How recycling electronics can help preserve our future

Since I have started in business I have struggled with figuring out who and what my competition is and to develop strategies to compete against them.  I am finding that my biggest competition comes from the very customers that I am seeking to do business with.   I can say this because no one seems to know what to do with their old electronics other than throw them in the trash.  All of these obsolete, broken and discarded electronics are creating a real environmental problem.  So the biggest challenge I am currently facing is letting people know why it is important to recycle electronics, and not simply throw them in the trash.

Electronics are made up of metals, which are recyclable. Taking apart end-of-life electronics such as computers, and recycling the various materials in them promotes the conservation of undamaged natural resources. Also, it helps prevent water and air pollution that is brought about by improper disposal. It also helps in reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced as a result of the manufacture of new electronics.

Having an obsolete computer or any other old electronics in the house is a common feature in many homes in the U.S. Millions of tons of used electronics such as televisions and computers are disposed of annually. This is why it is so important to educate people about the benefits of electronics recycling.

Electronics Recycling Conserves Natural Resources

Most of the metals on a circuit board can be recovered in the refining process. Because of this, there is less of a need to mine untapped natural resources.  Most of these recovered metals can be reused almost an infinite amount of times, which is very important considering how we treat our environment as well as considering the socio-economic climate in the countries some of these metals are mined in.

Electronics Recycling Supports the Community

Donating your old electronics plays an important role in job creation. Breaking apart electronics is a labor-intensive process and requires multiple workers to become efficient.  It also helps to provide awareness to a growing problem in the form of E-waste by spreading the message to the local community.  As a result of the awareness created, the demand for responsible electronics recycling increases and the local industry is forced to grow and hire as a result of the increased demand.

Electronics Recycling Helps Protect Public Health and the Environment

Many electronics have toxic or hazardous materials such as mercury and lead, which can be harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly. Reusing and recycling electronics safely helps in keeping the hazardous materials from harming humans or the environment. For example, old cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and computer monitors are hazardous since they have lead in them. These CRT’s are a huge problem since they are costly to dispose of properly. Think of Flint, Michigan, no one wants those lead problems in their backyard.  Printed circuit boards also contain harmful materials such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and chromium. Computer batteries and other electronics may contain hazardous materials such as cadmium, mercury, and lead.

Next time you have old computers or electronics you need to dispose of, don’t throw them in the trash.  Find a company like Sensible Recycling that will come and pick up your old electronics and responsibly recycle them.