The Native Village of Eyak collected 20,000 pounds of electronics during its annual recycling event May 22-29. All electronics that has a cord or takes batteries were accepted. We would like to thank everybody who participated by donating their unused electronics to help preserve our unlined landfill for years to come.
NVE would like to extend its appreciation to the city of Cordova for letting us place the container van on their property, and to Alaska Marine Lines who graciously donates the shipment out of Cordova. In all, there were 20 pallets of electronics, four pallets of lead-acid batteries, and 10 five-gallon buckets of household batteries that NVE collects from the post office battery collection.
It is important to dispose of electronic waste properly not only to preserve our landfill space, but to recycle metals and other materials that can be hazardous to human health and to the environment. In addition, electronics are made with valuable materials such as precious metals, engineered plastics and glass, all of which require energy to manufacture. If those items are tossed away, those resources cannot be recovered, and additional pollution is created to manufacture new products from raw materials.
Some hazardous materials found in electronics include cadmium, lead and hexavalent chromium. Cadmium, found in chip resistors, infrared detectors and semiconductors, is toxic, persistent and can bioaccumulate in animal tissue. Its primary exposure pathway is through inhalation and ingestion. It particularly impacts the kidneys and is associated with bone disease.
Lead, found in glass panels, computer monitors and circuit boards, can cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, blood systems and kidneys. Lead also can have negative effects on children’s brains. It accumulates in the environment and effects plants, animals and humans. It is estimated that consumer electronics are responsible for 40 percent of lead found in landfills. Lead leaches out of unlined landfills (like ours in Cordova), and can contaminate our waterways, drinking water and ultimately our subsistence food.
Hexavalent Chromium, used for corrosion control of untreated and galvanized steel, can damage DNA and has been linked to asthmatic bronchitis. The primary concern is landfill leachate and ash generated when burned.
Do your part and recycle your unwanted electronics instead of throwing them away.
Ivy Patton is the environmental coordinator for the Native Village of Eyak.
