How Businesses Can Look to Dispose of Computers and Electronics
Recycling old computers and electronics is more than a responsible thing to do. In many states, eWaste is applied by law. Electronic equipment contains gases that may cause environmental problems, and precious metals that can be efficiently recycled. When your eWaste is being processed through a facility such as Chicago Electronics Recycling, the end result is a healthier environment and returning expensive natural elements to the manufacturing market.
What is the Law?In Illinois, a wide variety of electronic equipment is now banned from landfills, and the law says that you are expected to recycle accordingly. Businesses and end-consumers alike must contact authorized recycling centers to dispose of their old equipment. The full details of the law, which went into effect on January 1, 2012, is available on the Illinois EPA website, and includes all computers, cell phones, televisions and a wide variety of electronics equipment. For businesses, the list includes Fax machines, scanners and servers. If your company has electronic equipment which is nearing the end of its projected life cycle, recycling arrangements should, by law, be part of your upgrade path.
Recycling and Sensitive DataBecause most businesses store private data, including credit card information and personal information on customers and company operations, simply handing over your old computer is a frightening thought. Chicago Electronics Recycling will “punch” hard drives on location, rendering them useless.
According to a paper published by Columbia University titled, “The Future of Electronic Waste Recycling in the United States: Obstacles and Domestic Solutions,” the United States does not currently have the smelting and recycling infrastructure required to process the country’s eWaste. For that reason, a majority of the electronics recycled in this country are shipped overseas to countries such as India or China, where it can be properly recycled. As eWaste recycling becomes more commonly accepted in the U.S., some or all of those processes will be done domestically, allowing the recycled products to be remanufactured on American soil. With a little planning, you can choose a company which is already retaining as much of our waste resources as possible.
Electronics Recycling in ChicagolandBefore you call a recycler in the Chicagoland area, take a few minutes to find out what is available and who can provide legitimate recycling services. True recycling companies like ours will stand behind your privacy by providing you with certificates that explain the services received. Companies like ours are accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and properly licensed and authorized by the EPA and the Illinois Bureau of Land Services. Recycling eWaste is important, and every company has to do its part. As explained in detail in Tulane University’s paper, “Recycling eWaste,” recycling electronics will reduce the fastest growing segment of American waste products, and make vital components of electronics devices available for reuse in future devices.
Think Twice About RefurbishedMany people associate refurbished and used electronics as lower quality. It’s been a common misconception that refurbished means broken, with parts replaced, to make it new again. This is just all wrong. While there are some bad businesses out there, there are some companies that sell refurbished servers, motherboards, hard drives and more, that come directly from the manufacturer, as surplus stock. Purchasing products like these helps the environment, by decreasing the amount of waste and energy needed to build electronics while saving on major costs for businesses. Explore your options when upgrading your computer components for your business and trust in companies like Chicago Computer Electronics Recycling to pick up your load and take care of the rest, knowing your old equipment is in safe, secure hands.
