This week’s question concerns the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s recent statement that Americans throw out two million tons of e-waste each year, containing hazardous materials such as mercury, cadmium, lead, and brominated flame retardants. Only 23 percent of respondents to a recent national online survey of 1,000 adults said they recycle old or unused electronic items, while 41 percent said they throw unwanted consumer electronics in the trash or do not dispose of them at all.
With electronics waste likely to worsen as consumption increases, should a fee be added to the purchase price of consumer electronic products and reimbursed only when the consumer properly disposes them — similar to existing bottle and recycling programs? What do you think?
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