The world is awash in electronic waste and faces an even greater tidal wave of such obsolete equipment when the federal government’s new rules mandating high-definition television (HDTV) broadcasting are implemented in 2009, an electronics recycling executive said.
“With all the new technology that keeps making our existing devices obsolete, we are in the midst of an ongoing tsunami of electronic waste,” said John S. Shegerian, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Electronic Recyclers Inc., Fresno, Calif.
Shegerian spoke to students and members of Earth Matters, New York University’s environmental outreach club, outlining the importance of recycling unwanted electronics.
Addressing the environmentally concerned university students, Shegerian spoke of the mounting global environmental problems caused by the glut of e-waste and explained the long-range international potential of electronic recycling as a method of helping to alleviate the problem.
“(With) the federally mandated date (Feb. 17, 2009) for full conversion to HDTV looming, we can only expect the accumulation of unwanted old electronics to go through the roof,” he said.
Properly disposing of electronic waste and the hazardous materials contained in such equipment represents a great challenge for everyone, Shegerian said. “While there is much to be done today, our eyes must also look toward future generations for a commitment to keeping our planet healthy.”
The California company recycles electronic items ranging from computer monitors and televisions to cell phones and computers. With the recent addition of its Massachusetts facility, Electronic Recyclers is now capable of processing in excess of 100 million pounds of electronic waste annually.