E-Waste Recycling

The recycling of electronic waste is a complex process that we have made easy for our ethical and responsible customers. We handle all stages of e-waste recycling, from picking up the equipment from your premises, to destroying data on all hard drives and similar electronics. We ensure that 100% of recoverable materials are recycled and put to new use, helping to ensure that your business has done all that it can to reduce its e-waste footprint on our planet.

 

  • An Efficient Electronic Waste Recycling Process – Using a one-size-fits-all process does not solve the problem of equipment disposal. Because of that, we work with you to develop an ITAD strategy that is not only more comprehensive but is both cheaper for your company and better for the environment. With our e-waste reprocessing methods, we can repurpose and remarket equipment, opening up revenue streams for your obsolete equipment, and we can properly recycle any precious metals from your equipment. We have the knowledge to determine the best path to take when retiring your equipment that is accomplished in a secure, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner.

 

  • No Shipping Woes – We have the tools needed to pick up your old equipment. Along with owning the largest fleet of e-waste recycling trucks in North America, we handle all of the packaging, organizing, and removal of your obsolete equipment so you can devote your time to running your business. We offer a state-of-the-art management portal online, where you can track the equipment at all times. We make things easy for you.

 

  • Be Rest Assured – We know that your equipment may hold crucial data, and with that, the e-waste recycling of such equipment is a responsibility that must be approached with a great deal of care. We have a proven track record of certified integrity and assurance. We are dedicated to ensuring the proper disposal of your e-waste. Our company holds the highest certifications in the industry –  R2 Responsible Recycling, and ISO 14001. We give great attention to detail when dealing with your data and assets, keeping you informed every step of the way.

 

  • E-Waste Recycling for a Better Future – Everyone here is well-versed in the laws on equipment recycling across the country, so we know that the improper disposal of your e-waste can potentially leave you with enormous fines large enough to damage your business and reputation. We choose to go well above the minimum government guidelines to ensure that every last item of yours is properly recycled through our e-waste recycling methods that we believe will play a part in creating a sustainable future for our environment and the people in it that we hold dear. This is why we do what we do.

 

How to Perform E-Waste Recycling

Worldwide, each person produces more than 15 pounds of electronic waste annually, and the volume is expected to increase by 33% by 2017. Electronic waste is currently the fastest growing segment of municipal waste, growing five times faster than other waste streams.

Combined, the U.S. generated more than 9 billion pounds of electronic waste last year, and yet only approximately 2 billion pounds of obsolete electronics were collected for recycling. Currently, businesses and organizations contribute more than 75% of electronics that enter the recycling stream, with individual consumers lagging far behind.

 

Environmental Concerns

Nearly half of electronics reaching the end of their useful life in the last several years are computer monitors and televisions, which contain cathode ray tubes that contain lead and other toxic materials.

Due to the environmental concerns regarding improper disposal of toxic electronic waste, 25 states have passed regulations designed to address responsible disposal of potentially harmful materials associated with electronics, including lead, mercury, flame retardants, and heavy metals. When disposed of improperly, these substances can pollute the ground, water, and air. Regulations, combined with responsible practices, are expected to increase recycling of electronics by more than a third.

 

The Fallout of Unsafe Practices

It is estimated that as much as 75% of electronics collected for e-waste recycling within the U.S. are processed outside the U.S. Electronics often ending up in landfills in poor nations, such as Pakistan, India, and many West African countries where looser regulation allows for dumping in landfills and incineration of electronics. This can lead to long-term damage to their environment, including compromising plant, animal, and even human life.

Electronics currently account for 70% of all toxic waste materials currently in landfills. In reality, much of what is labeled as e-waste is not waste at all, but rather materials that can be reclaimed and reused. Metals such as lead, copper, palladium, silver and gold can easily be harvested in the e-waste recycling process, which prevents the need for further mining of already scarce resources.

35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered from just one million cell phones. Additionally, some parts can be refurbished or reconditioned and reused fully intact, which reduces the need to manufacture new parts, which requires a significant investment of fossil fuels and water. 81% of the carbon footprint associated with the life-cycle of a computer comes from its manufacture, with the other 19% generated during the computer’s useful life.

 

Consumer Options

Many state laws require manufacturers to label electronics with recycling information, making it easier for consumers to identify and properly dispose of electronics through recyclers. Additionally, manufacturers must register with the state and pay a fee that helps defray the costs of recycling. While not all recyclers engage in environmentally sound practices, responsible managers of e-waste recycling can become certified by demonstrating to an accredited independent third party that they adhere to industry-specific standards for responsible recycling. The U.S. Environmental Protection Department currently encourages all electronics recyclers to seek certification and encourages consumers to choose only certified recyclers.

 

Making an Ethical and Responsible Choice

As an e-waste recycler that prides itself on professionalism and ethical behavior, we recycle all electronics within the U.S. according to the highest standards, ensuring nothing is shipped to third world countries where it will languish in their landfills and pollute their environment. Any items that can be repaired or reused are salvaged, reducing the need to manufacture more parts. When items cannot be salvaged, we reclaim valuable and often scarce precious metals and other materials, which often requires a significant investment of energy and resources to produce.

We offer convenient drop-off locations for recyclables, or consumers can arrange for a free pick-up. We are often able to provide the consumer pays for the materials, and parts recycled. Consumers can track the progress of their recyclables at any stage of the process conveniently through our website. We use industry best practices and run our operations in an integral manner in compliance with all state and federal laws. We look forward to being your recycler of choice.

Check out our blog to learn more about laptop recycling