R2 Recycling Discusses Ringing in the New Year with Modern Electronics and How To Practice Proper Electronics Recycling

If you received new electronics this holiday season, congratulations! Electronics are one of the most popular gifts to receive. If you got a new electronic device or an extra set of headphones for your tablet, why not take the opportunity to get rid of the ones that have been sitting in your closet? E-waste recycling is important to prevent devices from ending up (often illegally) in landfills, which are already quickly becoming packed to capacity. Reliable data destruction is imperative as well since you don’t want your personal information ending up in the hands of scavengers. R2 Recycling, located in Fort Washington, PA and serving the contiguous United States, reminds us that electronic waste is a rising problem in many industrialized countries, and the U.S. is no exception.

When electronics are disposed of improperly, they can present a threat to the health of all forms of life due to the toxic components of electronics leaking into the soil & water from exposure to extreme weather conditions. Many don't think about the chemicals their electronics contain that can make them dangerous if disposed of incorrectly. R2 Recycling advises us that many older electronic items contain lead and mercury. If electronics aren't properly recycled, these chemicals can seep into the groundwater and affect aquatic life and humans who drink from well systems.

What is E-Waste?

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is defined as waste from any device that uses some form of electric power. Electronics are made up of many components and materials that can be reused or recycled. These include LCD screens, precious metals like gold or platinum that processors can melt down to reuse in jewelry or other devices, aluminum frames, copper wiring, and motherboards.

Electronic items are typically divided into one of five categories based on what they're comprised of: CRTs (cathode ray tubes), laptops & notebooks, monitors & flat-screen TVs, mobile phones & cellphones, and printers. When technology is updated, old electronic devices are often left behind without a purpose. This creates large stockpiles that either end up sitting in attics or basements, or disposed of in landfills (often illegally). R2 Recycling has been in the electronics recycling business for over 20 years, providing businesses, schools & organizations with reliable service and secure data destruction since day one.

According to some estimates, roughly 80% of all consumer electronic items are merely disposed of in a way that shows little regard for environmental concerns or the sensitive data stored on the hard drives. R2 Recycling believes that the vast majority of these devices will end up in a landfill or incinerated, which releases potentially harmful chemicals into the air, soil or water supply.

Environmental Impacts of E-Waste

Electronic waste is linked to more than 70% of heavy metals in landfills. These metals are toxic and hazardous to humans, plants, and animals alike. Coming into contact with these potentially harmful metals can affect the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, brain, and other bodily systems. Exposure over time can lead to cancer or other diseases that shorten life expectancy.

E-waste contains many dangerous chemicals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic. When these items aren't recycled properly, they will seep out into the soil or leak into nearby rivers or groundwater, which jeopardizes wildlife who live there and the people who use them for drinking water.

How to Responsibly Dispose of Old Electronics

Make sure you have a recycling plan in lieu of improper disposal of your old electronics. When in doubt, you can't go wrong with an experienced recycler like R2 Recycling which provides the peace of mind that comes with proper electronics & computer along with professional data destruction (US Department of Defense wipes and/or physical destruction of hard drives).

Computer Recycling: The Safest Method for Moving Your Electronics Out

When you use R2 Recycling, you'll know that you're using an e-waste recycler that is properly licensed to perform electronics, smartphone & laptop recycling. Their reliable, time tested approach to recycling reduces pollution, energy costs, and greenhouse gas emissions. R2 Recycling's commitment to your data security means that all data stored on hard drives will be destroyed via US Department of Defense (DOD) standard wipe or physical destruction of the drives. Best of all, R2 Recycling has made their approach accessible to all by partnering with recyclers all across the nation that follow the R2 standard.

Final Thoughts

Electronics are a big part of our everyday lives, but these devices need responsible disposal when they're no longer in use. By knowing how to engage in proper computer & television recycling, you're helping keep potentially hazardous materials from polluting landfills and waterways while also avoiding any health-related issues that could come from improper e-waste disposal. To obtain a quote for service, please visit R2 Recycling online.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes