As more people purchase new computers, cell phones, Blu-ray disc players, HDTVs, and other devices, electronic waste has become major environmental problem.

Electronic waste, otherwise referred to as e-waste, is filling landfills at a staggering rate when in fact these components can be recycled and put to good use. To add to the problem, toxic substances in e-waste can leach out into the environment and cause health concerns. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the problems associated with e-waste and what we can do to lessen the dumping of used electronic goods into landfills.

Why E-Waste Is So Prevalent

Rather than taking the time to recycle used electronics, many people simply toss them in a drawer or in the garage only to be forgotten until cleaning day. Inevitably, used electronics end up in the landfill simply because the easiest course of action is to toss them in the trash.

This all too familiar scenario plays out with precision every day across the United States. For example in California alone, approximately 44,000 cell phones are disposed of every day with only a very small percentage headed for the recycle bin.

E-Waste and Cell Phones

As an example, let's take a quick look at how frequent purchasing and replacement of cell phones is adding to the e-waste problem.

According to recent reports, the average American replaces his or her cell phone every 18 months. The high turnover of these modern-day handheld wonders translates into roughly 125 million cell phones disposed of each year. Even more of the convenient electronic devices sit in boxes and drawers awaiting their eventual arrival at the landfill.

Few people know that cell phones contain toxins that are hazardous to the environment when improperly disposed at the landfill. Chemicals such as lead and cadmium from circuit boards, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and batteries can leach out into the air, soil, and water, causing an unhealthy situation for us all.

Proper Disposal of E-Waste: It's Not That Difficult

Rather than dumping your used e-waste in the trash can where it will end up in the landfill, point your INTERNET browser to "TIA's E-Cycling Center":http://www.eiae.org or "Earth911.com's Electronics Recycling page":http://earth911.com/electronics.

Be sure to check out "CollectiveGood International":http://www.collectivegood.com/index.asp which recycles mobile phones, PDAs, pagers, monitors, computers, gaming consoles, digital cameras, printers, and MP3 players. CollectiveGood allows you to select a charity you want to help by simply sending them your used electronics, and you may even qualify for a tax credit.

Some retail stores including "Staples":http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/ecoeasy/happy_fun_place.html accept cell phones and small electronics for recycling. I've even seen a small box in my local library to accept used cell phones. Your e-waste may even be refurbished and sent to developing nations where they are sold with profits going toward charity.

So as you can see, it makes much more sense to recycle your e-waste where it can be used rather than dumping it in the trash where it sits in a landfill.