purification possible.
After having been re-mined, most of the remainder then sold back to manufacturing firms for the creation of new products. Manufacturers benefit because they do not have to extract as much basic raw material from the earth, and consumers also enjoy somewhat lower prices as a result. Disposing of personal electronic waste responsibly is only part of the overall scenario, which has a predictably darker side.
As the amount of this discarded material increases, efforts to promote recycling have been scaled up, but the amount of waste alone still poses health hazards. The effects have been widely documented, and include both mercury and lead poisoning. Children exposed over time to these toxins often have developmental issues, and adults may suffer brain issues or respiratory problems.
The extent of this type of contamination is difficult to accurately track using conventional processes. The issue exists because of current economic and societal realities, and can be solved in a similar manner. Although it is urgent to remind people of the health hazards that uncontrolled e-waste dumping produces, the most practical solution for the long term is further development of business that profits from recycled electronics.
Dealing with this issue has become more urgent because of the numbers of people worldwide who can now afford to purchase and use them. Broken electronics are rarely repaired because newer, improved versions are constantly being offered to consumers, making maintenance irrelevant. Although the extreme toxins they contain consistently make headlines, they are not the only reason for proper disposal.
Within discarded appliances are a host of precious metals. The old cathode ray computer displays are now phased out, but any device containing a printed circuit also holds a small but significant amount of platinum, palladium, gold, and silver. Substances with generally unfamiliar names such as gallium and indium play an important role in flat-screen technology and other innovations, and all have considerable after-market value.
Although melting down unused cell phones to extract valuable metals does not make sense individually, in large quantities the process produces more refined metal than the original ore that bore it. Costly and comparatively rare elements are only a fraction of the metals used during manufacturing a mobile phone, which also contains copper and tin. The plastics used to create housings can also be partially reused.
The process begins with collecting discarded items profitably. This can be accomplished voluntarily on a small scale by individuals, or more efficiently by larger businesses. In many locations it begins by manually separating the internal components, which removes microchips and processors from their individual frames. The remainder is then run through a device that shreds the material in a way that makes further purification possible.
After having been re-mined, most of the remainder then sold back to manufacturing firms for the creation of new products. Manufacturers benefit because they do not have to extract as much basic raw material from the earth, and consumers also enjoy somewhat lower prices as a result. Disposing of personal electronic waste responsibly is only part of the overall scenario, which has a predictably darker side.
As the amount of this discarded material increases, efforts to promote recycling have been scaled up, but the amount of waste alone still poses health hazards. The effects have been widely documented, and include both mercury and lead poisoning. Children exposed over time to these toxins often have developmental issues, and adults may suffer brain issues or respiratory problems.
The extent of this type of contamination is difficult to accurately track using conventional processes. The issue exists because of current economic and societal realities, and can be solved in a similar manner. Although it is urgent to remind people of the health hazards that uncontrolled e-waste dumping produces, the most practical solution for the long term is further development of business that profits from recycled electronics.
About the Author:
If you want more info on Austin e-waste services, don't look any further than our website. View this homepage by clicking on the link http://www.ztechglobal.net today.
No comments:
Post a Comment