There’s no denying that we live in a technological age where electronics have become the trendiest craze.  In the past decade, we’ve witnessed our television sets transform into the thinnest of flat screens.  We’ve thrown out our VCR’s for DVD players.  Cassette and CD players are now a thing of the past, having been replaced by mp3 players and the iPod.  In April 2007, Apple reported that over 100 million iPod’s have been sold.  Perhaps, the cell phone is the trendiest electronic device of them all, with an estimated two billion worldwide.  It seems we upgrade our phones every other year, throwing out over 100 million cell phones annually.

So, what happens to all our old electronics once we’ve replaced them with newer, shinier gizmos?  Well, approximately 85% of our electronic waste ends up in landfills.  Considering these devices consist of toxic materials (including lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, and polyvinyl chlorides), landfills most certainly do not suffice as proper disposal.  Exposure to these hazardous chemicals may effect in brain damage, kidney disease, mutations, and cancer.

Even when people opt to do the right thing and recycle their old electronics, their waste is often illegally dumped overseas due to unfortunate capital greed.  And, the effects are devastating.  Guiyu, China, is the largest electronic waste site in the world, and has the greatest levels of cancer-causing dioxins.  Scientists also found that seven out of ten children have elevated levels of lead in their blood, and pregnancies are six times more likely to end in miscarriage.

Electronic companies are recognizing the need to include a takeback recycling program for their products.  The Electronics TakeBack Coalition recently released a report card evaluating the recycling programs offered by TV companies.  Unfortunately, most companies received an F grade; Sony ranked the highest with a B-.  As environmental and morally conscious consumers, it is ever more important to remain cautious about where we bring our old electronic equipment to be recycled.  To find a responsible environmental recycler near you, click here.