Why you need to recycle your electronic products

50 tons of waste from discarded electronic equipment

  • Lead in cathode ray tube and solder
  • Arsenic in older cathode ray tubes
  • Selenium in circuit boards as power supply rectifier
  • Polybrominated flame retardants in plastic casings, cables and circuit boards
  • Antimony trioxide as flame retardant
  • Cadmium in circuit boards and semiconductors
  • Chromium in steel as corrosion protection
  • Cobalt in steel for structure and magnetivity
  • Mercury in switches and housing

Electronic devices such as computer monitors and TVs contain hazardous materials that need to be recycled to retrieve scarce materials and prevent toxic polution of the earth. Heavy metals such as lead can cause damage to living organisms at very low concentrations and tend to accumulate in the food chain. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are made with three to eight pounds of the heavy metal lead. Circuit boards also contain lead in addition to cadmium, mercury and other hazardous materials.

Over 164 nations, not including the United States, have ratified an international treaty called the Basel Convention which restricts the movement of hazardous wastes between countries to prevent the flow of toxic waste from rich to poorer countries. Even though the United States is not part of this treaty, no longer useful electronic products must be handled according to local, state, federal regulations and international trade laws prohibitive dumping of toxic waste in poorer countries.

For more information or a free estimate, contact us:
            blackwidow@zipcon.com
            (206)898-5403

Links to Recycle Sites

Take Back Logo
USA electronics recycling companies

Take Back Logo
List of Recyclers in Seattle area

BBC Logo
UN Warning on E-Waste 'Mountain'