Recycling tech trash.

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U.S. government estimates show that 133,000 electronic devices are tossed aside each day--meaning about 3 million tons of "e-junk" is thrown away each year.

That's a lot of trash, most of which is toxic and, when carelessly tossed in landfills, leaks chemicals that contaminate groundwater and pose health threats to humans. For example, cathode ray tubes from aging TVs and monitors can contain four to eight pounds of lead, which could ooze out of the tubes in landfills and eventually into groundwater. Semiconductors and chip resistors hold toxic cadmium, which has been linked to kidney damage. And mercury in thermostats, relay switches, and telecom equipment can seep into waterways and sediment, poisoning food sources and exposing humans to possible brain damage.

But, fortunately, a new industry--e-cycling--is recycling dangerous e-junk and turning it into everyday products for reuse by consumers.

Molam International, Georgia's largest electronic recycling depot, recycles one million pounds of electronics each month in its...

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