Electronics

Our "plugged-in" world relies on an ever-growing and constantly changing supply of electronic products. Electronic equipment currently represents only 1 to 2 percent of the country's waste stream, but it is quickly growing. The rapid introduction of new electronic products shows no sign of abating, as better, smaller, and cheaper products replace "older" models. Electronic products also can contain a variety of toxic constituents. Cathode ray tubes, circuit boards, batteries, and other electronic components often contain hazardous constituents such as lead, mercury, and cadmium.

This growing, changing product stream presents new challenges and responsibilities in designing and managing electronic products to reduce their life-cycle environmental impacts. By applying the principles of product stewardship, electronic equipment can be made with fewer toxic constituents and designed with upgradability, durability, and recyclability in mind, making these product systems more sustainable.