Eliminating e-Waste: Recycling through Reverse Production

During the past decade, computers and new technology have revolutionized information processing.But there is a downside to what is traditionally seen as a clean industry. As our computers grow fasterand more capable, we set the old ones aside for the newest model. The resulting electronic waste, or“e-waste” does not disappear so easily. In fact, it is the most rapidly growing waste problem in theworld. The overwhelming quantity of e-waste is one issue, but the other critical concern is the numberof toxic ingredients that are being released into our environment. Lead, beryllium, mercury, cadmium,and brominated-flame retardants pose both occupational and environmental health threats.