During the summer of 2010, I worked as a Technology and Information Systems Intern for DePauw. My job was to tear down, fix and re-build broken computers, among other techie chores. Whenever I didn't know how to fix something, my supervisor told me to go to ifixit.com. I soon discovered the purpose of the site: instead of throwing away a broken computer, keep it out of a landfill for as long as possible by learning how to fix it yourself. The logic behind i-fixit is very simple: repair is recycling! I also have learned that electronic waste has been, and still is, the fastest growing category of solid municipal waste.
According to the United Nations Environmental Program, an estimated 20-50 million metric tons of hazardous e-waste is disposed of worldwide with only as little as 13.6 percent on average being recycled. The rest is either dumped in a landfill, stockpiled or exported to developing countries where it is incinerated, sometimes by children as young as 6 years old, in order to extract valuable minerals embedded in the circuit boards. The improper disposal of waste electronic equipment poses both environmental and public health problems because e-waste contains many toxic substances such as lead, mercury, polyvinyl-chloride (P.V.C) and brominated flame-retardants. When disposed in landfills, the acidic conditions promote the leaking of the hazardous chemicals into the environment. In America alone, 40 percent of lead and 70 percent of the heavy toxic metals found in landfills comes from e-waste, according to a study by the Environmental Protection Agency. These chemicals contain poisonous and radioactive toxins that cause cancers and damage to brain, kidney and reproductive systems in both animals and human beings.
I was familiar with DePauw University's recycling initiatives. I found it very easy to recycle my paper and plastic, but I had no idea what to do with my electronics devices that had reached their end of life. I knew tossing them into the trash bin was not the right thing to do. Leaving it for city trash pickup is prohibited by Indiana state law, but I didn't want to allow the waste electronics equipment to enter a landfill. What was I to do?
Fast-forward to Sept. 8, 2012. DePauw University, West Central Solid Waste District, Dixie Chopper and Crown Equipment have now put together an e-waste recycling drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On this day DePauw students and Putnam County residents will be able to safely dispose their unwanted stockpile of old electronic devices at two conveniently located drop sites: DePauw University's Service Center, located on 300 West Hill St. and the Greencastle Wal-Mart, located on 1750 Indianapolis Rd.
Lafayette's Oscar Winski eRecycling Company will recycle all equipment collected on this day. Oscar Winski is the only R2 Certified e-waste recycling company in Indiana. This gold standard ensures complete data destruction from any electronic storage device to alleviate common anxieties that often hold people back from discarding their outdated computers, cell phones and other devices. You can trust that your waste electronics equipment will be managed at an internationally recognized standard.
E-waste recycling helps to reduce the amount of toxic waste polluting the environment and makes precious metals such as tin, copper, zinc and gold available for the manufacture of future products. Wasting this when we could turn much of it into resources is a missed opportunity.
For volunteer opportunities during the e-waste recycling drive, contact Professor Jennifer Everett, jennifereverett@depauw.edu
- Henry Dambanemuya is a senior from Nyanga, Zimbabwe, majoring in computer science and conflict studies, and an intern at the Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics.