Reducing the Computer Waste Stream in the United States AUTHORS S
CHAPTER 16 TITLE Old World Successes and New World Challenges: Reducing the Computer Waste Stream in the United States AUTHORS Shawn Apostel Kristi Apostel OVERVIEW This chapter considers the toxic waste stream of computers and computer components, and encourages us (i.e., technology-inclined academics) to consider even more carefully what sort of environmental impact we will be making as our projects and programs succeed. The current picture, incidentally, is both bleak and hopeful. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that from 2000 to 2007, upwards of 500 million personal computers will enter the municipal solid waste stream in America. This is a crisis not only because of the amount of computers for disposal, but also because of their toxic byproducts, including lead, mercury, and cadmium. This chapter looks at current techno-ecology patterns in the United States, identifying their potential and shortfalls, and, in order to find a solution to the challenges of the technology waste stream, compares them to similar activities in Europe, with a focus on Sweden, the most progressive nation on this issue. Unlike the top-down approach of the Europeans, North American consumers have formed grassroots organizations to confront the escalating computer waste stream crisis. We examine ideas and activities of American grassroots groups and suggest further approaches based on established European models to enrich technological sustainability in our institutions. TAGS Apple, authorization, BAN, Basel Action Network, Basel Convention, California, chemicals, chemicals, China, collection, Computers, consumers, corporate, Dell, developing, electronic, El-KretsenEU, European Union, evaluation, ewaste, e-waste, global, Gordon Moore, grassroots, hazardous, Kristi Apostel, Moore’s Law, Norway, producers, REACH, recycle, registration, Shawn Apostel, toxic, toxin, trash, United States, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, waste management, waste stream, WEEE AUTHOR Kristi Apostel is an online writing tutor for Smarthinking, Inc.
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