Aubrey Arain attaches an air sampling pump to an e-scrap worker to measure contaminants in the air he breathes.
Researchers from the University of Michigan are studying and finding ways to mitigate health risks from informal electronics recycling practices in Chile and Thailand.
With two weeks until the 2018 E-Scrap Conference, we’re featuring another expert who will share insight on-stage in New Orleans.
Even if consumers say smartphone repairability is important to them, brand popularity may be a more important factor in prolonging a device’s life, a study concluded.
Yale University researchers estimate 3.5 million metric tons of electronics ended up in U.S. landfills in 2015, significantly higher than government estimates.
A comprehensive report prepared for the Closed Loop Foundation digs deep into the current recycling landscape for e-scrap and electrical appliances. It also notes the industry needs to equip itself to handle a shifting material stream.
A recent data security study shows a quarter of U.S. data breaches are caused by human error. Breaches are also increasing in frequency and costing companies more to manage.
Global e-scrap flows have helped China dominate lithium-ion battery recycling but have hampered similar efforts in North America, according to a recently published report.
The national recycling rate for consumer electronics has fallen 2 percentage points, according to U.S. EPA estimates.
This story has been updated.
Bathroom doors, a water cooler handle, a refrigerator – their surfaces carried lead, cadmium and other hazardous metals, according to studies at two e-scrap facilities.
Projects advancing e-scrap recovery will receive funding through a federal initiative to support U.S. manufacturing and energy efficiency.