by admin | December 21, 2011 | In Computer Recycling | No Comments
Why Recycle?
Each year over 50 million computers and monitors end up in landfills. This is not harmless dumping. These items contain large amounts of toxic chemicals, including lead and mercury, both harmful to the environment. However, electronics can still serve a purpose if recycled properly. With so many options available for recycling, it is troubling that the amount of e-waste grows each year. There are many reasons to recycle your old electronics, including legal reasons, financial reasons, practicalities, and concern for the environment.
Legal
In the past decade, federal and state governments have made many efforts to regulate the recycling of electronics. The federal government has updated the parameters put forth by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). While households are typically exempt from these classifications, businesses and organizations must comply.
Under this RCRA, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) is set at a maximum of 5mg/l. Anything higher is deemed as toxic waste and must be recycled properly and documented. Keep in mind that the average color monitor contains about 18.5mg/l of lead. Those who violate this act face heavy penalties.
Recycling programs such as the one by XM Bytes are less costly to maintain than incineration, dumping, and general waste collection. Additionally, every job is important. Recycling facilities employ thousands and thousands of recycle technicians. More jobs are created per ton of recycling than if it was sent to the dump. This means not exporting waste overseas or simply sending it right back to landfills.
Environment
Our country’s landfills are slowly expanding, costing both money on controversial new land-fill sites and precious environmental resources. Efforts made by government organizations, environmental protection groups, and concerned citizens have helped reverse this growth. Without these valiant efforts, the United States will lose countless more acres of land to soil erosion, destroy natural habits, and lose biodiversity.
Additionally, the use of recycled products in manufacturing creates less pollution than if you were to use fresh materials again. Landfills also produce roughly 34% of greenhouse gas emissions. This includes methane emission, which is incredibly potent, even more so than carbon dioxide.
Recycle Responsibly
In the end, if you choose to recycle, it is important to find a reputable company. It would be unfortunate to contract a recycling company, only to find out that they had the items shipped overseas or sent to a land-fill.
