Electronic waste recycling

Electronic waste recycling, electronics recycling, or e-waste recycling is the disassembly and separation of components and raw materials of waste <a href="/facts/Electronics/E4JhgISq">electronics</a>; when referring to specific types of <a href="/facts/Electronic_waste/LlV5hbCk">e-waste</a>, the terms like computer recycling or <a href="/facts/Mobile_phone_recycling/JooPFJVy">mobile phone recycling</a> may be used. Like other waste streams, <a href="/facts/Reuse/PbL4bSzI">reuse</a>, donation, and repair are common <a href="/facts/Sustainability/9oYH9mAs">sustainable</a> ways to dispose of <a href="/facts/Information_technology/glMzunwe">information technology</a> (IT) waste.
Since its inception in the early 1990s, more and more devices are being recycled worldwide due to increased awareness and investment. Electronic recycling occurs primarily to recover valuable, <a href="/facts/Rare-earth_element/PQSUQumk">rare-earth metals</a> and <a href="/facts/Precious_metal/oUHuGgva">precious metals</a>, which are in short supply, as well as <a href="/facts/Plastic_recycling/uk9fne5K">plastics</a> and metals. These are resold or used in new devices after purification, in effect creating a <a href="/facts/Circular_economy/13UFemv7">circular economy</a>. Such processes involve specialised facilities and premises, but within the home or ordinary workplace, sound components of damaged or obsolete computers can often be reused, reducing replacement costs.
Recycling is considered environmentally friendly because it prevents hazardous waste, including <a href="/facts/Toxic_heavy_metal/2VRBFJVm">heavy metals</a> and carcinogens, from entering the atmosphere, landfill, or waterways. While electronics make up a small fraction of total waste generated, they are far more dangerous. There is stringent legislation designed to enforce and encourage the sustainable disposal of appliances, the most notable being the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive of the <a href="/facts/European_Union/6GYcR8qM">European Union</a> and the <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a> National Computer Recycling Act. In 2009, 38% of <a href="/facts/Computer/SQe1aK05">computers</a> and a quarter of total electronic waste were recycled in the United States, 5% and 3% up from 3 years prior, respectively.

Electronic waste recycling open-in-new

Electronic waste recycling