As the demands of the technological age require the abundant creation and use (often short-lived) of more and more technologic devices, electronic waste has come to constitute an enormous, dangerous, and growing problem in Colorado. It is a problem with ready solutions, however, and a proposed landfill ban offers a perfect opportunity for Colorado to safely and responsibly address its e-waste while creating much needed jobs in the electronic waste industry.

E-waste – the Problem

}  Colorado homes and businesses generate between 40,000 to 161,000 tons of electronic waste each year.  Currently, about 8,000 tons is recycled per year.

}  Electronic devices contain large amounts of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury, as well as other contaminants, meaning a staggering amount of toxins are currently entering our landfills each year, threatening Colorado’s air, water and land.

}  In fact, despite only amounting to two percent of our trash by volume, discarded electronics account for a shockingly disproportionate 70 percent of the heavy metals in our landfills.

A Landfill Ban – the Solution

}  A landfill ban would increase the amount of electronic waste that is recycled in the state.  Colorado currently recycles 0.9 lbs/person/year of residential electronic waste.  Seventeen other states with landfill bans recycle about 5 lbs/person/year.

}  Banning electronic waste such as televisions, laptops, copiers and fax machines from Colorado’s landfills would decrease the amount of toxic metals entering our land, air and water.

}  A ban would also return valuable metals found in electronics such as copper and aluminum back into manufacturing, strengthening our local economy and stimulates the development of green technologies and products that are easier to reuse..

}  A ban will drive more electronic waste material into recycling so recycling businesses will have to expand, hire more employees and provide greater service and access to recycling to Colorado residents.

}  More e-waste recycling would create jobs here in Colorado.  For every 10,000 tons of electronic waste recycled, at least 130 jobs are created with the possibility of twice that many.   A ban has the potential to create 2500 jobs here in Colorado.

It’s time for Colorado to proactively deal with its electronic waste – and recycling is the answer!

For more information contact: Randy Moorman, CEC, 303-405-6706, randy@ourcolorado.org