3 Questions: Randolph Kirchain on the spread of electronic waste
Randolph Kirchain, a senior research scientist in MIT’s Engineering Systems Division, has long specialized in analyzing the raw materials used to manufacture new products and the waste generated by those projects at the end of their useful life. In a new study sponsored by the StEP (Solving the E-waste Problem) Initiative and administered by United Nations University, Kirchain and colleagues from MIT and the National Center for Electronics Recycling studied the growing quantities of used electronics devices — including computers, televisions, and cellphones — that are shipped around and out of the country every year. The study was published online yesterday.Q. How much of a problem could this growing stream of used electronics become, and what are the most problematic components of it? A. Used electronics contain some materials that are valuable and some that have the potential to be harmful to humans or the environment if treated in an...