Recycling IT Equipment
Computers, mobile phones, laptops and other Information Technology devices are made from various materials including plastic, metallic and parts made from minerals and exhaustible natural resources. At the end of the useful life of these devices, it is recommended that you recycle them. But how do you go about the recycling process and what is the importance of recycling electronic devices in general?
More information on IT recycling
Take back programs
Some manufacturers have instituted take back programs where clients can return older versions of devices, those that are broken down or obsolete. In exchange, clients are asked to top up some money and given an advanced version of the device. These programs are popular with mobile phones, laptops and computers. The devices are subsequently broken down to their constituents components and utilised to make new devices or recycled.
IT recycling centres
Given the capital intensity of the recycling process, there are only a few companies that are engaged in recycling IT and electronic devices. However, there are many players offering collection and sorting services. You ought to identify organisations offering these services in your area in order to deliver all IT devices that are no longer in use for recycling purposes. These centres have the knowledge and skills to deal with a wide variety of electronic devices irrespective of the manufacturer or type of device.
Importance of IT recycling
Recycling is important in preserving the environment as it prevents hazardous waste products from polluting the air we breathe, water and soil which could be detrimental to human, animal and plant life. This hazardous waste may include heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and carcinogens which can lead to a multitude of diseases among human beings and animals.
Recycling is a great way to put all the non-renewable resources used in the manufacture of various devices into optimal use. Given the high uptake of electronic devices all over the world, the non-renewable raw materials will eventually get exhausted. This can be avoided by recycling these raw materials and preserving the unexplored materials for future use.
Landfills are usually an eye sore in any city. You can contribute to the reduction of items dumped in these landfills by recycling your electronic devices. Besides when these computers are burned, the toxins produced harm the ozone layer and may result in respiratory problems to those exposed to these toxins.
Recycling electronic devices is a great way to comply with the environmental laws in your state. Non compliance can attract hefty fines and jail time. With respect to organisations, clients prefer engaging companies that are fully compliant with laws to prevent unforeseen and unwarranted disruption of service provision due to legal issues resulting from non compliance.
Through the use of recycled materials in the manufacture of electronic devices, the manufacturers can reduce the cost of production and subsequently the prices of the devices. This makes electronic devices affordable and accessible to a greater portion of the population. In addition to this, the recycling process contributes to increase of jobs in the economy and subsequently improves livelihoods for many families.