There are many different aspects to consider with perusing a balance between the desire for electronics and the pursuit of a healthy environment and economy. The need and longing to purchase electronics can be seen by some as important enough to outweigh the problems that transpire, while conversely maintaining the environment may be seen as more valuable. Individuals may consider the ethical concerns surrounding mining for precious metals or e-cyclying versus reasons people want electronics; work, school, hobbies or entertainment. These types of uses for electronics also create a need for new and improved electronics, which requires an increase in precious metals coming from mining or e-recycling which demands consideration for both issues. Ethical concerns arise when considering manufacturing and disposal of electronics due to varying work conditions of those who build or recycle them. Furthermore, these rare metals and electronics are valuable, creating a market and economic climate to be measured against the previous issues. Stability within the economy in conjunction with environment and ethical concerns for workers drives an examination of sustainable practices and policies.
The people who live in and around Guiyu, China experience the complications of recycling e-waste first hand. Many people come from different parts of China in order to find work as an e-cycler. It is illegal to export e-waste from first world countries to poverty stricken countries and yet it is a common occurrence. Many of these poor countries focus less on e-recycling as an environmentally friendly behavior and more on e-recycling as a form income, by extracting precious metals and melting down plastic for resale. Many of the workers in Guiyu expressed mixed feelings about the process of stripping these electronics for resale. While they are well aware it is hazardous to their health and the environment, they also take into consideration the valuable source of revenue.[1] This widespread contamination of the environment in China and other countries and their inhabitants should make citizens worldwide apprehensive. Ethical, environment, and economical issues should be important to the leading contributor, the benefactors, or those who are most harmed in this situation.
The United Nations partnered with a watchdog group called Basel Action Network  in order to make the transport of e-waste from first world countries to poor countries illegal and fight the continuing illegal importation. They formed an e-waste reduction program called “Solving the E-Waste Problem,” or StEP. Compiled of five task forces; Policy, ReDesign, ReUse, Recycle, Capacity Building the group attempts to address multiple layers regarding e-waste. Made up of various task-forces, goals such as studying procedures surrounding e-waste, promoting consideration towards the full life-cycle of an electronic before manufacturing are of main concern. They also consider how to prolong use of already purchased electronics by consumers, for example promoting upgrades instead of replacements, therefore, taking into consideration every part of the equation.[2]

Klaus Hieronymi, 3rd from left, at recycling conference

The StEP initiative was co-founded by Klaus Hieronymi- a sustainability advocate, author of e-waste management books, and the chairman of Hewlett Packard’s environmental board. Since he is working with HP it is assumed he is invested in manufacturing electronics, but his behaviors communicate he is also aware of criticisms HP has experienced, as well as a desire to promote proper e-waste management.[3] His work provides an example of what can be perceived as balance between the manufacturers of electronics and those who wish to protect the environment and the people affected by e-waste. Promoting the reduction of e-waste and proper e-cycling practices are actions anyone at any level can take. While mining for precious metals, manufacturing and selling electronics, and e-waste disposal can be complicated topics, recycling our own electronics is a straightforward first step we as individuals can contribute to a healthier world.       

"Green" power sources are becoming more and more popular. Various companies are looking towards solar power, electricity, and wind power, rather than crude oil (such as hybrid/electric cars). The problem with this is that these alternative energy sources use Rare Earth Metals. It seems like we are solving one problem, but creating another problem in the process.

In 2013 it was estimated that China was the world’s largest dumping location for obsolete electronics, most of which came from other countries. A spokesperson from Greenpeace estimated over 70% of the world’s electronic waste, or e-waste, is ending up primitively recycled in China, instead of being recycled properly in the country it is derived from.[1] Recycling electronics (e-cycling) done wrong is harmful to the health of the workers, the community and the environment where it is performed. Without reducing the accumulation of e-waste as well as increasing the effectiveness of e-waste recycling facilities in the countries producing considerable amounts of e-waste, such as the United States, the e-waste is likely to continue to be illegally shipped to other countries to be disposed of. Although it is illegal to transport e-waste from the United States to other countries, it is still an occurring operation, one that drew numerous investigative reports by reputable news sources such as CNN, BBC as well as CBS’s 60 Minutes.

Both CNN and CBS separately visited one of the China’s largest e-waste sites, located in Guiyu, a town in southern China. They found Guiyu neighborhoods inundated with e-waste, much of it broken down and separated into piles to be consolidated. The town was reported to be so thick with air pollution from melting electronics it burned eyes and throats. It is said to contain rice paddies so contaminated by the melting of electronics, the locals wouldn’t even eat it. The reports further described Guiyu as a place where wild buffalo walk on glass from monitors, rivers run black with ash from burning down electronics and the corruption runs wild. CBS was told by Guiyu’s mayor’s office that they were not welcome to visit various recycling plants, only one they would be escorted to. They described being mugged when they tried to venture out on their own, having their soil samples taken and struggling to keep their cameras. The people in Guiyu explained to CBS they go through this process to sell the elements and plastic even though the work is toxic, stating it pays well, as much as the equivalent 8 American dollars a day.[2] One worker told CNN they sell their plastic to Foxconn, a company that manufactures electronics for Dell and Apple.

The process of breaking down electronics is especially hazardous for the worker’s health. Electronic waste is melted by blow torches to establish which elements are available to harvest. Hydrochloric acid is also used to strip valuable elements from the e-waste. As CNN’s video shows plastics added to vats of unknown fluid and mixed by workers’ bare hands, one can only image the health hazards. Shantou University in China reported Guiyu has the highest level of cancer-causing substances in the world. Workers, some very young, are also exposed to high amounts of lead, leading to lead poisoning which is known to cause developmental issues.[3] This widespread contamination of the environment and its inhabitants should be of concern to everyone across the world that comes into contact with electronics. It can be argued that if we are not part of the solution we are part of the problem. Considering one’s contribution to the e-waste problem may provide insight on how to become part of the solution.

Watch CNN’s video here.
Watch CBS’s video here.

A common problem that comes about is what exactly should we do after our devices kick the bucket? There's probably a lot of these still sitting around your house not knowing what to do with them, maybe you're concerned about your personal information resurfacing after being discarded, or perhaps just the lack of proper information on how to dispose or your cell phones, computers, and electronic materials. Luckily, this is not as difficult as it sounds to get rid of your expired devices in a safe, secure, and efficient way.

Much of the world's electronic waste is not actually recycled but rather completely disregarded and thrown away carelessly.

"A great deal of what is labeled as “e-waste” is actually not waste at all; rather, it is whole electronic equipment or parts that are readily marketable for reuse or can be recycled for materials recovery. In 2009, approximately 25 percent of TVs, computer products, and cell phones that were ready for end-of-life management were collected for recycling. Cell phones were recycled at a rate of approximately 8 percent" (US EPA).

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has provided an excellent source for people to gain knowledge and locate accepted settings to dispose of products.

This is exceedingly helpful to know when that day comes when a phone, computer, television, monitor, you name it, decides to cross the great divide.

Look at these great tips before you go and donate or recycle your machine.

Firstly,

• For your computer or laptop, consider upgrading the hardware or software instead of buying a brand new product.
• Delete all personal information from your electronics.
• Remove any batteries from your electronics, they may need to be recycled separately.

You can check you this link that takes you to some companies that offer options for recycling or donation.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm

Or if you can't find what you are looking for, these sites will take you to some suitable locations

http://www.call2recycle.org/locator/ (this site is for mainly batteries)
http://search.earth911.com/ (search places to recycle anything imaginable!)
http://www.ecyclingcentral.com/ (provides a source for e-cycling events near you)
http://greenergadgets.org/ (this has a really cool energy calculator to show you your electronic use)

I was able to find plenty of convenient locations on Earth 911 to recycle some old cell phones I've been holding on to for a while.

















E-cycling doesn't just help free up some clutter at home but there are some great environmental and social benefits for the community!

"Recycling your cell phone helps protect the environment in a number of ways. Cell phones are made from valuable resources such as precious metals, copper, and plastics—all of which require energy to mine and process. Recovering these materials by recycling avoids the need to mine and process new materials, which in turn, conserves our natural resources, and avoids air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, we would save the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 24,000 US homes in a year.

Cell phones have a number of different metals in them which can be recycled. For every million cell phones we recycle, 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. Recovering metals from used cell phones can reduce extraction of raw metals from the earth" (US EPA).

"If the cell phone and its accessories are in good working condition, some collection programs donate them to a number of worthy charities or provide them for sale to those who need them. In addition, many reuse and recycling programs use the proceeds of their programs to benefit charitable organizations, such as domestic violence, environmental causes, children’s safety, etc. Other recycling programs work with schools and other organizations to collect cell phones as fundraising ventures. The principal markets for refurbished cell phones extend beyond the US—availing access to modern communication technology to many people in developing economies with who would not otherwise be able to afford it" (US EPA).

Take some time to check out the US Environmental Protection Agency website and learn how you can help the community and environment, and at the same time get rid all your unused and inoperative devices!

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/faq.htm#howmuch

I think most of us know that technology is the most prevalent aspect of modern society. It's all around us! We are constantly being stimulated by computers, phones, MP3s, screens, and all sorts of electronic devices. When's the last time you checked your phone? I know it was probably only a few minutes ago for me. Being student as well we need to be constantly on the computer doing homework and assignments and it takes up a good part of our day just looking a screen non stop.

"We are now more wired than ever. Researchers from the University of Glasgow found that half of the study participants reported checking their email once an hour, while some individuals check up to 30 to 40 times an hour. An AOL study revealed that 59 percent of PDA users check every single time an email arrives and 83 percent check email every day on vacation" (WebMD).

All these devices are doing more harm than you may think. Having that constant stimulation can cause detrimental effect to our mental being. Some of the mental impacts relate to social capabilities and interactions. People who used their smart phones and devices a large amount were ones who experience the most influence. Heavy users of technology also could affect their physical health as well; headaches, insomnia, and stress are only some of the tolls that technology can cause harm. These habits can often lead to technology dependency and addiction...yes addiction. Just like anything else, too much of something can cause adverse impressions and prompt to fixation and reliance.

It's important to disconnect from technology can give your body as rest from continual use. Here is some great tips to help us all to control and manage a healthy device consumption!

• Experiment with short periods of inaccessibility. Your life won't implode, Ferriss says. "As with any addiction, there is a period of withdrawal and anxiety."
• Leave your cell phone and PDA at home one day a week. Saturday is a good day to cut off email and cell phone usage. "For most people, it will feel like a two-week vacation," Ferriss says. "The psychological recovery it offers is pretty unbelievable."
• Set a "not-to-do list." Don't check email before 10 a.m. to avoid immediate reactive mode, Ferriss suggests. Set intervals to check email, for example, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Use an auto-responder to explain that you can be reached any time on your cell phone.
• Eliminate rather than streamline whenever possible. Lose the RSS feeder, Ferriss says. "If you have an addictive impulse with tools, lose the tool," he says.
• Hire a virtual assistant. "A big part of priority management is teaching others tasks," he says. "A big part is getting over yourself. You don't have a superhuman email checking ability."
• Buddy up. Don't go it alone on the road to recovery, Hallowell says, because you're likely to revert to your old habits. Ask a colleague, administrative assistant, or spouse to help you enforce the new rules.
• Learn moderation. "I'm not anti-technology," Hallowell says. "Some is good for you, but too much is really, really bad."