Each year electronic devices and equipment are discarded as people upgrade to newer models or when a device reaches the end of its life span. These discarded electronics are considered e-waste and have become a challenge to dispose of safely with the increased use and disposal of IT equipment.
Electronic waste is a threat to the environment when not managed responsibly. This is because old electronics contain a multitude of toxins that are released into the environment when they are dumped in landfills or subjected to incineration. Sometimes even inferior recycling practices, which are not in sync with the environmental regulations imposed by the EPA, cause environmental degradation by releasing as much as 1000 hazardous substances into the environment.
Then what is recycling and how can it be achieved to protect the environment against the menace of electronic waste? This comprehensive blog will provide an in-depth review of responsible e-waste recycling practices helping to answer your query of what is recycling. It further explores the environmental and health impacts of improper e-waste disposal and finally concludes by giving pointers for choosing the best-certified e-waste recycling company for your recycling needs.
Defining E-waste
The Environmental Protection Agency in the USA defines electronic waste as “ old electronic devices that are near the end of their life cycle and are thrown away, donated or given to a recycling company”
To further elaborate this, any device that has a cord attached to it, houses batteries of any kind and has any variety of an electrical component for example a circuit board falls under the umbrella of electronic waste.
The most common items constituting e-waste are
- Laptops
- Desktop computers
- Smartphones
- Smartwatches
- Tablets
- Batteries
- Medical equipment
- Large household appliances etc
Deciphering E-Waste & Its Global Impact in 2024
Electronic waste and the challenges around its safe disposal have become a major concern in the USA and globally. According to the US PIRG Education Fund, on average Americans dispose of 416,000 cell phones each day, compared to this staggering number only 15 to 20% of e-waste is recycled in the USA.
These figures portray the magnitude of the e-waste recycling issue and serve to act as a strong turning point for taking action.
The Environmental Impact of E-Waste
Electronic devices are an imperative part of daily life. From smartphones to smartwatches and from laptops to tablets, we need this equipment for the completion of our daily chores at home and offices. However, once the useful life of these devices comes to an end, they become a threat to the environment.
When used electronic equipment is dumped into landfills the hazardous substances present within them like mercury, cadmium, cobalt, nickel, etc leach into the ground and come into contact with the soil and groundwater resources contaminating them irreversibly.
Additionally, many materials required for the manufacture of new electronic gadgets can be recovered from e-waste. When used electronics are dumped in landfills instead of being bought by certified e-waste recycling facilities the opportunity to extract these useful materials is lost. Mining fresh raw materials for the production of new devices and products involves mining for these substances from their ores. Mining activities are environmentally intensive and cause much damage to the environment by releasing greenhouse gasses and putting multiple ecosystems at risk.
Health Repercussions of Irresponsible E-waste Disposal
In addition to environmental degradation, electronic waste has several health risks associated with it as well. Recent epidemiological evidence has exposed the grave effects mishandling of e-waste can have on human health.
One such example is when used electronics are incinerated. This process increases the amount of dioxins in the surrounding area and puts recycling workers and other inhabitants of the area at an increased risk for cancer.
The health impacts of electronic waste are also pressing when e-waste is recycled using subpar and often illegal processes. Most of these primitive practices are implemented by unregulated backyard recyclers exposing their workers to health risks from inhaling toxic fumes that are released when electronics are melted. These uncertified recyclers do not have safety equipment like gloves and masks and this further exacerbates the health risks that workers have to face working in such types of recycling setups.
What Is Recycling Process Of Electronic Waste
Certified electronic waste recycling companies follow the regulations set up by local and federal agencies and implement recycling processes that have minimum environmental and health risks associated with them.
Are you still wondering what is recycling? This section of the blog addresses the step-by-step process of electronic recycling.
Collection
The e-waste recycling process begins with collection of the old electronics. Most certified e-waste recycling companies have designated drop-off points where consumers can come and drop their used electronics. The recycling company takes care of the recycling process thereafter.
Sorting
Once the electronics reach the recycling center they are manually sorted. Through sorting the devices are categorized based on their condition, type, and age.
Dismantling
This step involves the manual disassembly of the electronics into their gross constituents. For example, any device that has a battery will have its battery removed during the dismantling stage. Likewise, devices that have circuit boards will have those removed.
Shredding
Next, the dismantled electronics are passed through a shredder which shreds them into tiny pieces.
Separation
The small pieces of electronic waste are separated using magnetic and water separation techniques. Through magnetic separation, all the ferrous materials are separated, and using water separation materials like glass and plastics are removed from the amalgam of e-waste.
Recovery
If you think about what is recycling and which is the most essential phase of the whole process, it definitely would be recovery. During this stage, the useful materials are extracted from the old electronics and are used to manufacture second-generation products or sold to other industries.
Partnering With The Ideal E-Waste Recycling Provider: Important Considerations
Now that we have a comprehensive overview of what is recycling let us look at some important points to take into account when choosing an e-waste recycling partner.
Reputation
The first and foremost thing to pay attention to is the reputation of the company you are considering. You can make sure what reputation a company has by reading reviews and ratings left by previous clients on online platforms.
Customer Support
It is wise to select an e-waste recycling company that provides seamless customer support so that you can clarify your queries throughout your recycling journey with their help.
Compliance
To check whether the company you are choosing is compliant or not is crucial to the reputation of your business. It will also save you from legal lawsuits and penalties.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, we will reinforce the issue of proper disposal of e-waste and its importance for the preservation of the environment and public health. You might question what is recycling. The answer to this question is that proper recycling encompasses six key steps namely, collection, sorting, dismantling, shredding, separation, and recovery.
To ensure that your e-waste is handled responsibly and not through illegal activities you must check a company’s reputation, compliance proof, and customer support before you embark on your recycling journey with them.
Recycle Technologies is a reputable and one of the largest e-waste recyclers in the USA. We have served major businesses and residential clients to dispose of their used electronics in an environmentally friendly manner.
For more information about our services and how our team can help you contact us today or log onto our website.