Through the grant program, EGLE has helped communities across Michigan establish local e-waste drop off sites or hold collection events. To keep up with resident’s desire to participate in electronics recycling, EGLE has focused its annual electronics grant program on rural areas of the state.

A much larger amount simply resides in drawers, basements and garages waiting to be recycled, primarily because people don't know where to recycle it or there are no opportunities”

'A little less than 15 percent of that actually gets recycled. 'In 2019, in the United States, 46 pounds per person of waste electronics were generated' Noble said. That’s why proper disposal of electronic waste – or e-waste – is so important, says Steve Noble, electronics recycling specialist at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). It also results in people disposing of obsolete televisions, computers, or smart phones that contain hazardous substances as the items get replaced by the next best gadget.Įlectronics are made up of materials that can be toxic if released into the environment, like leaded glass, mercury switches, mercury bulbs, brominated flame-retardant plastics, and electronic circuitry made of cadmium, chromium, and lead. The holiday season means not only gift giving.

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