The electronic waste in my apartment

I recently began cleaning out the clutter in my small apartment in Alexandria, Va., where I have lived for the past decade. Over this time, I accumulated a lot of junk: Old magazines, clothes, and spare parts for my car. One of the things that surprised me was the number of unused computers and other discarded electronic equipment — also known as electronic waste (e-waste) — I had collected. I counted at least three computers that I was no longer using, a couple of cell phones, and various other items. My apartment had become a potential environmental hazard!

I am inspired to blog about this topic because of an article I read recently in the American Chemical Society’s weekly PressPac. The article indicates that the developing world will produce double the e-waste of developed countries, like the United States, by 2016. The article, based on a study published in ACS’ journal Environmental Science & Technology, predicts that by 2030 developing countries will discard some 400 million – 700 million obsolete personal computers per year compared to 200 million – 300 million in developed countries. That’s bad news, considering that this e-waste contains potentially toxic substances. The study highlights the need to develop better ways of disposing of this waste.

I’m not anywhere close to accumulating that amount of e-waste. But I know that I need to do a lot more to help improve the planet. I pledge that when I get rid of all of my e-waste, I will do so in an environmentally-responsible manner. It won’t go to the trash bin. I will give my computers to someone else who can actually use them or send them to an e-waste collection program in my area. For more on this, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site. I’ll be happy knowing that I’m contributing to a cleaner environment….and uncluttering my apartment in the process.

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