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Technological Waste: Whose Problem Is It?

Technological Waste: Whose Problem Is It?. By Adam Alalouf & Pauline Johnson. Earth Day April 22, 2008. The Problem of e-Waste. As technology advances, equipment becomes obsolete (for instance, new HDTV standards) Contains many toxic elements, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and barium

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Technological Waste: Whose Problem Is It?

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  1. Technological Waste:Whose Problem Is It? By Adam Alalouf & Pauline Johnson Earth Day April 22, 2008

  2. The Problem of e-Waste • As technology advances, equipment becomes obsolete (for instance, new HDTV standards) • Contains many toxic elements, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and barium • Often ends up in land fills • Frequently dumped onto developing countries with lenient regulations • The costs of product retirement are largely ignored Alalouf/Johnson | Earth Day 2008

  3. Necessary Steps Towards a Solution • Producers & distributers need to see their products throughout their life cycle • Offer recycling incentives to consumers • Include recycling in their production function • Foster EPA compliant “product stewardship” • Government plays a big role • Federal Resource Conservation Challenge • Plug in to eCycling Campaign • Recycling quotas (i.e., some percentage of output) • Everyone needs to raise awareness and chip in Alalouf/Johnson | Earth Day 2008

  4. Industry Participation Rate Currently, two thirds of business firms have no plans for a green IT initiative. Source: Stan Gibson, eWeek. “How Green Is Your IT Valley?” 2008. (9). Alalouf/Johnson | Earth Day 2008

  5. Recycling Electronics Is Neither Cheap Nor Easy! Parts have to be disassembled by hand before they can be further processed. Before being sent through the shredder, computer and electronics parts have to be separated by hand. Here, motherboards await destruction. Alalouf/Johnson | Earth Day 2008

  6. Resource Flow: Where do the raw materials go? Not surprisingly, once broken down into their raw form, many of the components end up back in the production of electronics and computers; but some go to other industries, such as construction and automotives. Alalouf/Johnson | Earth Day 2008

  7. Recycling Firms: Intercon Solutions • Data destruction is the primary business driver • Provides insurance to the client • Erases all data from memory devices • Protects client from liability • Commitment to do the right thing: • No land filling • No off shoring • No reselling of parts (as with ‘free’ recycling firms) • BBB accredited and NAID member Alalouf/Johnson | Earth Day 2008

  8. Recycling Firms: TBS Industries • Philadelphia based firm specializing in: • Data Destruction • Asset Recovery • Dismantling • Customized solutions to fit client needs • EPA, HIPAA, FACTA, and GLBA compliant Alalouf/Johnson | Earth Day 2008

  9. 5 Steps to Green IT: Source: Tiffany Maleshefski, eWeek: The Green Issue. 2007. (8). Alalouf/Johnson | Earth Day 2008

  10. For More Information: • United States Environmental Protection Agency • Federal Electronics Challenge • 10 Tips for Donating a Computer • Intercon Solutions • TBS Industries Alalouf/Johnson | Earth Day 2008

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