Technology continues to improve with better and faster electronic models that are continuously released. If you are keeping up with the latest technology, you likely have old printers, computers or phones sitting around that you do not know what to do with. The yearly worldwide accumulation of electronic waste had reached over 50 million tons. When you recycle your device, you are getting rid of them in a safe manner that allows the parts to be reused. There are many benefits to recycling your old, outdated electronics.
Benefits of Electronic Recycling
Data Destruction
To eliminate the risks of someone recovering data from your personal or business computer or device, it is important to physically destroy all hard drives, PDAs, cell phones, tapes, tablets, RAM, ROM and more. One of the first steps to recycling your electronics is to ensure all data has been destroyed. At Desert Computer Solutions, when recycling your electronics, all data is destroyed in accordance with Department of Defense standards. A Certificate of Data Destruction is provided to all clients upon request. The certificate includes a complete list of serial numbers, make, model and date of destruction for all media.
Reduce Waste & Pollution
Every year, millions of electronic waste is dumped into landfills. Just one older computer monitor could contain upwards of four pounds of lead and other toxins. Recycling raw materials from e-waste conserves natural resources and avoids pollution. Nearly 100 percent of electronic waste is recyclable. There are plastics, glass, metal, copper and even gold parts that can be recovered and reused. According to the EPA, recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 US homes in a year. Also, for every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.
Properly Dispose of Hazardous Materials
One of the main reasons residents or businesses should consider properly disposing of electronics is to minimize the amount of harmful waste they can produce. Many electronics carry metals such as mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and lead. If your electronics are disposed improperly, these materials can seep into the soil and water. While they don’t pose a threat while they are sitting in your home or office, they may cause issues once in a landfill.
Are you in the process of buying a new computer, phone or printer or just have an old device sitting around? Contact Desert Computer Solutions today at 602-295-5918 to properly dispose of your old electronics or learn more about our electronic recycling here.