The Issue
Obsolete televisions, computers, and phones become electronic garbage, also known as electronic waste (E-waste). E-waste is the fastest-growing component of municipal waste streams – 130,000 computers are thrown out every day in the United States alone!
These items, however, contain hazardous toxic chemicals. Computers, for example, contain lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, and polyvinyl chlorides – all of these materials have known effects on human health that range from brain and kidney damage to cancer.
