Due to the blistering pace of technological innovation, the life span of a computer has been reduced from 5 years to 2-3 years.
More than 22 million computers are sold each year in the United States. Most of these become obsolete in little more than two years.
Obsolescence is a subjective term: many poorer nations have a voracious appetite for our cast-off technologies. By delegating older working systems for re-use, we are able to spare the energy required by recycling, making re-use the most efficient course of action, when it is applicable.
An estimated 300,000 tons of E-Waste went into landfills in the U.S. in 2000.
Most CRT displays contain between 4 and 8 pounds of lead. About 20 percent of CRT glass is made up of lead.
About 70 percent of the heavy metals (including mercury and cadmium) found in landfills come from electronic equipment discards. These heavy metals pose serious health risks once they leach into the soil and pollute groundwater.
The State of California Department of Toxic Substance Control has deemed it illegal to dispose of CRTs in landfills. (CRT Emergency Regulation)
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