When junior Derrick Colvin got his first iPod, his portable CD player suddenly had no home; it had become obsolete. Because Colvin had no more use for it, he did what most students would have done: he threw it away.
"I didn't know there was really any alternative to just throwing it away," Colvin, an exercise science major, said.
The alternative that Colvin did not know about was the ability to recycle that CD player. While recycling is an obvious alternative to throwing away all types of waste, one form of waste that is commonly disposed of in a wrong fashion is electronic waste, or "e-waste."
E-waste is defined as discarded, surplus, obsolete, or broken electrical devices. This can be anything from an old computer monitor to a printer to the aforementioned CD player.
Amy Gregg, associate professor for the department of natural resources and environmental management, said this kind of waste can be disastrous to the environment, as well as people.
"The heavy metals in computers, as well as the circuit boards and other materials in electronics really are not good for landfills," Gregg said. The metals in these items, such as nickel and lead, can be hazardous and eventually dangerous for people in the area.
In an age where cellular phones are sometimes switched out faster than a pair of shoes, this e-waste can really add up.
"Electronic waste is generated so quickly, it seems as soon as we buy an electronic device it is outdated," Gregg said.
Gregg also said that some computer companies are starting to take back old computers so that they can be properly disposed of or reused.
"Some of the materials in electronic waste are considered technical nutrients, and they need to be circulated back into the manufacturing process for new products," Gregg said.
When these devices become outdated, most people, like Colvin, simply turn to the trash can to get rid of them instead of shipping them back to their birthplace. While this is an easy solution to the problem, in the long run it will eventually harm the environment. Places such as the East Central Recycling are offering another option for people who need to dispose of items that aren't rich in technical nutrients.
Located at 701 E. Centennial Ave., the East Central Recycling is open six days a week and offers anyone with e-waste a place to dispose of it. Manager Jason King there are a good number of people in the area who are already recycling their old electronic devices.
"We started recycling e-waste in 2000, and since then we've had quite a bit of the waste come through at a consistent rate," King said.
With these resources available, simply throwing away old electronics is a thing of the past, and with multiple ways to recycle these items it is easier than ever.
"If someone would have persuaded me and showed me the different options I have in terms of getting rid of my electronics, I probably wouldn't have thrown the CD player away," Colvin said, and his iPod will be recycled when it inevitably becomes outdated.