E-Waste Management

Due to the increase of global production of and demand for consumer electronics, the question of what to do with e-waste has become an important and complex issue of international environmental policy. E-waste consists of used or broken electronic or electrical devices, like computers, televisions, cell phones, spare wires, and circuit boards. Careful consideration must be given to these devices, as they are a significant source of toxic pollution into national and international waste streams. In 2007, consumer electronics comprised approximately 2 percent of the United States’ solid waste stream, totaling approximately 2.5 million tons, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

E-waste management encompasses personal, business, and governmental strategies that can be used to responsibly handle decommissioned electronic components and devices. Depending on the ...