First of all, yes I know this discussion group has gone around and around
with the science and lack of science problems of various Lead/Free solder
legislations around the world.

But in the holiday spirit of sharing, I thought I would share with you a
few ideas that were generated by my materials science grad student class
that I teach.

The class was given an assignment to write a term paper on Lead Free
Soldering: materials, environmental impact, costs, and strategy for a
positive outcome.

1)Several students were puzzled by the fact that the amount of lead in
lead-acid batteries that is NOT recycled each year is so much greater than
the volume of lead in Sn/Pb solder assembled electronics.   Students, go
figure.

2)Others marveled at the self induced power of the clever lead free
strategic marketing “tail” wagging the HUGE US Consumer Electronics
market “dog”.

Those were fun discussions, but what I wanted to share most with this
group is two interesting ideas which incorporate a lot of what has been
said in the past but I think perhaps with a fresh twist.  No, they were
not coached.  In fact I purposely posponed lectures on lead free solder
until after their term papers were handed in.

a)One suggestion was to satisfy the problem of filling garbage dumps with
old electronics assemblies, as well as beginning the process of creating a
sustainable electronic product materials industry…

1a.The US should pass legislation that it will not allow any electronics
manufacturer to sell product in the US unless that manufacturer has built
a facility which by 2010 which will collect and recycle 25% of the weight
of product sold per year in the US, 50% by 2015, and 100% by 2020.

b)To alleviate all the cost of converting to Pb-free solder assembly
(might be a little late for this one) and further encourage materials
recycling, it was suggested that legislation be passed to prevent the sale
of all electronics products in the US that contain less than 25% Pb in
solder used for assembly.

Both of these put the dog more naturally in charge of its tail.

Happy Holidays…

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