E-waste has become an increasingly urgent problem for the world as a whole. Around the world, only 17% of all e-waste is recycled, and this means that millions of tons of potentially hazardous materials are entering the waste stream every year.
With the expansion of technology making its way to every continent, individuals & businesses are responding by moving out their outdated equipment. To address this matter, we cannot settle for business as usual. Just as we’ve changed our lifestyle by adopting laptops & smartphones into our lives, it follows that we need to adjust how we dispose of our old devices.
Computer Recycling, an e-waste recycling company with a regional foundation & a nationwide reach, elaborates on the growing worldwide e-waste challenges we’re facing and what individual companies can do to help.
What is e-waste?
E-waste is defined as outdated or unused electronic equipment like computers, TVs, monitors, printers, and smartphones. When companies and individuals stop using their old electronics, these materials are thought of as e-waste, whether they are recycled or just take up space in a home or office.
Why is e-waste dangerous?
When not properly recycled, most e-waste goes directly to common trash disposal services, and it is then burned in an incinerator or takes up landfill space.
This method of e-waste disposal should be phased out because electronics are comprised primarily of metals like lead and cadmium. These metals leach into the soil and water supply when equipment is buried or left out in the open air. Lead, cadmium, or mercury contamination can lead to cancer, nervous system problems, and congenital disabilities.
Keeping these materials out of landfills may not seem to do much to improve public health and contribute to a cleaner, greener future for present & future generations. Still, when the large volume of e-waste generated globally is considered, we can make huge steps in the right direction if we all come together to do the right thing.
The e-waste Recycling Process
The process begins by removing hard drives from computing devices. After removing the hard drives, the recycling process separates all parts. Plastic, metals, and glass can be recycled to assemble new computers, and anything potentially hazardous to all life forms is removed.
They either perform US Department of Defense (DOD) standard wipes on all hard drives, break the hard drive plates into tiny pieces, or run them through hard drive shredding machines. This ensures that hackers will not be able to reassemble these hard drives or use their data for their gain.
Unfortunately, when many companies discard their e-waste, they neglect to take data destruction into account and leave their clients, patients, students & employees vulnerable to identity theft and loss of privacy. To ensure that no data stored on your devices are susceptible to scavenging, count on the experts at Computer Recycling to get the job done.
How can Companies Minimize Their Contribution to the Problem of E-waste?
One option to consider when reducing the worldwide glut of e-waste is prolonging the lifespan of our current devices. Each computer should be carefully examined to ensure if it can be repaired or restored to good working condition. Fixing and upgrading devices is a straightforward method of ensuring they won’t be disposed of improperly.
If your devices have reached the end of their useful life, choose an experienced facility for e-waste & laptop recycling. Qualified electronics recycling firms like Computer Recycling can take your old electronics, neutralize their danger to public health and the environment, and ensure that their salvageable components are made into new electronics.
Complying with Electronics Recycling Laws
In most states around the country, there are laws governing proper electronics recycling. These are on the books due to environmental concerns and ensuring data security for consumers, employees, & students. Businesses & organizations that neglect their responsibility to recycle their e-waste may face significant fines and damage to their reputations which they may never recover from.
The Importance of Recycling E-waste
Recycling your obsolete electronics is part of being responsible corporate citizens for the above reasons. Conscientious companies always reuse, reduce, and recycle their e-waste whenever possible.
Computer Recycling provides a reputable, convenient and straightforward e-waste option to companies across the United States, whether you’re recycling a few devices or performing a significant system upgrade.
