Goals With Computer Equipment Recycling
Advancing Environmental Goals with Computer Equipment Recycling
When computers reach the end of their life cycle, they may be sold to second hand buyers or donated to charities. Unfortunately, a large percentage of this e-waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, releasing toxic materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium into the soil and groundwater, which have adverse effects on human health. Fortunately, a growing number of companies and individuals are recycling their old computers and electronic devices. The following are some of the benefits of computer equipment recycling, including the creation of sustainable jobs, reduced reliance on natural resources, and less waste pollution.
Computers contain many different types of metal, glass, and plastic, which can all be recycled. The computer equipment recycling near me materials can then be used to manufacture new computers, cutting back on the need for new raw materials. This helps to limit the amount of energy that is needed for mining, which is a major contributor to global warming. In addition, it reduces the amount of chemicals that are used to make new devices, which can have harmful effects on human health.
Currently, only about 20 percent of the electronic waste produced is collected and recycled. The remainder is either dumped in landfills or incinerated, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment and polluting the air. Removing just one million laptops from landfills would cut back on the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to 530 pounds of fossil fuel, and saving enough water to fill four swimming pools.
Advancing Environmental Goals With Computer Equipment Recycling
When a computer is recycled, the first step is to remove all hazardous materials such as batteries, toner/ink from printers, cathode ray tubes found in monitors that contain lead and mercury, and other contaminants. Once the hazards are removed, the e-waste is fed into a large industrial shredder and is separated into various item types.
From there, each component is tested for reuse and/or recycling. If a computer can be used again, it is sent to charity or refurbished for use by businesses, schools, and low-income families. It is important to note that computers that are still in working condition can be very useful to these groups, since they often have no other means of obtaining technology.
Computer recycling also creates jobs for people who specialize in repairing and refurbishing electronics as well as for those who oversee the whole process of e-waste recycling, which is done on both a local and national scale. In addition, this process cuts down on the need to import raw materials from other countries, which can save on transportation costs and other related expenses. In fact, according to the Department of Commerce, the e-waste industry supports between 100,000 and 200,000 jobs in the United States.
This is a substantial number of jobs for an industry that is rapidly expanding. The need for these workers will only increase as the demand for electronics grows, so embracing computer recycling is a wise business decision. This will also help to alleviate poverty in the developing world, where many are unable to afford to purchase their own computer equipment.
