Making the best of the ‘e-waste’ problem

Posted: August 11, 2010

Literally tons of old computers and other electronic products and their components are being discarded each day throughout the world.

It’s raising global concerns about the proliferation of electronics waste, or “e-waste.”

The presence of e-waste in landfills, and the materials that can be released when junked electronics are recycled, can pose environmental hazards.

Pollutants, acids and other toxic substances can find their way into the air, water and soil.

The problem has been extensively studied by Eric Williams, an assistant professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, one of Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. He’s also on the faculty of ASU’s School of Sustainability.

In an article on the Discovery News website, he discusses what he views as economically, environmentally and socially viable ways to deal with the growing amounts of e-waste.

For more about the environmental and economic concerns involved in the e-waste proliferation issue, see this additional article on the Discovery News website.