E-Waste Disposal: What You Need to Know

According to the UNU-IAS Global E-Waste Monitor, 41.8 million metric tons of e-waste was generated on a global scale in 2014, a number predicted to rise to nearby 50 million by 2018. Only a portion of this mountain of equipment and electronics gets recycled, while the rest is sent to landfills. This is unfortunate because so many components used to make computers, laptops, smartphones, and other electronics can be reused or recycled, significantly reducing waste.

As a responsible North Dakota business owner, you not only want to do your part to protect the environment with sound ITAD practices that include recycling, but you naturally want to remain in compliance with all applicable laws that affect your business. When you work with an ITAD service provider that includes recycling practices, you have the best opportunity to accomplish both goals. Here are a few reasons why finding a suitable recycling partner is in your best interest.

Preserve Natural Resources
While it’s not possible to recycle every part of most electronic devices, many components can be reused and recycled when equipment is broken down. For example, there are several different types of metals commonly found in electronics, such as gold, silver, platinum, copper, palladium, nickel, and more. In some cases, entire parts like monitor screens can be reused in new devices.

Recycling these components reduces waste going to the landfill, but also decreases the need for new mining and manufacturing, saving energy and resources all around. This is all good news for the environment.

Comply with Environmental Standards
The internet and wireless revolutions have led to a massive uptick in device manufacturing and turnover. Although laws designed to protect the environment have not exactly kept pace, they’re slowly catching up.

As a business owner, you must follow all kinds of rules and regulations governing your operations, and this includes meeting current and expanding environmental standards for e-waste recycling. With the right ITAD service provider on your side, especially one that submits to oversight by eStewards and other regulatory bodies, you’ll have no trouble complying with any applicable environmental laws.

Downstream Responsibility
Recycling is a lengthy and complicated process, one that only begins with your ITAD service provider. Parts must go through several steps to be reused or repurposed, which means they could pass through the hands of a variety of different downstream vendors before the process is complete. You’ll want to choose an ITAD partner that fully vets their downstream vendors to ensure they’re properly licensed, insured, permitted, and audited to meet standards for environmentally responsible operations.

Community Support
You want to support the community you operate in just as they support you, and sound recycling practices can help you to do this, not only by creating a cleaner environment, but also by creating new opportunities within the community. For example, you could wipe and refurbish old electronics to donate to community organizations in need. If you recycled locally, you also help to create jobs.

If your North Dakota business is looking for reasons to recycle as part of your ITAD strategy, contact the qualified professionals at SEAM today at 605-274-7326 (SEAM) or online to get started.