Why should we be concerned?

    Rapid advances in technology and an expanding demand for new features accelerate the generation of electronic waste. Every year in Nevada hundreds of thousands of computers, monitors, copiers, fax machines, printers, televisions, and other electronic items become obsolete and if not reused or recycled end up in our landfills.

    E-waste discovered behind an industrial building The concern is that certain components of electronic products contain hazardous materials. While circuit boards, batteries and switches may contain heavy metals, the significant component in the e-waste stream that typically is a hazardous waste is the cathode ray tube (CRT), the "picture tube" found in most TVs and computer monitors. CRTs contain significant quantities of lead, a heavy metal that could be released to the environment when the CRTs are crushed.

    Electronic components and materials are resources that can be re-used or recycled. In order to conserve natural resources and the energy needed to produce new electronic equipment from virgin resources, electronic equipment should be refurbished, reused and recycled whenever possible.

    In November 2005 the United States Government Accountability Office produced a report, at the request of Congress, on the issue of electronic waste.

    Read / Download GAO Report:
    GAO-06-47 United States Government Accountability Office - ELECTRONIC WASTE Strengthening the Role of the Federal Government in Encouraging Recycling and Reuse (Adobe PDF File - 62 Pages 1.2MB)

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