As the world continues to get more educated about the hazards of improper disposal of electronic waste and the importance of adopting sustainable practices, the question of why is recycling important has gained more momentum. In this regard, it is important to first have clarity about what e-waste is.
Electronic waste was previously referred to as digital rubbish but this term is no longer in use and has been replaced with electronic waste or e-waste. This type of waste includes all electronic equipment that houses a battery, has a cord, or any electronic component. When such devices have served their useful life or malfunction, they are discarded and are categorized as e-waste.
The most common e-waste items are computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, but this list is not exhaustive. In this blog, you will get an in-depth look into why recycling is important, the benefits of e-waste recycling, and how Ez on the earth helps you ease the process of recycling.
Why Is Recycling Important When It Comes To E-Waste
We now know the definition of e-waste but the question of why is recycling important remains. These days the majority of e-waste is being generated not because electrical devices reach the end of their life span but because of planned obsolescence. This has resulted in a mountain of electronic waste and it is essential to manage it responsibly as it has severe environmental and health repercussions.
Seven Reasons Why Recycling Is Important To Reduce E-waste
Decreases Ecosystem Contamination
Electronic waste may seem harmless to be thrown away in the trash once the devices are no longer working, but it is extremely hazardous to do so. Old electronic equipment contains a plethora of poisonous substances that can be lethal to the environment. For instance, substances like mercury, cadmium, lead, and nickel are commonly found in electronic devices and are known to cause contamination of resources and damage the fragile balance of several ecosystems.
Luckily, Ez on the earth has developed safe procedures that enable the removal of these toxic substances and manage them in an eco-friendly manner. This helps to divert these poisonous substances from landfills and prevents natural resources like freshwater bodies and soil from being polluted.
A Source of Refurbished Electronic Devices
As most electronic devices end up being e-waste because of people’s inclination to upgrade their old gadgets, most of these discarded electronics are still in working condition. Even if they are not in mint condition, most of these devices can be restored with some minor repairs.
Many certified recycling companies understand why recycling is important and breathe new life into old electronic devices by refurbishment and reusing them. These devices can also be donated to charity or non-profit organizations so that instead of investing in new products, older equipment can be made use of with equal efficiency but with lesser investment.
Ensures Compliance With Regulatory Laws
In the United States, businesses are held accountable for the e-waste they produce and also its disposal. This is regulated through the implementation of compliance laws and as a business owner, you must ensure that your company remains compliant with e-waste regulatory laws.
Most of these laws are a means to ensure that less waste ends up in landfills and is used in a closed loop through responsible recycling.
To keep in sync with these laws it is essential to make sure that you are making adequate arrangements to dispose of your electronic waste in an environmentally friendly way. This includes the packaging and transportation of this waste to a recycling center.
Ez on the earth offers specially tailored e-waste recycling services for businesses through which they can avail of our pick-up services and leave the logistics of packing and transferring their e-waste to our expert team.
Safeguards Sensitive Data
Responsible recycling of electronic waste is not only a means to care for the environment but also to safeguard your company’s confidential information that might still be present on your IT assets.
It is crucial to partner with a verified e-waste recycling company to ensure the proper erasure of sensitive data from your old devices and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
Improper disposal of old IT equipment can result in data theft and cause serious legal implications including hefty fines for your company. Ez on the earth has been providing secure and sustainable data destruction services to businesses in the USA for over two decades. We have developed safe mechanisms for the transport of devices that contain classified information and provide certificates of destruction as proof of your data being destroyed following the regulations set forth by local and federal agencies.
Creates Employment Opportunities
Most people still wonder why is recycling important. Another strong reason for this is that it has the power to create new job opportunities. E-waste recycling is an extensive process and requires an equally large workforce.
This improves the economy and combats the problem of unemployment.
Decreases Carbon Footprint and Is Budget Friendly
Climate change is a major issue facing the global community. E-waste recycling is one way that this challenge can be addressed. Incineration of used electronics emits a cloud of greenhouse gasses that serve to exacerbate climate change issues. Recycling e-waste is important to curb this negative phenomenon and protect the ozone layer.
Additionally, improperly disposed of e-waste is a hazard to human health as well. Toxic substances like mercury, cadmium, cobalt, nickel, etc are carcinogenic and can cause serious health concerns for humans. In this regard, recycling e-waste is imperative to not only conserve the environment but also public health.
Educates The Community
When businesses take e-waste recycling seriously and make it a part of company policy, it encourages the adoption of sustainable recycling practices at the grassroots level.
When these practices trickle down at the community level, they can bring out wonderful outcomes while portraying your company as the leader in bringing about positive change.
Conclusion
The question of why is recycling important is the starting point to encourage efforts towards adopting sustainable habits. Since e-waste has emerged as one of the biggest waste streams that the world is currently struggling with, it is crucial to take action to promote its responsible disposal.
Properly managing used electronic devices has a plethora of advantages associated with it, including environmental conservation, data protection, compliance with regulatory laws, creation of a myriad of jobs, and educating and incentivizing the community about responsible e-waste recycling practices.
Advantages of Recycling E-Waste with Ez on the Earth
Ez on the earth is the pioneer of specialized e-waste recycling services in Wisconsin and Minnesota. We provide a full range of customized services to businesses to take their load of e-waste recycling off of their shoulders in a compliant and eco-friendly manner.
To learn more about our electronic waste recycling services and how we can be of service to you, contact us today or log on to our website to get a free quote.