Yann Jules Electronics
Electronics are a fast-growing waste stream. As we replace old electronic products with newer models, the stockpile of used and obsolete products grows. The national safety council projects that nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years and mobile phones are discarded at a rate of 130 million per year. Electronics contain hazardous materials. Hazardous materials, such as lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium, can be found in a variety of electronics. A television or crt monitor contains four pounds of lead on average. Circuit boards, batteries, and color cathode ray tubes (crts) are just some of the common electronic parts that can be released into the environment through incinerator ash or landfill leachate. Electronics are made with valuable materials. Epa reported that in 1998, over 112 million pounds of materials were recovered from electronics, including steel, glass, and plastic, as well as precious metals. Reusing and recycling the raw materials from end-of-life electronics conserves natural resources and avoids the air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing new products
Electronics are in storage, in part because of the uncertainty of their viability. Combine this with increasing advances in technology and new products headed towards the market and it is no wonder that “e-waste” is a popular topic. Is “e-waste” clearly defined?. The term “e-waste” is loosely applied to consumer and business electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful life. There is no clear definition for e-waste; for instance whether or not items like microwave ovens and other similar “appliances” should be grouped into the category has not been established. Is “e-waste” considered hazardous?. Certain components of some electronic products contain materials that render them hazardous, depending on their condition and density.
Electronics are a popular gift idea during christmas time. Electronic readers, video game consoles and tablet pc’s are expected to continue to be popular and this is a good thing.
You would never think buying a used car or home is a bad idea, and you would never do it blindly either. The same principle applies to purchasing refurbished electronics. A good idea, when, combined with research, can prove to be a great benefit to the consumer. With video game consoles becoming more and more expensive, and with more competition to choose from, there needs to be an outlet for people to get what they want without having to exceed their financial considerations. Everyone wants the hottest video game system, mp3 player or video camera out there, but not everyone can afford to purchase them either. For those who can’t, there is an option, and that is to purchase a refurbished version of the product. Again, in many cases refurbished does not mean opened, used, enjoyed, repaired or rebuilt. It just means that the item can not – by law – be defined and sold as a brand new product. It also means that savvy customers, who don’t mind paying a little less, will end up with an exceptional electronic item at an exceptionally low cost.
Electronics are too good to be true.The Better Business Bureau is advising holiday shoppers to keep an eye out for five red flags of unscrupulous consumer electronics stores. Shoppers are increasingly heading to the internet to look for deals. According to a survey from burst media, 85. 3 percent of respondents will shop online this holiday season. Because of the economy, holiday spending is expected to drop slightly this year from 2008, and some industry experts predict that retailers will make deep price cuts, particularly on electronics, to lure in shoppers. Unfortunately, not all web sites promising rock bottom discounts on electronics are legitimate and consumers need to do their research when shopping online or they risk getting ripped off by a scammer’s online store.
In conclusion, before we rush out to spend our holiday dollars on recycled or reusable electronic products, keep in mind that we have
to pre-determine where and how these products can best be utilized by the recipients and the practical application of a slightly more
innovative present…..happy shopping:)