All the News That’s Fit

As we prepare for the holiday season, one of the favorite gifts we give and receive is electronics. Be it a new flat-panel TV, laptop, phone, GSP, game station, or whatever, smiles appear when the wrapping paper comes off. We just can’t get enough of this stuff.
And when we do get a new piece of electronics, we typically throw out last-year’s model to make room – and if you’re responsible you recycle that e-waste. You should feel good about recycling these items because many contain lead, cadmium, PVCs and other toxin substances.
But there are a few issues with the process after you drop that gadget off at the recycling center. Some recyclers don’t always do the ethical thing, as 60 Minutes alleged in a report on e-waste November. A vast amount of e-waste actually ends up in China and other countries where it is disassembled in primitive ways that result in serious consequences for the health of the land, air, water, and people. If you haven’t seen this 60 Minutes report yet, then check it out here.
One way to ensure your e-waste is being recycled ethically and responsibly is to use this national directory, provided by the Electronics TakeBack Coalition. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of recyclers in the US that have signed up for the Coalition’s program… at least not yet.
Want to get involved ? Click here for more information.