Electronic waste, otherwise known as E-Waste, is a category of surplus electronic goods that are no

longer wanted or useful, often considered to be “end-of-life” electronics (Bouvier 2011). Many
hazardous chemicals such as beryllium, cadmium or lead are found in E-Waste and cause various types
of cancers as well as kidney, liver, and brain damage in humans, along with other adverse ecological
impacts (Cobbing 2008). In fact, E-Waste is the most rapidly growing form of waste in the
Massachusetts – less than 20% of the total amount of electronic waste generated was recycled in 2008
(Greenpeace, 2008).
E-Waste may take one of several different fates when thrown away. When disposed of in the trash with
other forms of garbage, E-Waste may be incinerated, thrown in a landfill or exported to third world
countries. Once abroad, E-Waste is often improperly recycled by untrained workers, who do not have
the knowledge or resources to dispose of E-Waste safely (Puckett, 2005). Furthermore, large amounts
of the exported E-Waste is stockpiled, with no efforts to remove salvageable parts or find other useful
applications for the material (Schmidt 2002). Improper recycling or disposal creates risks to human
health and the environment. Despite all these concerns, recycling can be a safe and effective way of
disposing of E-Waste.
Collection, the first step to recycling, is defined as the act of gathering, sorting, and packaging E-Waste
for transportation and proper disposal. There are six types of collection most commonly used in the
United States and internationally, including (1) curbside pick-up by collection companies with trucks,
(2) donation to charitable organization such as the Salvation Army, (3) collection events hosted by
recyclers, governments or private companies, (4) drop off locations at companies such as Best Buy or
local municipal recycling facilities, (5) mail-in services through companies such as Apple Inc., or (6)
simple disposal in the common waste stream by throwing E-Waste in the garbage. Cost and
convenience are basic factors in any person’s willingness to participate in a recycling program. In states
that do not have a well-advertised, convenient E-Waste recycling program, consumers with the mind to
recycle must spend time and money to locate, pay for, and travel to electronic waste collectors before
passing their E-Waste off to be recycled.