EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE E-WASTE

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EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE E-WASTE
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• More and more efforts are being made to lessen
  the amount of electronic waste all over the
  globe. The issues surrounding electronic waste
  are increasing as the amount of e-waste continues
  to grow with each passing year. Here in the
  United States, there are new regulations and laws
  being made. These new laws and regulations can be
  helpful when it comes to managing our global
  electronic waste problem.
• Unfortunately, some of the e-waste recycling
  companies in developed countries like the United
  States seem to be contributing to the electronic
  waste problem whenever they export large amounts
  of e-waste to developing countries in places like
  Asia and West Africa.

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The Effects of Exporting E-Waste
Recycling of electronic waste is supposed to be
helpful to our environment. It can help keep less
toxic materials out of landfills, which in turn,
keeps less pollution out of our air and less
contamination out of our soil and water supplies.
However, when e-waste is exported to developing
countries, this can actually defeat the purpose
of our e-cycling efforts. Developing countries
recycle e-waste in informal, unregulated
backyard e-cycling facilities. The e-cycling
workers are not protected from the potentially
harmful toxins and other potentially hazardous
materials, and very little to no steps are taken
to ensure air pollution and water and soil
contamination is kept to a minimum.
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Choosing Reputable E-Cycling Companies

• The environments around these informal e-cycling
  plants are suffering from the effects of e-waste
  in numerous ways. This is one of the biggest
  reasons why it is important that we only choose
  to use e-stewards, certified recycling centers or
  original electronic product manufacturers
  whenever we recycle our electronics. Also, you
  should conduct a little bit of research when
  deciding on an e-cycling facility to make sure
  your local e-waste remains local (within the
  U.S.).
• E-Stewards are e-waste recycling programs that
  have been reviewed by the BAN Basel Action
  Network. This means that they do not export
  e-waste to developing countries which only adds
  to an already growing electronic waste issue.
  Unfortunately, these e-stewards are not located
  in every state of the U.S. just yet.

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• If there are no e-stewards located in or near the
  area where you reside, it is recommended that you
  contact the original manufacturers of your
  electronic gadgets. They are required by law to
  provide recycling services for their electronic
  products. You should be able to send your old
  electronics to their manufacturers for recycling
  purposes.
• A third recommended option is to locate a
  certified recycling center in your area that
  accepts electronic waste. You should always
  remember to ask if their e-waste remains in the
  country or if it is exported to developing
  nations.

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Benefits of Reducing E-Waste

• When our electronic waste is properly recycled,
  it is beneficial to the environment as well as
  our general health. A reduction in e-waste equals
  a reduction in air pollution and a reduction in
  contaminated soil and water. It also means
  increased above ground mining. Above ground
  mining is a term used to describe the harvesting
  of rare metals and other useful materials from
  recycled electronics which reduces the need to
  mine them from within the earth.
• With all of these ways to effectively reduce
  e-waste, it is important to spread the word and
  have as many people participate in effective
  e-cycling as possible. In this way we can take
  steps to improve our worlds environment.

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Questions? Comments?

• Website
• http//www.allgreenrecycling.com/
• All Green Recycling
• info_at_allgreenrecycling.com
• [phone]  
• Resources
• http//www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013
  /dec/14/toxic-ewaste-illegal-dumping-developing-co
  untries
• http//www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-recy
  cle-your-old-computer/

• We are happy to help you!