Getting Rid Of Electronic Waste

In fact, in 2003, imports of information and communications technology merchandise totaled $90.0 million. Today Bermuda has 100% landline and mobile coverage. Each household in Bermuda had at least two colour television sets in 2004. Further, 67% of households have a computer of some kind and 57% of Bermuda’s households have internet access.

But what happens to all these products when we’re done with them? When the TV screen resembles a scene out of Poltergeist, the computer sputters out, or our cell phone gets drooled on by a delighted toddler?

If incinerated, this electronic waste (or e-waste) releases heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury into the air. Mercury released into the atmosphere can bio-accumulate in the food chain, particularly in fish, the major route of exposure for the general public. If the products contain PVC plastic, highly toxic dioxins and furans are also released. Not very reassuring stuff.

Thankfully, the Ministry of Works and Engineering have found a solution to manage our increasing e-waste. Tomorrow, from 9am to 5pm, the public is invited to drop off all e-waste at the new recycling centre on Quarry Road in Hamilton Parish. Any circuit board-containing equipment and anything with batteries or a power cord should be dropped off.

That includes: household air conditioners, monitors, televisions, small appliances, computer processing units, keyboards, telephones, cell phones, printers, copiers, typewriters, laptops, Mp3 players, fax machines, stereo equipment and radios, and satellite receivers. That does not include major appliances such as your fridge or stove.

Upon drop-off at the new recycling centre, the Ministry of Works and Engineering will pack the e-waste for shipping to a state-of-the-art e-waste recycling centre in Philadelphia. There, products will be shredded in a closed environment, with heap filters and air vacuums hermetically sealing the area so that glass so that the precious metals and plastics can be safely withdrawn for recycling.

Why are we sending it to Philly? Officials from the Ministry of Works and Engineering have personally toured and audited this registered e-waste centre. It meets standards set out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) as well as those set by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

This is an important note when considering where e-waste goes if the recycling centre is not properly checked out. Many countries around the world still export their e-waste to scrapping yards in Asia, where hazardous material is handled in unsafe conditions by unqualified workers, including children, looking to extract the materials by hand. It is a deplorable situation for both human and environmental health.

Clearly, the best thing to do is to reduce the amount of electronic items that you use and dispose of, not only by thinking before you buy the latest gadget but also by reusing and selling equipment before throwing it away. But if it must be thrown away, be a responsible consumer and bring it to Bermuda’s new recycling centre for proper disposal.

For more information on Bermuda’s new e-waste recycling programme, contact Stephen Gilbert, Waste Management Section, Ministry of Works and Engineering at tel. 747-3024.