Electronic waste is a growing problem which affects us all. Similar to many environmental issues, a social cost is created by the improper disposal of electronic waste, known as e-waste. E-waste that is not handled properly fills our landfills, increasing our solid waste stream. To decrease the negative effects of improper disposal, it is important for consumers and producers to take responsibility for disposal, doing our part to protect the earth for future generations to come.
California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 and subsequent amendments has banned monitors, printers, computers, televisions and other electronic items from landfills. In January 2005, an advanced recycling fee was implemented to help offset the costs of recycling e-waste.
Effects of e-waste in the landfills
When obsolete electronics are not disposed of properly and end up in the landfills, contaminates create environmental and health risks. Discarded electronics contain toxins such as barium, nickel, lead, mercury and cadmium, and these toxic materials can leak into our groundwater. Cathode ray tubes have been banned from landfills in California since March 2001 due to their high lead content. Exposure to lead can cause damage to the central nervous system and blood system, along with serious negative effects on the brain development of children.
Identity theft on the rise
Donating computers to a credible organization is an excellent way to promote reuse. If not properly handled, personal information could be extracted from your old hard drive. For maximum security protection, complete destruction of the drive is recommended. This is done by either drilling holes through the device, or, if you take your computer to a recycling facility that offers shredding, the drive can be reduced into three-fourths inch strips of reusable aluminum.
Important tips when choosing an electronics recycler:
1. Hard drive shredding on-site: It is very important for hard drives to be shredded on-site at the recycling facility. Recyclers who outsource this service may not be able to verify complete and proper destruction.
2. Video verification of destruction: Look for a recycler who can provide clients a secure log-in to an inner warehouse web cam, where data destruction of hard drives can be viewed and recorded via shredder cams, archived into a video library.
3. Certificates of assured destruction: Some recyclers provide certificates to clients that describe proper destruction, complying with government and industry standards.
4. Barcode tracking: To ensure proper tracking of e-waste, more sophisticated recycling facilities can offer barcode tracking to assist with accountability of processed materials.
5. Asset management and tracking: The recycler can provide services to assist with your record keeping.
6. Separation of e-waste: A recycler should have a method of separating e-waste components. Proper separation increases the economic value of the scrap commodities recovered from the electronic recycling process.
7. Business pick-up service: The recycler can provide pick-up and transportation of your old electronics.
For more information contact Sheree Tweddell, of E-World Recyclers at (760) 599-0888 or e-mail [email protected].
California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 and subsequent amendments has banned monitors, printers, computers, televisions and other electronic items from landfills. In January 2005, an advanced recycling fee was implemented to help offset the costs of recycling e-waste.
Effects of e-waste in the landfills
When obsolete electronics are not disposed of properly and end up in the landfills, contaminates create environmental and health risks. Discarded electronics contain toxins such as barium, nickel, lead, mercury and cadmium, and these toxic materials can leak into our groundwater. Cathode ray tubes have been banned from landfills in California since March 2001 due to their high lead content. Exposure to lead can cause damage to the central nervous system and blood system, along with serious negative effects on the brain development of children.
Identity theft on the rise
Donating computers to a credible organization is an excellent way to promote reuse. If not properly handled, personal information could be extracted from your old hard drive. For maximum security protection, complete destruction of the drive is recommended. This is done by either drilling holes through the device, or, if you take your computer to a recycling facility that offers shredding, the drive can be reduced into three-fourths inch strips of reusable aluminum.
Important tips when choosing an electronics recycler:
1. Hard drive shredding on-site: It is very important for hard drives to be shredded on-site at the recycling facility. Recyclers who outsource this service may not be able to verify complete and proper destruction.
2. Video verification of destruction: Look for a recycler who can provide clients a secure log-in to an inner warehouse web cam, where data destruction of hard drives can be viewed and recorded via shredder cams, archived into a video library.
3. Certificates of assured destruction: Some recyclers provide certificates to clients that describe proper destruction, complying with government and industry standards.
4. Barcode tracking: To ensure proper tracking of e-waste, more sophisticated recycling facilities can offer barcode tracking to assist with accountability of processed materials.
5. Asset management and tracking: The recycler can provide services to assist with your record keeping.
6. Separation of e-waste: A recycler should have a method of separating e-waste components. Proper separation increases the economic value of the scrap commodities recovered from the electronic recycling process.
7. Business pick-up service: The recycler can provide pick-up and transportation of your old electronics.
For more information contact Sheree Tweddell, of E-World Recyclers at (760) 599-0888 or e-mail [email protected].