The environment and the economy are really two sides of the same coin. If we cannot sustain the environment, we cannot sustain ourselves.

 Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to discarded electronic devices and equipment that are no longer in use, obsolete, or broken beyond repair. This category includes a wide range of products such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, printers, refrigerators, and even smaller devices like chargers, batteries, and household electronics. As technology advances rapidly, the volume of e-waste is growing at an alarming rate, creating significant environmental and health concerns. 

• Environmental Impact: Many electronic devices contain hazardous materials, including lead, mercury, and cadmium. Improper disposal of e-waste can lead to these toxic substances leaching into the soil and water, causing long-term environmental damage. For instance, heavy metals like lead can contaminate groundwater, while mercury can harm ecosystems and wildlife, ultimately coming back to humans in our foods.
• Health Risks: Exposure to hazardous materials in e-waste can pose serious health risks, especially to workers in informal recycling sectors. In regions where e-waste is processed using unsafe methods (like open burning or acid baths), there is an increased risk of respiratory problems, neurological damage, and even cancer due to the inhalation of toxic fumes and particles.
• Resource Wastage: Electronic devices often contain valuable materials such as gold, silver, copper, and rare earth metals. Instead of being properly recycled, these materials are often lost when e-waste is dumped in landfills. By recycling e-waste, these materials can be recovered and reused, reducing the need for mining and conserving natural resources.

 The volume of global e-waste is growing at an unprecedented rate. According to the United Nations, in 2019 alone, the world generated 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste, and this figure is expected to increase by 21% by 2030. Developed countries like the United States, Japan, and Germany are major contributors to e-waste production, but many developing nations in Africa and Asia have become hotspots for improper e-waste disposal due to informal recycling practices and lack of proper waste management infrastructure. 

Proper disposal and recycling are essential for reducing the negative impact of e-waste. Some key practices include:

• Recycling Programs: West Palm Beach and the wider Palm Beach County have established e-waste recycling programs through the Solid Waste Authority, where consumers can drop off old electronics at their designated recycling centers. These programs often ensure that devices are dismantled and their components are responsibly processed, but are inconvenient for citizens use and require they potentially travel long distances for the simple goal of sustainability.
• Consumer Awareness and Responsibility: One of the most effective ways to manage e-waste is by educating consumers about proper disposal methods and encourage them to advocate for better, more accessible routes. Many people are unaware of the environmental dangers associated with tossing old electronics into regular trash, or don't calculate it as being a higher cost to them then traveling for disposal. Simple steps, however, such as donating or recycling devices and developing easy disposal sites could help to make a significant difference.

Here at Circuit Cycle we acknowledge the importance of recycling and the inaccessibility of current recycling infrastructure, along with the gap in recycled materials as a result. These issues are pressing; we cannot, and will not let such a lackluster approach to such a concerning matter be the only option. From this stems our petition, where we advocate for a system similar to the system found in Switzerland, one of the world's leading E-waste recycling countries. Their approach is logical; partner with local grocery store chains to set up recycling bins in the communities they serve. Inspired by our pasts, and looking to our future, we drafted our first petition on change.org, linked below, in order to show that this is an issue that the community cares about and wants to change.

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