Purchasing green electronics has never been easier, thanks to the Electronics Purchasing Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), EPEAT is a system to help purchasers evaluate, compare, and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes.

Green computing is easier than ever, thanks to the many tools available to help keep computers running efficiently. These tools can be used individually of on a network. Energy efficient features could save you up to $75 per machine per year.

Many computers still have use left in them after the first owner is ready to retire them. Learn how you can safely and securely donate your computer and get information on the best way to recycle computers in your area if donation is not an option.

Disposal of computers is likely regulated in your State. Some types of electronic waste may be hazardous and improper disposal may violate local or state laws. For information about disposal regulations in your state, contact your local solid waste agency or state environmental protection office.

What is e-waste?

Electronic waste, or e-waste, includes products such as computers, keyboards, monitors, printers, televisions, cell phones, data storage devices, and VCR/DVD players- just about anything with a circuit board or power cord. Even though e-waste currently comprises less than 4% of the total solid waste stream in the United States, it’s been estimated that the volume of e-waste is increasing 2 to 3 times faster than other waste streams (e.g. paper or yard waste). For example, 490 million personal computers were retired between 2000 and 2005, and the number is expected to increase to 955 million between 2005 and 2010. The recycling rate of electronic products, on the other hand, was only about 10% in 2003. Thus there is a rising amount of e-waste with only a tenth of it being managed in a way that helps to prevent pollution and promote resource conservation.



How can ecyclingtools.com help my business?

Extending the life of your electronics or donating equipment can save you money and conserve valuable resources. Properly recycling outdated electronics assures safe management of the hazardous components that are in many devices and permits the recovery and reuse of valuable materials to reduce the need for the extraction of new raw materials from the earth.

The familiar mantra of "reduce, reuse, and recycle," as is often seen with the three chasing arrows symbol, is the ideal path for the life of many business and consumer goods, including electronics. Reducing the total quantity of equipment we buy, with a particular focus on reducing our purchase of products containing hazardous materials, is the first step toward decreasing our environmental footprint. Reusing is the second and recycling is the last alternative. This resource kit provides information on the entire lifecycle of electronics and contains useful information to help you address your e-waste concerns.