The Challenge of Handling E-Waste
It is well known that one of the fastest growing segments of the recycling industry is associated with electronic scrap, or "E-Waste".
This includes all types of electronic items such as computers, monitors, TVs, power supplies, telephones, (both land based and mobile), as well as the miscellaneous items associated with these components.
Technology is expanding at a faster rate every year - and with this expansion comes the need (and desire) to own the most advanced technology available.
This fact, and the fact that the average American owns several electronic devices, equates to a growing demand for proper electronics recycling.
Safely recycling these items is more important than just about any other recyclable commodity.
This is due to the low cost and often negative value of the components contained within these electronic products.
Items such as monitors and TVs typically have no value, and are banned from disposal in landfills and incinerators due to the lead content contained within the glass.
If these are broken and disposed of improperly they can cause potential damage to the environment.
An additional challenge associated with recycling E-Waste is the varied number of components each item may consist of.
A standard computer could actually be made up of 30 plus different types of materials, such as 6-8 different grades of plastics, steel, aluminum, and many other metals.
Each item has to be disassembled into its basic materials to obtain the most value and make for efficient recycling.
There is much discussion regarding the export of whole computers, monitors, TVs, and other components.
Many countries accept this type of material only to find that the end "market" is not properly controlled or licensed.
This has resulted in improper dumping of low-grade components once the high value material is removed.
Lack of environmental controls in these operations also creates unsafe work conditions for employees.
There are many fully licensed and compliant companies located abroad that process E-Waste in an environmentally correct fashion, however, the end markets must be researched and approved prior to shipment.
Moreover, many of the best markets for E-Waste components may be in foreign countries due to low labor cost, where environmental compliance and working conditions are often compromised.
Make sure that you are using a recycling company that adhere strict environmental guidelines not only at their location, but also with any downstream vendors and consumers.
Also be sure that they adhere to a "no export" policy for intact computers, monitors, TVs, and components.
This includes all types of electronic items such as computers, monitors, TVs, power supplies, telephones, (both land based and mobile), as well as the miscellaneous items associated with these components.
Technology is expanding at a faster rate every year - and with this expansion comes the need (and desire) to own the most advanced technology available.
This fact, and the fact that the average American owns several electronic devices, equates to a growing demand for proper electronics recycling.
Safely recycling these items is more important than just about any other recyclable commodity.
This is due to the low cost and often negative value of the components contained within these electronic products.
Items such as monitors and TVs typically have no value, and are banned from disposal in landfills and incinerators due to the lead content contained within the glass.
If these are broken and disposed of improperly they can cause potential damage to the environment.
An additional challenge associated with recycling E-Waste is the varied number of components each item may consist of.
A standard computer could actually be made up of 30 plus different types of materials, such as 6-8 different grades of plastics, steel, aluminum, and many other metals.
Each item has to be disassembled into its basic materials to obtain the most value and make for efficient recycling.
There is much discussion regarding the export of whole computers, monitors, TVs, and other components.
Many countries accept this type of material only to find that the end "market" is not properly controlled or licensed.
This has resulted in improper dumping of low-grade components once the high value material is removed.
Lack of environmental controls in these operations also creates unsafe work conditions for employees.
There are many fully licensed and compliant companies located abroad that process E-Waste in an environmentally correct fashion, however, the end markets must be researched and approved prior to shipment.
Moreover, many of the best markets for E-Waste components may be in foreign countries due to low labor cost, where environmental compliance and working conditions are often compromised.
Make sure that you are using a recycling company that adhere strict environmental guidelines not only at their location, but also with any downstream vendors and consumers.
Also be sure that they adhere to a "no export" policy for intact computers, monitors, TVs, and components.
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