Why You Should Recycle Computers With Reputable Companies That Have A Zero Landfill Policy
How Zero Landfill Policy Benefits Your Business
Reputable recycling companies that adopt a zero landfill policy for electronic waste guarantee that your old computers and other devices are not disposed of in large public landfills. This practice helps protect the environment while also preventing sensitive data on your devices from potentially being accessed in the future.
Today, we are going to discuss the multiple benefits of recycling computers and other electronics with a reputable company that adheres to a zero landfill policy. Let’s begin with one of the largest benefits: protecting our environment.
Prevent Local Environmental Contamination
E-waste contains a variety of toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals and artificial chemicals. These substances can seep into soil and groundwater, and can also contaminate the air with dangerous fumes if they catch on fire.
When disposed of in landfills, these materials are not separated from the rest of the trash. Instead, they can become buried and compacted underneath other waste and easily forgotten.
A recycling company that specializes in e-waste possesses the necessary equipment to transport, separate, and adequately dispose of unwanted devices. Toxic components are safely removed while salvageable parts are prepared for recirculation into the supply chain.
Prevent Offshoring of E-Waste
Some disposal companies will offshore e-waste rather than recycle it in-house. This creates a harmful pipeline where potentially dangerous materials are sent to developing countries in large quantities, spreading further pollution to other parts of the world.
Look for a local, reputable e-waste recycling company that offers in-house recycling. These companies will limit the distance that your unwanted electronics travel and can hasten the disposal process.
Recirculate Valuable Manufacturing Materials
By its very nature, recycling involves salvaging usable materials that can be recirculated into a global, national, or regional supply chain. This helps reduce the strain on manufacturing companies looking to procure raw materials for new units.
Electronics often contain a wealth of reusable components that can be salvaged during recycling. These can include, but are not limited to:
Precious Metals
Metals like copper and gold are commonly used in wires and parts of computer chips. These materials offer incredible conductive properties and are far more cost-effective to source through recycled means.
Steel and Aluminum
Electronics manufacturers often use hard metals like steel and aluminum as casing materials to house other electronic components. These metals are easily recyclable and can quickly be reconverted into raw materials that manufacturers can repurpose for new products.
Semiconductors
Semiconductors are found in almost every type of consumer electronics. From automobiles to video game consoles, these components help power our daily lives.
Most semiconductors are manufactured overseas and require multiple materials to create a single unit. The speed at which these companies can produce new semiconductors can affect the global supply chain for businesses that rely on them for their own products. Fortunately, recycled semiconductors help cut down on the demand for new ones and can help lessen the impact of any shortages.
Glass
As with steel and aluminum, glass is one of the most common and easily recycled materials on the planet. Computer monitors, smartphone screens, and televisions all contain glass that can be extracted and repurposed for newer models.
Hard Plastic
Many electronics manufacturers will use hard plastics as a substitute for steel or aluminum casing. These materials can also be salvaged and reintroduced into the manufacturing supply pipeline.
Batteries
Each state in the U.S. contains different regulations for battery disposal. Most do not permit businesses or residents to throw them out with the rest of the trash. Instead, they should be recycled by a company that has the required equipment and credentials to safely process them.
Power Supplies
In most instances, power cables are manufactured to universal design and functional standards. These can be repurposed across multiple electronic devices, regardless of brand. Recycling them reduces the amount of metal and rubber in landfills while making them more widely available for consumers.
Ensure Complete Data Destruction
Data destruction involves more than emptying a computer’s trash bin or initiating a factory reset. Old electronics may still contain sensitive personal or professional information that could create unwanted consequences if obtained by someone else who knows how to extract this data.
Look for a recycling company that provides data destruction services, such as hard drive shredding, and can provide proof of completion. At ProTek, we supply our customers with a certificate that verifies their unwanted data storage devices have been obliterated entirely.
Make Electronics Recycling Easier for Your Business
As a business owner, you likely do not have much time to spend seeking out a recycling center, gathering your electronics, and transporting them yourself. A service-focused recycling company can offer on-site services such as bulk pickup and data destruction to save you time, effort, and other resources.
Get Zero Landfill Policy Electronics Recycling in New York and Boston Today
At ProTek Recycling, we offer zero landfill e-waste disposal for commercial businesses in the Albany, New York City, and Boston metropolitan areas. With full-service pickup, disposal, and data destruction we ensure that your unwanted devices are properly handled while protecting both our environment and your sensitive data.
To learn more about our drop-off centers or to request a pickup appointment, contact us online anytime.