Rhode Island
Electronics Take Back Campaign
Tidal Wave of Waste
Discarded computers and other electronics (e-waste) are the fastest growing portion of our waste stream. The National Safety Council estimates that there are 300 to 500 million obsolete computers in the US, ready for disposal. Hundreds of millions of televisions have also become obsolete. Rhode Islanders create 7,500 tons of electronic waste each year. On average, the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation's program recycles only 76 tons of that waste each year. That is less than 2% of Rhode Island's e-waste.
Toxic Trail of TVs and Computers
The typical computer monitor or TV contains four to five pounds of lead. They also contain mercury, cadmium, and other toxics, which can damage kidneys, nervous and reproductive systems, and cause developmental problems. Nationally, only 10% of e-waste is currently recycled. The other 90% of computers and TVs are often thrown in the trash.
Exported Waste Endangers Workers
This worker in Guiyu, China is about to smash a cathode ray tube from a computer monitor in order to remove the copper laden yoke at the end of the funnel. The glass is laden with lead, but the biggest hazard from this is the inhalation of the highly toxic phosphor dust coating inside. Monitor glass is later dumped in irrigation canals and along the river where it leaches into the ground water. The groundwater in Guiyu is so contaminated that drinking water must be trucked in.
Guiyu, China. December 2001. © Basel Action Network
Exporting Harm
Right now 80% of US electronic waste is sent to Asia or Africa to be dismantled cheaply in hazardous situations. Computer waste dumped in China is contaminating local villages, waterways, and damaging the health of villagers.
High Tech Chain Gangs
Electronic recycling operations are increasingly active within America's prison systems. Inmate laborers are not automatically afforded the same degree of worker health and safety protections as employees in regulated workplaces, nor are they paid comparable wages.
Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling Act was passed in 2006 in Rhode Island
This act put into place a consumer disposal ban effective in 2008, keeping computers and TVs out of our municipal waste stream. Now we need the General Assembly to require producers to be responsible for the safe recycling of electronics.
Rhode Island must now address the e-waste crisis to protect public health, the environment, and taxpayers by promoting clean design and environmentally superior management of discarded products.
Take It Back
Right now individual states and taxpayers are stuck with the bill for manufacturer's toxic leftovers. Placing the recycling responsibility on the producer puts the cost of recycling back at the source.
Make It Clean
Requiring manufacturers to recycle their products will encourage them to use less toxic materials and make their products easier to recycle.
Recycle Responsibly
The responsible recycling of electronics keeps toxins out of our waste stream and creates jobs and economic development in the United States.
Action Steps
- Recycle your e-Waste
Contact Rhode Island Resource Recovery (RIRRC) at 401-942-1430 x241 to properly dispose of your retired electronics.
To get more involved contact Clean Water Action Providence at 401-331-6972. Learn more about this issue.
