If you worry that your old computer, monitor or other electronic device may become part of an e-waste stream, you’re not alone. By one estimate, Americans are storing 65 million computers because they don’t know how to get rid of them.
Many people and businesses are doing what they hope is responsible by donating their old electronics to a recycling program. The federal Environmental Protection Agency estimates that recyclers collect more than 100 million pounds of material from electronics each year. That’s laudable, but there are risks in trying to do the right thing.
You may be putting your personal and financial information in jeopardy. There may be a fine second home for your unwanted e-gear. And you may be helping to dump electronic trash in the poorest parts of the world.
First, the risk to your data. Internet scoundrels work overtime creating fake websites and insidious e-mail attachments designed to mine passwords, account numbers and the like from your computer. Sending all that information out of your house without precautions is like inviting the crooks to housesit.
Don’t even think of letting your computer go anywhere without thoroughly overwriting or erasing the data on your hard drive. There are programs that overwrite numerous times. If you use magnetic wiping, do it several times.
Once the hard drive is protected, think about a reuse for that computer. A local school, nonprofit or other worthy organization might jump at the chance to have an extra computer. You’ll be helping a good cause and saving some resources, too.
Other electronics can be recycled, notably cell phones. These items are in great demand by social service groups, especially shelters. To an abused spouse, a phone that’s not controlled by the abuser could be the gift of life.
Maine law makes recycling of old electronics a shared responsibility among manufacturers, municipalities, individuals and businesses. The state Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management’s website has all kinds of information on recycling e-waste (www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/ewaste/).
EPA also has lots of information on recycling electronics safely. Visit www.epa.gov/plugin to learn more.
Some businesses claiming to be recyclers are merely exporters. They are paid in many overseas markets for items such as TV sets, which are stripped of reusable materials by low-wage workers. A responsible operator would pay for proper recycling.
It’s tough to spot fake recyclers who talk a good game (critics call it “greenwashing”). If the cost isn’t being picked up by a producer or by the state, town or other sponsoring organization, beware of “free” electronics drop-off days. They may be organized by exporters, not recyclers.
In August 2008, the Government Accountability Office called on EPA to take a tougher stand on exports of e-waste. EPA responded last year with new standards on recycling (R2), which critics were quick to charge were full of loopholes; they especially pointed to continued overseas shipments of hazardous e-waste.
Earlier this month, the Basel Action Network announced a competing certification program, e-Stewards, which it says has more teeth than R2. The group, which claims it was first to document the dumping of electronic junk in China and Africa, says the certification effort is the first to be blessed by both companies and environ-mentalists.
A knowledgeable source in Maine says most states are taking a hard look at R2 and e-Stewards before deciding to adopt one or the other. For the benefit of all consumers, we hope those reviews lead to adoption of one set of certification standards that will keep all parties and places “green.”
Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded, nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for more information, write: Consumer Forum, P.O. Box 486, Brewer 04412, or go to www.necontact.wordpress.com.