Electronics Recycling: What You Should and Shouldn’t Recycle
Electronics recycling is the ideal option for individuals and companies looking to dispose of their unwanted electronics in an environmentally responsible manner. Nevertheless, not all outdated machinery can be recycled and reused without risk.
The Definition of Electronic Waste
E-waste refers to any obsolete electronic product for personal or business use. The difficulty with this term is that it may describe any outdated technological device. That makes it harder for people and organizations to know how to properly dispose of their electronic garbage.
In some cases, e-waste disposal might be particularly risky. The condition and concentration of elements in some electronic components can make those products dangerous. Mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, barium, and lithium are all found in some materials.
The human nervous, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, and skeletal systems are all vulnerable to injury from these toxic substances.
The Importance of Recycling Used Electronics
Some minerals extracted from the ground and used in electrical device production are mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, indium, lithium, cobalt, copper, and aluminum. There is a risk that these metals will seep into the groundwater supply if dumped in a landfill or an unguarded waste facility instead of a recycling center.
Toxic substances aside, recycling used goods and materials is crucial for energy conservation. Not to mention, every electrical device dumped in a landfill was once valuable for something else.
The Dangers of Not Recycling Electronic Waste
Unfortunately, the harmful impacts on the environment differ from those on people. Failure to properly dispose of electronic trash can have far-reaching consequences for all forms of life on Earth. The most common manifestations of the resulting problems are:
- Air Pollution
Incinerators are an alternative to landfills for disposing of electronic trash when recycling is not an option. Because of this, chemicals like flame retardants found in e-waste can be released into the air and have a devastating effect on the ecosystem.
The results harm all forms of life, perhaps causing contamination and sickness. It prevents the substance from leaching into the soil and water, yet it has far-reaching and destructive effects on the natural world.
- Contamination of Groundwater
Electronic garbage can contaminate groundwater like it would contaminate soil if left there. Some water in rivers, lakes, and ponds originates in the ground. As a result of contamination, heavy metals like lead and cadmium can seep into the groundwater supply. The contamination spreads through the ecosystem and ends up in the fish and water.
- Compromised Soil Quality
The specific electronic device is constructed from non-biodegradable materials, making its disposal in landfills a potentially millennia-long process. When a piece of electronic garbage is buried or dumped in the ground, the same toxic chemicals and compounds might seep into the ground.
The spread of this tainted soil might have devastating effects on native flora, fauna, and agricultural products. Since we rely on agriculture and local wildlife for sustenance, this has negative consequences.
Electronics that You Can Recycle
Recycling most domestic electrical gadgets prevent them from clogging landfills and leaking harmful substances. The six most common electronic waste streams should always be recycled.
- Smartphones
The typical smartphone only lasts for about two and a half years. But their parts will continue to have value long after that. Cell phone plastic may be melted down and recycled.
The precious metals can be recycled into new phone circuit boards. You can also dispose of your old iPod, mp3 player, and camera simultaneously as your old smartphone.
- Computers
Don’t just toss away your old computer when you get a new one; think about what you could do with it first. Almost every computer component is recyclable, though experts should dispose of the battery.
- LEDs and Incandescent
If handled by a licensed electronics recycler, light bulbs can be disassembled and reused. If you recycle at home, never throw away a light bulb.
- Equipment for Computers
Anything that has ever been hooked into or connected to your computer can be recycled. Everything from the printer and ink cartridges to the mouse and keyboard.
- Game Machines
Just upgraded to the newest console and don’t know what to do with the old one. Metals and polymers from used game consoles and their peripherals can be recycled and put to new uses. Rather than letting them end up in landfills, obsolete headsets, controllers, and games can be recycled into new products.
- Batteries
Although specific guidelines exist for disposing of certain battery types, most intact batteries can be recycled at e-waste recycling sites.
Electronics that You Can’t Recycle
Despite being uncommon, some electronic waste is occasionally rejected during recycling. The following are a few instances of the electrical device kinds that are typically disregarded:
- Flat-panel liquid-crystal-display TVs
- flat-panel liquid-crystal displays
- Mercury-laden older TVs
- TVs with cathode ray tubes as their primary display medium
Electronics containing mercury and lead are not recyclable and are considered hazardous waste. While it’s true that no reputable electronics recycler would take dangerous waste, you shouldn’t worry that your hazardous e-waste will end up polluting a landfill.
Toxins in hazardous trash are burned up in incinerators, or the debris is put in a specially-designed landfill section where it decomposes without polluting the air or water.
