Beginning this month, you can no longer put that old TV or
computer out on the curb with the rest of your trash. Pennsylvania’s
Covered
Device Recycling Act goes into effect and requires the proper recycling of
all TVs and computer equipment, including items such as computer monitors,
central processing units, laptops, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice,
speakers and any other devices that connect to a computer.
According to the
U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 40 percent of lead and 70 percent of other
toxics found in landfills, including mercury and cadmium, are from electronics.
Even small amounts of these toxics can be dangerous if released into the air,
water and soil. These metals and associated materials can have both localized
and systemic adverse health effects, especially to children and other vulnerable
populations. Exposure prevention reduces the health burden.
Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves our
natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas
emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials. Electronic waste
recycling protects our health and environment by keeping these substances out
of our landfills and incinerators.