Some Basics About E-Waste Management and the Electronic Recycling Process
September 6, 2023
This blog entry is intended as a basic introduction to e-waste management or electronic waste and why it should be recycled instead of disposed of. Q&As include:
1. What is e-waste?
2. How is e-waste classified?
3. Why is e-waste potentially hazardous?
4. What is the e-waste recycling process for large quantaties of waste?
5. Why should you donate or recycle electronics?
6. Where can you donate or recycle e-waste?
7. What is a certified electronics recycler?
8. Can you recycle CRT monitors or television sets?
9. How should you prepare old electronics for recycling?
10. Where can you find help and advice for recycling unwanted electronics and e-recycling centers near me?
1. What is e-waste?
“E-waste” is the handle typically applied to end-of-life electronics such as out-of-fashion cell phones, geriatric computers, and kaput stereos—not to mention that humongous CRT monitor languishing in the darkest corner of your garage. Nevertheless, the EPA is at pains to remind you that it considers e-waste a “subset of used electronics” that should be reused, refurbished, or recycled to minimize waste (see source).
2. How is e-waste classified?
E-waste is classified into four categories:
Category 1 includes large household appliances. E.g., refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, air conditioners.
Category 2 includes smaller household appliances. E.g., vacuum cleaners, toasters, microwave ovens.
Category 3 includes telecommunication devices. E.g., computers, phones, laptops, tablets.
Category 4 includes electronics. E.g., televisions, computer monitors, audio equipment, video cameras.
3. Why is e-waste potentially hazardous?
E-waste hazards are rife with the stuff of Mr. Yuk’s worst nightmares. E.g., brominated flame retardants, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc—only to name a few. Old CRT monitors and TV sets typically contain about four pounds of lead each (see source). Thus, it’s better to reuse or recycle e-waste than to let its constituent metals and chemicals wind up in an unprotected dump site.
4. What is the e-waste recycling process for large quantities of waste?
For commercial, industrial, or large quantities of e-waste, the EPA recommends engaging a certified electronics recycler who understands the electronic recycling process whose services typically include data security and asset management (see Q.7).
You can get the best expert advice here.
For households with smaller amounts of used electronics to donate or recycle, there are online resources that can help you find drop-off points for e-waste collection (see Q.6).
5. Why should you donate or recycle electronics?
Electronic products are made from wholly recyclable metals, plastics, glass, and other materials that require energy to mine and manufacture. Thus, donating or recycling consumer electronics (instead of disposal) conserves resources and lessens air and water pollution.
The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that recycling one million laptops saves the equivalent amount of electricity used by 3,500+ homes in a year. For every one million cell phones recycled, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium are recovered (see source).
Instead of tossing an old laptop, consider having it revitalized with new software.
6. Where can you donate or recycle e-waste?
Manufacturers and retailers of electronic products are typically required to facilitate their recycling or disposal at end-of-life. You can find drop-off points by consulting one of these websites:
7. What is a certified electronics recycler?
A certified electronics recycler has demonstrated to an accredited, independent third-party auditor that it meets specific standards specified by the EPA for the safe recycling and e-waste management of end-of-life electronics. There are currently two EPA standards at play:
Ostensibly, certified electronics recyclers have demonstrated through audits and other means that they meet specific EPA environmental impact of e-waste standards and will continue to do so thanks to “continual oversight by the independent accredited certifying body…” (see source).
8. Can you recycle CRT monitors or television sets?
One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure. Want proof? Your grandmother’s CRT TV is a hot commodity in the world of retro video gaming. Ditto for CRT monitors (see source). Consider:
As of this writing, there’s a 22-inch Mitsubishi Diamond Pro CRT monitor available for only $9,000 on eBay (circa 2002). If that’s too rich for your blood, consider the Sony 21-inch Trinitron CRT monitor (circa 1998) on sale for only $799.99. Others are available well below $500. Bid now. Don’t let them get away!
9. How should you prepare old electronics for recycling?
First and foremost, remove any batteries from your e-waste.
Lithium-ion batteries—ubiquitous in electronics—tend to catch fire when compressed (as in a garbage truck), so they should not be placed in household garbage or recycling bins. Instead, they should be recycled at a certified electronics recycler that accepts batteries (see Q.7) (see source).
You will also want to delete all personal information from your electronics. E.g., passwords for social media, e-retailers, bank accounts, etc.
10. Where can you find help and advice for recycling unwanted electronics and e-recycling centers near me?
If you are looking for companies that recycle electronics, Hazardous Waste Experts is your one-stop shop for reliable, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient recycling of unwanted computers, laptops, monitors, televisions, cellular phones, and other e-waste. We offer a long and documentable history of providing safe, efficient, and compliant guidance for the disposal and recycling of all kinds of hazardous and universal wastes—waste management electronics recycling, and electronic recycling programs.
Contact us today. Or call 877.200.2029.