E-Waste Recycling
Alejandro Garcia
CSUN Undergraduate
California State University, Northridge
Prepared for
Noreen Lace
November 27, 2018
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations 2
Abstract 4
Introduction 5
Background 5
Problem 5
Purpose 6
Scope 6
Discussion 7
Life Cycle of Electronic Devices 7
CSUN Sustainability Plan: E-Waste 9
The Cost of Proper Recycling 10
What are other Schools doing? 11
Recommendations 11
Conclusion 11
References 12
List of Illustrations
Figure 1: Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2018)……………………………..7
Figure 2: Source: Statista, Statistics Portal. (2015)……………………………………………………………….9
Figure 3: Source: Cal Recycle. (2018). ………………………………………………………….10
Abstract
This report investigates the growing issue of electronic waste and how it relates to students who attend California State University, Northridge. Investigations into the current sustainability plan regarding this issue with also be mentioned in detail in order to showcase the efforts already in place. This report will provide information such as what e-waste is, the effects on the environment and the costs attached to recycling the waste. Examples showcasing how other organizations and universities have implemented e-waste recycling into their sustainability strategies. Lastly, this report will provide an in-depth strategy in order to reduce e-waste here on campus.
Introduction
Background
The term “e-waste” is probably the most common and informal name given to electronics in the end of their life cycle. The term “e-waste” simply means electronic waste. These electronics can range from phones to televisions and even outdated fax machine. Most of these devices can range from small to large. In 2003, California became the first US state to enact a law the proper disposal of e-waste with the Electronic Waste Recycling act of 2003. Unfortunately, most citizens do not properly dispose of old electronics. This may be because lack of information on where to recycle these devices, as well as, the damages these devices can cause. Electronic waste includes discarded mobile phones, refrigerators, office appliances such as printers, television sets, and other entertainment devices. According to Planetgreenrecycle.com electronic waste is now responsible for 5% of municipal solid waste across the world.
Problem
The problem with electronic waste is that most e-waste is toxic to the environment. These toxins include Mercury, Lead, Beryllium, Brominated Flame Retardants, Cadmium as well as other toxic materials. These toxic materials that are found in these electronic wastes can cause harm to thousands of people. Most of the toxins listed about even in low exposure can cause kidney, brain damage, cancer, and even affect hormonal functions. According to a report by the International Telecommunications Union(ITU), “only about 20% of electronic waste is documented and collected to be properly recycled”. This means that most of the electronic waste in the world is being sent to landfills and disposed of. This means that more toxic materials are being released into the environment.
Purpose
We propose a solution for what has become a growing problem in the world: the lack of electronic waste recycling events on campus. We propose that CSUN add more electronic recycling bins here on campus to reduce the amount of electronic waste going into our landfills. In addition to these bins aiding students in the proper destruction of data can not only be beneficial to students but also encourage them to recycle their old devices properly. By increasing our efforts we can greatly reduce our e-waste footprint, making our campus more sustainable.
Scope
This report explores the problems of electronic waste and the need for proper recycling on campus by researching what CSUN is doing in order to reduce their footprint of electronic waste. Research from government, scholarly journals and other online sources such as news articles will also be used to be understand the problems.
Discussion
Life Cycle of Electronic Devices
Image 1: Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Retrieved from epa.gov
Most students on campus often have the latest and greatest technology, however most may not fully understand the life cycle of these devices. According the the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), the lifecycle of most electronic devices broken down into different stages as seen in figure 1. In the early stages of an electronic device you start off with raw materials such as precious metals and elements that are then used for manufacturing. Once manufacturing is completed the device can then be sold for use by the consumer. Now before we jump into the next stage of the life cycle it is important to note the life span for most devices.
According to Statista.com, a leading provider in market and consumer data, the average lifespan for electronic devices usually lowers depending on the size of the device. Devices such as flat screens and laptops can last anywhere from 11.8 years to 13.3 years. Now while this is a considerable length of time the devices that are often not recycled properly are the smaller devices such as computer mouses, keyboards, hard drives, etc. These devices lifespan lowers a considerable amount according the the survey done by Statista.com. This leads me to the next stage of the life cycle, collection. Most users often trade in things such as cell phones and other devices they can earn money back on which can be used in the next stage of life. However, things like hard drives and computer accessories such as mouses and keyboards are often thrown in the trash. Instead of being refurbished in the next stage of life for resell, they often end up in a landfill causing toxic materials to to enter the environment. They will not make it to the final stage which is proper recycling.
The life cycle for most smartphones and other small devices are often the ones with the shortest lifespans, due largely to the fact that a new version of that device is produced every year. While most big electronic companies do their part in order to reduce these devices from not being improperly recycled/handled. The biggest culprit is usually the consumer due largely to not being as educated on the problems of e-waste and how to properly recycle their devices.
Image 2: Source: Statista, Statistics Portal. (2015). Retrieved from statista.com
CSUN Sustainability Plan: E-Waste
Now that you understand the life cycle and the cost that comes along with proper e-waste recycling, we will look into what's being done about e-waste on campus. According to the CSUN sustainability website, students can bring in electronic devices to be properly recycled free of charge. All a student needs to do is bring their device to the sustainability center here on campus (device must be on the approved list of devices) and they’ll handle the proper recycling steps needed. When further researching CSUN’s current sustainability plan, they state, “Unwanted used electronic equipment is auctioned via a public surplus web site or donated to nonprofits or schools”. The fact that CSUN is doing their due diligence and properly disposing of items is very encouraging to our growth to being more sustainable.
The biggest downfall to this problem however is most students don’t know about these efforts. When discussing the issue with fellow students the biggest problem was that most students did not know CSUN offered free recycling of e-waste. When it comes to recycling in general most will refer to proper trash disposal and recycling of cans, bottles, etc.
The Cost of Proper Recycling
Image 3: Source: Cal Recycle. (2018). Retrieved from calrecycle.ca.gov
When purchasing electronics from a retailer you may not notice a fee that comes along with your purchase. Here in California the fees that are charge are based off the size of the device. As shown in figure 3 the prices for these items currently range from five to seven dollars. These fees are used to later help assist in the recycling cost that are associated with these electronics. In an article found on Penn State University by Corrie Struthers, she states that it costs “approximately $40 a pound to process a ton of trash and $360 a pound for electronic waste”. The fees that are associated with your purchase are greatly needed and often overlooked. However, unlike normal recycling here in California most you don’t get any money back for recycling e-waste. So what can be done to encourage students to recycle e-waste and not just toss them in the trash?
What are other Schools doing?
Recommendations
In order to advance the CSUN’s growing effort in the reduction of e-waste, I recommend following in the footsteps of UC Santa Cruz. By placing electronic waste recycling bins around campus we can future educate the student body in the importance of recycling these materials properly. The growing technology field has greatly shortened the lifespan of most electronics. Aiding students in proper data destruction can be a great way to encourage students to bring in their old flash drives and hard drives to be recycled. Most students and people of the community struggled with recycling these items properly due to the fear that their data would be recovered and stolen. By offering free data destruction students will be more encouraged to bring in their old electronics such as hard drives for proper recycling. In doing so it will greatly benefit the efforts already in place here on campus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, electronic waste is a growing hazard to society. Without proper recycling the problem will continue to grow. California State University, Northridge is already doing a great job at tackling this problem
References
Basic Information about Electronics Stewardship. (2018, October 16). Retrieved November 21, 2018, from https://www.epa.gov/smm-electronics/basic-information-about-electronics- stewardship#03
E-Waste Crisis. (2018). E-Waste Crisis. Retrieved November 09, 2018,
from https://planetgreenrecycle.com/fundraising/e-waste-problem
Electronic Waste Disposal. (2018, February 05). Retrieved November 20, 2018, from https://ehs.ucsc.edu/programs/waste-management/recycling-disposal/e-waste.html
Larmer, B. (2018, July 05). E-Waste Offers an Economic Opportunity as Well as Toxicity. Retrieved November 09, 2018, from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/magazine/ e-waste-offers-an-economic-opportunity-as-well-as-toxicity.html
Sustainability and Recycling Events. (2018, October 25). Retrieved November 12, 2018, from https://www.csun.edu/as/sustainability-and-recycling/events