Environmental Issues and Management Strategies for Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment

• Published in: Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995) Vol. 61; no. 10; pp. 990 - 995
• Main Authors: Hidy, G. M., Alcorn, Walter, Clarke, Raoul, Smith, Douglas, Thomas, Valerie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pittsburgh, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.10.2011; Air & Waste Management Association; Air and Waste Management Association; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bans; Cellular telephones; Composition; Electronic equipment and supplies; Electronic waste; Electronics; Environmental aspects; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Environmental Pollution - legislation & jurisprudence; Exact sciences and technology; Fluorescent lighting; Groundwater; Hazardous Waste - analysis; Heavy metals; Industrial Waste - analysis; Landfill; Laws, regulations and rules; Lead content; Metals; Methods; Pollution; Recycling; Refuse and refuse disposal; Technological change; United States; Waste management; Waste Management - methods; United States; United States > US
• ISSN: 1096-2247; 2162-2906
• DOI: 10.1080/10473289.2011.615267

Professor Tim Townsend's critical review (CR) presented a comprehensive discussion of the hazards associated with disposal of used or waste electronics and electrical equipment (WEEE) and their management. The discussion is organized into three important topics: 1. the hazardous nature of the materials, 2. the regulatory framework in the US, and 3. the opportunities to improve the WEEE recovery and disposal process. This brief discussion provides a useful perspective to Prof. Townsend's 2011 critical review. WEEE management offers a number of opportunities for improvement in efficiency with enhanced materials recovery and improved environmental protection. Inhibiting fragmentation of regulations at the state level tend to suppress innovation in manufacturing and WEEE management with hidden costs passed on to the customer. Progress could be fostered by establishing an insightful national program for manufacturers, retailers, and customers to efficiently, and effectively reuse and dispose of WEEE.