E-waste: Do you know where your old cell phone is?
Your obsolete or broken computer, cell phone and other electronic products have a name: e-waste. Most people just toss out these things without thinking about where they wind up. Much of our electronic waste is shipped to developing countries, where improper disposal methods have created environmental hazards. In addition to their valuable metal content, a lot of electronic components also have contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, mercury and brominate flame retardants. When old laptops, televisions and cell phones are broken apart to retrieve the precious metals inside, these contaminants can harm the health of workers if they aren’t using proper equipment and protective gear.
As part of Shedd’s ongoing attention to reducing its environmental impacts, its IT department has been working alongside Intercon Solutions to properly recycle the aquarium’s old and unused electronics such as computers, cell phones, computer disks and batteries. We selected Intercon because of its commitment to the proper disposal of electronic equipment. Intercon’s processing facilities are located in the continental United States, providing for better waste management.
Intercon recycles a large amount of consumer and corporate electronic scrap and equipment, including typewriters, telephones, telephone switches, audiovisual equipment and cable television products or byproducts. While technicians carefully disassemble computer electronics, they come across a wide variety of miscellaneous scrap metals. These valuable metals include aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, high-temperature alloys and many others that can be retrieved and recycled into new products. Intercon and Shedd are working together to reduce the global impacts of e-waste; when we recognize a growing problem, we want to be part of the solution.
Posted by LaParrish Smith, conservation assistant
Comments