Published: Oct. 13, 2015
By CU Recycling
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On Sept. 25, the newest iPhone became available for purchase. According to Apple, in just three days more than 13 million units of their newest gadget had been sold around the world. It鈥檚 highly unlikely that 13 million individuals needed brand new phones, but the culture of electronics encourages constant updates: newer is better, and it seems a better option is always right around the corner. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average phone is replaced every 18 months, and we don鈥檛 always think about what happens to technology once it鈥檚 out of our hands.听

In the U.S., we throw out two million to three million tons of electronics each year. Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the fastest growing component of the municipal waste stream worldwide, due to the high-speed consumerism that comes with constantly evolving technology. According to the EPA, televisions and computers each contain an average of four pounds of lead, as well other toxic substances such as chromium, mercury, and zinc. When put in landfills, these toxins leak into the earth and pollute groundwater. Smartphones have a slew of precious metals in them: gold, silver, platinum, copper, and rare earth metals such as Yttrium, Lanthanum, Neodymium and more are all present in the pocket-sized computers. According to 911 Metallurgist, on average, phones hold from 6-300 times more precious metal than the equivalent amount of ore from a mine. And currently, less than 1% of rare earth minerals are recycled.听

Tempting as it is to snag the fastest, newest models as soon as they come out, it鈥檚 important to use electronics for as long as possible and not jump to replace them before they鈥檙e in poor condition. Then, when technology is no longer useable, recycle it. We鈥檙e incredibly lucky to live in a place where it鈥檚 easy to recycle not only electronics, but all sorts of materials.

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听has formed a partnership with The Wireless Alliance to reuse and recycle old cell phones. You can drop off your old phones, chargers, cell phone batteries, and portable music devices at the UMC, Darley Commons in Williams Village, and Norlin Library to be recycled. You can also recycle old batteries on campus at several locations through Environmental Health and Safety.听

麻豆影院 is home to the first hard-to-recycle facility in the nation.听, has been recycling everything from light bulbs to yoga mats since 2001. They work with Electronics Recyclers International who are e-Steward Certified with the Basel Action Network to assure electronic scrap is safely processed within developed countries, not shipped abroad where it pollutes the water and land of those who sort it- which is both a social and environmental injustice.

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You can use听听to find out how to recycle, compost, or reuse just about anything. Be sure to check out CHaRM鈥檚 Guidelines and Fees before heading out to the facility,听.听

Make the sustainable choice, and think twice before throwing things away, especially when it comes to electronics. Even though we can鈥檛 see the effects of e-waste once it鈥檚 out of our site, the pollution that comes from technology is rapidly impacting the wellbeing of the planet and its people. Do your part to sustain a safe, healthy and happy earth.

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