Electrical Equipment Disposal

Discover landfills, transfer stations, handlers, and service locations that accept Electrical Equipment.

Rapid economic growth, coupled with urbanization and growing demand for consumer goods, has increased both the consumption of electrical and electronic equipment and the production of waste electric and electronic equipment, which can be a source of hazardous wastes that pose a risk to the environment and to sustainable economic growth.

Electronic waste or e-waste may be defined as:

• discarded computers
• office electronic equipment
• entertainment device electronics
• mobile phones
• television sets
• refrigerators

This includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal as well as re-usables (working and repairable electronics) and secondary scraps (copper, steel, plastic, etc.). The term "waste" is reserved 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.

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 e-waste in developing countries can lead to adverse human health effects and environmental pollution.

Electronic scrap components, such as CPUs, contain potentially harmful components such as:

• lead
• cadmium
• beryllium
• brominated flame retardants

Because of the various materials used in electronic equipment, it is important to work with a waste disposal company that states "electronic waste" or "e-waste" as an accepted waste type.