E-Trash is a Growing Problem

Technology is changing rapidly and everyone has to have the newest device. Americans own about 25 electronic devices per household. But what happens to all of the old cellphones, TVs, computers and PDAs?  The answer: 90% of it winds up in a landfill. This fast-growing segment of waste is trouble because of all of the toxic materials contained in e-devices. The mercury, cadmium, and lead have a risk of leaking and reaching the groundwater.

Many states are considering bills to regulate the issue. The federal government is also looking at ways to address the problem. Potential solutions include involving the manufacturers of the products to help with recycling of the materials. The article is quite interesting and includes many more details.

Until better processes are established, the best thing that each consumer can do is try to find a way to recycle old electronic devices as much as possible.

Yahoo! News: "Saying ‘So Long’ to E-Waste"