This is in response to the Japan electronics disposal data posted by
Chris James. Since environmental activists never provide a number to use
as a denominator, here's one you can keep in mind: in 2001 in the US,
municipal solid waste amounted to 231 million tons, or about 2 kg per
person per day. Next time you see a reference to the "mountain" of
e-waste and the "looming crisis" it poses, use these numbers to divide
the numbers you see. The population of Japan is about 125 million,
compared to just under 300 million for the US.

More reference info: In 2001 about 30 percent of MSW was recovered, 15
percent was combusted, and the balance was landfilled. MSW is primarily
comprised of post-consumer residential and commercial solid wastes; it
excludes mining, agricultural and industrial processing, demolition and
construction wastes, sewage sludge, junked autos and obsolete equipment
wastes. Major categories of makeup: 35.7% paper and paperboard, 12.2%
yard wastes, 11.4% food wastes, and 11.1% plastics. Electronic waste is
about 1%. About 30 percent of MSW is recovered, 15% is incinerated, and
the balance is landfilled.

Source: US Census Bureau Statistical Abstracts,
http://www.census.gov/prod/2004pubs/03statab/geo.pdf. See Table No. 375.


 

Gordon Davy 

Baltimore, MD 

[log in to unmask]

410-993-7399 


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Leadfee Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Leadfree
To temporarily stop/(start) delivery of Leadree for vacation breaks send: SET Leadfree NOMAIL/(MAIL)
Search previous postings at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------