Electronic waste

Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling or disposal are also considered e-waste. Informal processing of electronic waste in developing countries may cause serious health and pollution problems, as these countries have limited regulatory oversight of e-waste processing.

Electronic scrap components, such as CPUs, may contain contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, or brominated flame retardants. Even in developed countries recycling and disposal of e-waste may involve significant risk to workers and communities and great care must be taken to avoid unsafe exposure in recycling operations and leaking of materials such as heavy metals from landfills and incinerator ashes.

Definition

"Electronic waste" may be defined as discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets, and refrigerators. This includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal. Others are re-usables (working and repairable electronics) and secondary scrap (copper, steel, plastic, etc.) to be "commodities", and reserve the term "waste" for residue or material which is dumped by the buyer rather than recycled, including residue from reuse and recycling operations. Because loads of surplus electronics are frequently commingled (good, recyclable, and non-recyclable), several public policy advocates apply the term "e-waste" broadly to all surplus electronics. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are considered one of the hardest types to recycle.

Latest News for: Electronics recycling seattle

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ECER, Inc. Reinforces Commitment to Responsible Electronics Recycling

Scrap Monster 14 Mar 2025
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster). ECER, Inc., a leading provider of electronics recycling solutions, is proud to reaffirm its commitment to responsible and sustainable e-waste management ... “We are committed to making electronics recycling convenient and accessible while upholding the highest environmental and ethical standards.”....
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Global Electronic Waste Recycling Market to Exceed $94 Billion by 2032

Scrap Monster 10 Mar 2025
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster). The global electronic waste recycling market has experienced significant growth in recent years and is expected to witness rapid expansion over the forthcoming decade ... investment in sustainable electronics recycling practices....

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