How R2 Recycling Is Championing the Cause of E-Waste Management
E-waste, short of electronic waste, is becoming a large problem for many societies. 50 million tons of e-waste is produced globally each year. Of that 50 million, only about a fifth is recycled, even though most electronics contain valuable materials like gold and copper.
Environmental and health issues for both humans and animals can be traced back to improper or incomplete disposal of electronics. Recyclers in foreign countries can also experience health issues due to an increase in toxins released from e-waste shipped from other parts of the world.
Many electronics are recycled and processed by companies that do not properly handle toxins produced or personal information found on many recycled goods. More often than not, companies will ship e-waste overseas to have the valuable parts removed with little concern about the safety of workers or the environmental impact of doing so incorrectly.
Many counties, like China, have actually halted shipments of e-waste from other places around the globe and are only processing e-waste that is produced within their borders. This is due to the fact that organizations in other countries are overwhelmingly shipping waste that they want stripped for cheaper without regard for safety and ecological damage.
Thus it is imperative that American companies rise up and help solve the issues around improper recycling of electronic goods. Organizations like R2 Recycling not only ensure that e-waste is handled in a way that minimizes toxin exposure and environmental issues, but also protects sensitive information that is often stored on recycled technology.
R2 Recycling describes why high quality technology recycling is paramount to communities and companies when it comes to minimizing their environmental impact.
The Impact of Electronics Recycling
Only about a third of all electronics disposed of in the United States are recycled, according to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. The remainder often lands up in an incinerator, landfill, or piled in people’s homes.
Recycling rates have been rising in the past few years, but the problem of excess e-waste still persists. One of the easiest solutions is to reduce the amount of new building materials that need to be mined by refurbishing or reusing old electronics.
Methods of Electronics Recycling
Effectively recycling technology is a complex process. Companies like R2 Recycling are able to remove valuable, reusable materials from the goods that land in their care. Their processes minimize the effect they have on the environment and the health of their employees. Furthermore, they are committed to customer data security and preventing others from being able to access information stored on recycled electronics.
The initial phase of e-waste recycling is sorting and separating materials by hand. This step is performed by an experienced recycler to ensure proper categorization of all materials and identifying potential hazards.The next step is the shredding of materials. R2 Recycling has purchased a new shredder to offer an added layer of security. Next is magnetic removal of metals from. The fourth and final step is the separation of materials by water.
Only when technology is broken down into its most basic elements, can one be assured that all data and information is destroyed.
Data Security
It is often forgotten by homeowners and businesses that their data can be retrieved from electronics that they have discarded. This is especially important as we use technology for almost all aspects of our daily life, from banking, to contacts, to personal information.
It is a common misconception that wiping a hard drive will permanently delete all information on it. It is possible that an experienced computer user may be able to retrieve and gain access to previously deleted data. This could potentially be very harmful, as this could lead to an infringement of privacy, financials, and business information.
Companies like R2 Recycling ensure data protection through various means. Businesses and individuals trust them because they can rest assured that their data will be effectively destroyed and their electronics will be properly recycled.
Accessing Electronics Recycling Services
The average homeowner may have a difficult time recycling their electronics. R2 Recycling has made recycling accessible by providing cities and towns with recycling containers where residents can simply drop off their old technology. These containers are weather resistant and secure, so residents can confidently drop off old TVs, computers, and other electronics. Using these containers helps towns reduce how much they are putting into landfills or incinerators.
Making A Difference Using Recycling
Human and environmental health can be greatly improved by keeping electronic waste out of the regular waste stream. Technology tends to have toxic materials, which means they should be handled and recycled with care.
During the pandemic, many homeowners and businesses are using their time to clean out old or redundant items. Ensuring that electronics are disposed of with credible recyclers like R2 Recycling is a great step towards a healthier planet. Proper electronic recycling is important to maintain human, animal, and plant well being.
