I got this in my mailbox the other day, the industry research report:
US Wireless Online Inc.'s main subsidiary, Go Green Electronic Recycling, provides safe and complete disposal of electronics such as computers and cellular phones. Go Green does so in an environmentally sustainable way, adhering to a zero landfill policy. Go Green distributes items with residual value as refurbished products to diverse markets worldwide in need of technology and affordable communications solutions. The remaining end-of-life electronics are processed through a sustainable refining system for components used in new products. Electronic waste is growing each year in America. The majority of discarded electronics find their way into landfills. This is environmentally hazardous, and must stop. The electronic waste industry today is small, with few players, and the field is growing and there are considerable opportunities.
Electronic Waste in the United States
Americans own nearly 3 billion electronic products. Every day, new electronic products are added to the market, rendering older models obsolete. In 1998, the National Safety Council Study estimated about 20 million computers became obsolete in one year. By 2007 that number more than doubled. In 1992, the average lifespan of a PC was 4.5 years, but by 2005, it had decreased to 2 years. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that in 2005, 26 to 37 million computers became obsolete. Along with computers, TVs, VCRs, cell phones and monitors - an estimated 304 million electronics-were removed from US households in 2005. Approximately two-thirds of those were deemed to be in working order, according to Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates. At the end of their lives, electronics are often discarded into garbages and end up in landfills. Used electronics represent less than 2 percent of the municipal solid waste stream today and, at the current rate, the percentage of waste will definitely increase. What does 2 % percent look like? In 2007 the unwanted electronics amounted to 2.5 million tons. Between 2003 and 2005, approximately 15 to 20 % of discarded electronics were collected for recycling. However, 80 to 85 % was disposed of, largely to landfills. Of the 2.5 million tons of e-waste in 2007, 414,000 tons was collected for recycling and 1.84 milliontons were disposed of, primarily in landfills. Studies show that the management of e-waste has become a serious global issue and that electronics sitting in landfills release toxins and pollute our environment. Used electronics contain significant amounts of hazardous materials such as mercury, lead, cadmium and polychlorinated biphenyls. With a landfill capacity shortage and environmental concerns, diverted waste treatment methods are necessary.
The Industry
Electronic recycling is in its infancy but is growing at a fast pace in the United States. The International Association of Electronics Recyclers (IAER) estimated that in 2003 the U.S. electronics recycling industry consisted of just over 7000 employees. By 2005, the number of employees rose to 19,000. Further, in 2005, the annual revenue was US $1.5 billion, up from US $700 million in 2003. In 2005, there were over 500 operating electronics recycling operations in the United States. E-waste collection and recycling is primarily the undertaking of municipal governments, but special events demonstrate that higher percentages of programs are being operated by non-government entities. Thanks to companies like UWRL and Go Green Electronic Recycling who are leading the way, we can expect to see a reduction in garbage, and eco-friendly solutions to modern day pollutants in our future.
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
AI
