| Thoughtless disposal of computer hardware | | | | and obsolete computer components as hazardous |
| contaminate our entire ecosystem. The hazardous | | | | waste. For example, RCRA instructs the recyclers |
| materials such as lead, metals, cadmium and | | | | to consider shredded circuit board waste to be |
| mercury found in different computer components | | | | extremely hazardous, and also that it should be |
| have severe impact on environment and the | | | | kept it in tight containers. RCRA warns against |
| consequences could be far detrimental. Over 30 | | | | leaving it in open since it'll cause tremendous |
| percent of Monitor's weight consists of dangerous | | | | damage to environment. |
| lead materials. Depending upon the size of the | | | | Implementation of waste disposal law also |
| monitor, it could be up to four to eight pounds of | | | | depends on the quantity of hazardous waste that |
| lead. Considering upon the damaging factors, The | | | | an organization creates. The Resource |
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has felt | | | | Conservation and Recovery Act has declared |
| the necessity of making the computer disposal | | | | certain exemptions on recycle companies. For |
| law quite intricate. | | | | example, the waste out of recycling will not be |
| Recycling Laws | | | | considered as waste. The same is applicable on |
| As of 2010, EPA has not specifically set up any | | | | individual users. |
| parameter for computer recycling; but many | | | | EPA Enforcement |
| countries such as the United States of America, | | | | Considering over the seriousness of the situation, |
| Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, | | | | there are three kinds of penalties, known as CRT |
| Japan etc. have shown their concern for recycling | | | | guidelines that have been set by EPA. These are: |
| old and obsolete computers. The Environmental | | | | 'Cost saving' that accounts for avoiding the law, |
| Protection Agency spreads awareness about | | | | 'Gravity component' that accounts for the |
| comprehensive range of hazardous chemicals that | | | | damages caused by the person, the group of |
| computer equipments and other electronic items | | | | people or the company, and 'adjustment factor' |
| contain, and their dangerous consequences on | | | | that accounts for the violator's environmental |
| environment as well as on human health. | | | | history and the level on which the violator is |
| Moreover, EPA has published some significant | | | | cooperating with the investigation agencies. |
| guidelines such as if CRT monitors are less than a | | | | According to Government Accountability Office |
| year old and still is in working condition then they | | | | (GAO), CRT guidelines are not strict and effective |
| can't be treated as hazardous waste; rather, they | | | | enough to curb the increasing hazardous waste. |
| should be made reusable after bringing specific | | | | GAO reports that EPA had done little to |
| changes. EPA urges the manufacturing companies | | | | determine the degree of noncompliance. |
| to ask their customers to exchange their old | | | | Moreover, the penalties are usually small amounts |
| monitors if they are purchasing new ones. Such | | | | and the companies involved are reluctant to abide |
| strategies will definitely help reduce the rate of | | | | by the EPA guidelines. |
| pollution. | | | | It is the responsibility of EPA, CRT and all citizens |
| Dangerous Waste Disposal Laws | | | | to save the global environment and future |
| The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act | | | | generation. |
| (RCRA) implements the strategies to deal with old | | | | |