Electronic Waste Recycling: Why It is so Important
Electronic waste, or simply E-waste as it is today referred to, is the huge waste generated through abandoned old and unused electronic devices like televisions, computers, laptops, monitors, and do on. Electronic waste was not a big problem only a decade ago but the manner in which numbers of such products has increased exponentially in the last few decades has raised alarm among the experts who are concerned about the deteriorating condition of our environment. The presence of dangerous chemicals and components inside these electronic devices means such electronic waste is very big hazard for the environment as well as human beings. These elements include cadmium, silicon, phosphorus, arsenic and plastic.
Electronic waste recycling is a highly specialized job undertaken by experts and you cannot hope to dispose the old computers, air conditioners, televisions etc. on your own. You cannot burn or beat to pulp your electronic products thinking you have got rid of the dangerous componentsinside them. It is better to hand over your electronic waste to experts who use advance technology to carry out waste recycling.
Electronic waste recycling is carried out in two steps namely sorting and treatment. During the initial stage of sorting, all components of electronic waste are separated and put into different categories according to their method of disposal. It is during the second step called treatment that individual components or parts such as cathode ray tube or the mother boards of computers are finally disposed of without causing any harm to the environment.
What happens to individual components of electronic waste after recycling?
- Plastic is melted and it is reused to make other attractive products
- Mercury is extracted and then used in making dental products
- Aluminium is melted and then used to make ingots
In the same manner, other components are separated and treated to be disposed safely.
