What Happens To the Majority of E-Waste?

As we upgrade the things in our home, have you ever stopped to wonder where the last stop will be for that old coffee pot, broken cell phone or out of date camera? We upgrade things so quickly that there is hardly time to wonder what becomes of them after we’re finished. In fact, e-waste can take a series of twists and turns that lead to some very unexpected – and sometimes unpleasant – places.

The primary place most e-waste ends up is in a landfill. E-waste is the fastest growing garbage stream for municipalities to deal with and it has been for years. As the pace of technology increases, so does the rate by which we discard our old items as we purchase new. This puts an extreme amount of pressure on already overburdened landfills. This is a shame, since as much as 25% of e-waste is composed of usable products that could be resold, donated or repurposed.

Not only is this a socially irresponsible thing to do in terms of economics, but it is a dangerous environmental practice as well. Even the simplest electronic device contains dozens of harmful metals and chemicals that can leach into the water supply or the soil if improperly handled.

As much as half or more of e-waste can also be shipped outside the United States to global waste exporters. From here, the same products can end up in landfills in other countries or in the hands of poorly paid workers who smash through the product in search of its precious metals, exposing themselves and others to the toxic combination inside each cracked cell phone or printer.

The best place your e-waste could end up is with a certified recycler who handles e-waste disposal in San Diego. This ensures that the product will not leach dangerous chemicals and metals into the ground, that what can be reused will be reused properly, and that the workers handling the products are also safe. Fortunately, this is a trend that is on the upswing.

Keep your e-trash from going to bad places. Have a plan for your e-waste removal in San Diego from a certified recycling service!