E-waste and computers

According to the National Safety Council, more than 500 million computers will become obsolete in 2007, resulting in more than 6 billion pounds of plastic and more than one-and-a-half billion pounds of lead.

The United States generates more e-waste than any other country, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. More than 4.6 million tons of it clogged U.S. landfills in 2000. Rapid technology change, low initial cost and even planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast growing problem around the world.

Electronic waste items contain as much as 38 separate chemical elements, many of them toxic. The typical computer monitor contains more than 6 percent lead by weight. Computers also contain cadmium and mercury, heavy metals that are highly toxic.

When you are ready to buy a new computer or other electronic device, consider buying used. And be sure to return your old computer to the manufacturer or computer recycling center.

When you buy used or arrange for your old computer to be refurbished and reused, you reduce the amount of toxic waste going into landfills. You also reduce the demand for new products and their requirement for virgin raw materials and larger quantities of pure water and electricity for associated manufacturing. And you increase the availability of technology to more people due to greater affordability of products.