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E-waste Recycling July 08, 2021 02:30:29 AM

How to Understand the Types of Electronics Recyclers

Waste Advantage
ScrapMonster Author
Plastics, glass, precious metals, copper, and palladium parts are recovered and reused to minimize their effect on the environment during the recycling process.

How to Understand the Types of Electronics Recyclers

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage):  With the fast development of our technology, society has to deal with the mammoth task of ensuring the environmental disposal of electronic devices. However, this excessive turnover of electronic devices is mainly due to old ones becoming irrelevant, unable to keep up with their competition.

Why is Electronic Recycling Important?

The recycling of electronic products has become a significant issue society has to face. According to a report given by The United Nations University, it is estimated that electric waste will reach 57.5 million tons in 2021. The yearly accumulation of e-waste was 49.3 tons in 2016. This rapid increase in just 5 years is attributed to the shortened lifespan of specific electronic devices.

E-waste recycling is not just beneficial to the environment. It also helps recover necessary raw materials. While the divide that is to be recycled is at the end of its lifespan, its more minor parts can still be reused. Plastics, glass, precious metals, copper, and palladium parts are recovered and reused to minimize their effect on the environment during the recycling process.

Furthermore, in some states, regular disposal of electronic devices is illegal. E-waste can contain toxic substances – cadmium, mercury, or lead – which are harmful to humans and the environment. For this reason, electronic waste needs to be disposed of in a careful manner, which will enable their reuse.

Almost all types of electronic devices, or their specific parts at least, can be reused. For example, cell phones tend to have a 2-year life cycle, but throwing them out with the trash is not the best idea. Most cell phones contain toxic materials, which can lead to landfill and water pollution. Desktop computers, kindles, tablets, laptops, etc., have longer usability, but they become outdated before their life gives out. Same can be said for television sets, digital music devices, and all of the cords, wiring, cables, and numerous other parts they come with.

How can an Individual Reduce E-Waste?

E-waste recycling might seem like a daunting task to take up. However, with some smaller steps, anyone can take the right approach and help decrease the electronic waste accumulated in the world.

Use the Cloud for Storage

Utilizing online storage space and managing your data on a network of servers will eliminate the demand for external storage devices. Both businesses and individuals can use this storage and managing method, which will also help reduce the costs companies pay to run their data centers. Cloud computing includes Google Drive and Amazon Web Services, which offer free storage with limited storage space.

Find a Recycler

Another excellent way to get rid of unwanted and no longer helpful devices is to take them to an electronics recycler. Most cities will have at least one shop or programs that deal with e-waste collection and the distribution of their valuable parts. They can be privately owned, municipal recyclers or recycling centers operated by a national program. Whichever the case, they will be able to help with unwanted gadgets.

Return them to the Tech Companies

Returning the old products to their manufacturers is probably the best way to recycle them. The companies who have designed and produced the items know what they contain and how best to handle them. Some tech companies offer recycling programs, while others even add benefits. Generally speaking, a price cut on a new model or a store credit can be expected as incentives for returning an old product for recycling.

Donate the Old Devices

What is trash for one person might be treasure for a different one. Some numerous non-profit organizations and charities take over still functional electronic items and give them to those in need. There are different types of non-profit organizations to donate to, from Make-A-Wish to Military charities and Earth911. By donating no longer needed devices to school programs, libraries or charities, a tax break can also be expected – which is beneficial for everyone.

Sell the Old Devices

If the device is still functional, it can also be sold. While their price likely will be lower, it will still not be a significant loss. Versatile websites deal with the reselling of used electronic goods. The owner can set their terms for the sale – price, shipping, location, etc. Reselling old mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc., is a budget- and environmentally friendly way to recycle. An example is Freedom Mobiles, an online platform where you can quickly sell your iPhone. Their recyclers offer competitive market prices for their unwanted iPhones.

Erase the Data

While many do not wish to recycle their electronic devices because of user data, a few simple steps can be taken to ensure the safety of personal information. Before selling, donating, or returning any electronic appliance that contains data, it is essential to erase all data from the device and return it to its factory settings. Your information needs to be saved to a different device or cloud. Any additional storage (memory or SIM cards) has to be removed. All personal data needs to be deleted from the machine. This process can be done with computers, laptops, Android phones, and iPhones, preventing the spreading of personal information.

There are numerous ways one can help out the environment and recycle their e-waste. Sometimes the solution is more straightforward than it seems to be at first glance. The most important thing is to dispose of electronic devices correctly. Still, functional appliances can be donated or resold. In contrast, dead ones should be sent to recyclers to utilize their parts to reduce energy and raw material waste.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com

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