Benefits of Recycling
In the year 2021 high-quality technologies are more accessible than ever. It seems that just about every family has at least one smartphone, if not more. As these technologies have crept into the mainstream and daily life of everyday people, there is a higher demand for newer, faster, and better gadgets. To meet those demands, companies are pumping out new tech every other day. While these new technologies are exciting and make life easier, we don’t often think about what happens to the older models we have replaced. Landfills are full to the brim with waste from outdated tech that isn’t biodegradable. Rather than letting those old gadgets gather dust in a box on the top shelf of our closets, let’s remember, e-waste can be recycled.
Here are the top 3 benefits of electronics recycling:
- Cleaner Environment
When electronics are improperly disposed of, both heavy metals and flame retardants can seep directly into the soil, causing contamination of underlying groundwater or contamination of crops that may be planted nearby. After soil contamination, heavy metals, such as mercury, lithium, lead, and barium, can seep into the earth until it reaches groundwater. These toxins then make their way into ponds, streams, rivers, and lakes resulting in unsafe water for animals, plants, and communities even if they are miles away from a recycling site. Contamination can also occur in the air when electronics are informally disposed of by dismantling, shredding, or melting the materials, releasing dust particles or toxins, such as dioxins, into the environment that cause air pollution and damage respiratory health. Recycling the waste from electronics correctly with ProTek Recycling, saves space in the landfills and prevents the environmental pollution caused by the toxins, and reduces the need for landfills in the first place.
- Reuse of resources
Electronics contain a lot of components that can be re-utilized sometimes without any processing. Creating products with these recycled materials takes less water, creates less pollution, and uses less energy than manufacturing components from scratch. For that reason, recycled materials also reduce production costs.
By partnering with ProTek Recycling companies are able to save some money and help protect the environment and the health of their community.
- Recycling is good for the economy
E-waste businesses like ProTek Recycling provide employment and generate revenue that stimulates the economy. According to a research study by Facts and Factors, “The global E-Waste Management Market was estimated at USD 3.6 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 13.3 billion by 2026.” Article titled “E-Waste Management Market by Material Recovery (Plastic, Metals, Glass, PCBs, Ceramics, Wood, Others), By Source Type (Household Appliances, Entertainment, and Consumer Electronics, IT & Telecommunications and Others): Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2018 – 2024.” Additionally, using recycled materials reduces production costs for companies making it more affordable to create quality products.
Contact ProTek Recycling
Taking the steps to reduce and even eliminate electronic waste from your company is worth it and with ProTek Recycling, it’s easy too. Contact us to get your free quote today!