E-Waste

Every week, I teach over 650 elementary students various computer skills from the basics to coding. I am also covering the issue of electronic waste (e-waste) this year. And I wonder, how many of you out there are aware of the problem of e-waste?

Technology is growing at incredible rates. It seems that every couple of months, they've created a newer, faster, more aesthetically pleasing device that we cannot live without.

How many times do you upgrade your cell phone? Your laptop? Your tablet? Do you own every single piece of technology that you can afford?

Do you know what happens with the electronic devices that you grow tired of or that are no longer functional?

Here are the three videos that I am showing to my 3rd-5th grade students. K-2 are seeing shortened versions. Not one single student has shown a lack of interest. Or shock.

The videos aren't that long. However, if you do not want to take the time to watch or to research on your own, let me point out just a couple of important facts:

• Recycling centers that are not certified have no restrictions on how or where they recycle our e-waste. They tend to send it to developing countries where the environment is being destroyed as well as the health of many children and women.
• If you think you have erased your information from your computers, you are wrong. Organized crime can EASILY access ALL OF YOUR INFORMATION from your hard drive. TAKE YOUR HARD DRIVE OUT AND DESTROY IT. 
• It is VITAL that we EDUCATE OURSELVES to the issue of e-waste. 

Information from the EPA is located HERE
.
When you recycle your e-waste, there are two (that I know of) certifications that you should look for: R2 and e-Stewards.

Find an e-steward recycler near you HERE.
Find an R2 recycler near you HERE and HERE.
Search SERI (Sustainable Electronic Recycling International) HERE.

I hope your state is more concerned than mine- SC. I have contacted the two state representatives who sponsored legislation that concerns only manufacturers of electronics asking them about future legislation concerning recycling centers. That was over one month ago. I have yet to hear back from them.

Are you from SC, too? Go HERE.

The NCSL information is HERE and gives some good information about the states that do have laws of some sort regarding e-waste recycling.


Become an e-Stewards Envoy HERE.

PLEASE, educate yourselves about this most important issue.

This is Day 5 of the A-Z Challenge!