Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the rapidly expanding volume of obsolete computers, printers, fax machines, TVs, and other electronic devices finding its way into the waste stream of the US and other countries.

According to various reports, electronics comprise approximately 1-4 percent of the municipal solid waste stream. In Utah, this translates to up to about 104,000 tons per year or 208 million pounds every year into Utah landfills.

E-waste is really a recent phenomenon. It is estimated that 130 million cell phones were discarded in the US in 2005. It is also estimated that 60-65 million PCs become obsolete every year in the US. Some estimates show e-waste making up as much as 3-5% of material in landfills and it is growing at a rate, 3 times faster than that of other waste. Another estimate shows between 315-680 million computers/TVs waiting in peoples garages and homes, waiting to be disposed of properly.

Did you know – the BBC recently reported the following:

1. teenagers get new a cell phone every 11 mos.
2. adults get a new cell phone every 18 mos.
3. average life of computer has fallen from 4-6 years in 1997 to 2 years in 2005

> See What Utah is Doing About E-waste

> Get More Information About Electronic Waste

> What Business and Local Government Need to Do About E-waste

How to host a community e-waste recycling event:
EPA Toolkit Website
EPA toolkit PDF

For more information on Electronics Recycling:

Guaranteed Recycilng Xperts (GRX)
www.grxrecycles.com
801-386-2533

Executive Recycling
www.executiverecycle.com
877-791-0808

TAMSolutions
www.tamsolutions.com
801-796-1696

Stone Castle Recycling
www.stonecastlerecycling.com
1-801-731-9444