Whether you are looking to recycle your old electronics or are thinking of buying a new electronic device, it is important to know how to dispose of your electronics properly. Recycling your old electronics is a great way to protect the environment and ensure your electronics are properly recycled. If you are not sure how to recycle your old electronics, there are several options available over here. These include Comprenew and eLot Recycling. Both of these companies are based in the United States and provide nationwide recycling services.
Electronics are not designed for recycling

Despite the many benefits of electronic recycling, it's not a cost-effective or sustainable solution for all e-waste. Some materials are regulated as hazardous waste and cannot be recycled in a landfill.

In addition, the recycling process is often time-intensive, as the items need to be dismantled and sorted. Electronics may also contain toxic materials such as mercury, lead and polyvinyl chloride. These materials pose risks to humans and the environment.

Luckily, there are ways to reduce the amount of e-waste going into landfills. Some manufacturers offer return programs, while other retailers sponsor recycling events.

Electronics can also be donated to nonprofit organizations for reuse in local schools. Businesses that donate computer equipment can claim tax benefits. This type of recycling can reduce overall need for disposal.

In addition to helping the environment, the recycling process can also reduce the energy used in the manufacture of new products. For example, one desktop computer uses 48 pounds of chemicals, 1.5 tons of water and 530 pounds of fossil fuels.

The recycling process has limits, as most electronics are made from metal. In addition, some of the metals in electronics cannot be recovered from landfills.

The best way to recycle electronics is to improve their life cycle management. This includes taking steps to protect the environment, such as purchasing energy-efficient appliances and powering down when not in use.
Electronics contain lead, mercury and cadmium

Several consumer electronics products contain hazardous materials that could pose serious health risks. The chemicals include mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polybrominated biphenyls.

Many of these toxic materials can contaminate groundwater and air. They can also affect the reproductive system and brain. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has set occupational exposure limits for many chemicals.

Mercury switches are found in many electronic appliances, including clothes irons, ABS brakes, and silent light switches. Electrical switches typically contain 3.5 grams of mercury. Cadmium is used in semiconductors and printed circuit boards, and can cause environmental contamination.

Mercury and cadmium can leach into the groundwater and air, especially in landfills. The US EPA sets the standard for lead in soil at 1200 parts per million for non-play areas, and 400 ppm for playgrounds.

The Basel Action Network estimates that 80% of electronic waste in the U.S. goes to countries like China. These countries are not obligated to recycle electronic waste.

There are several options available for recycling used electronic equipment. Some companies, such as the Consumer Electronics Association, sponsor thousands of recycling locations in the U.S. In addition, some retailers offer trade-in programs for used electronics.

Some of the materials contained in consumer electronics are recyclable, but it is not always easy to separate the materials. In some cases, the e-waste is compacted at a landfill. The toxic materials can dissolve in the gross sludge at the landfill.
Circuit boards are sorted and their minerals collected

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) have an increasing share in the World's Electrical Equipment Waste (WEEE) pile. They account for 3% of the mass of global WEEE, and represent 8% by weight of small appliance WEEE.

Electronic equipment components contain recyclable materials. However, some are not recyclable, and need to be dismantled. These materials include hazardous materials.

A number of methods for recovering metals from PCBs are being explored. The most commonly used approach is a modified pyrometallurgical process. This approach involves pyrolysing PCBs in an open-ended tubular type oven at high temperatures. The resulting slag is then used to clean the pyrolysis gas. This process can lead to the recovery of noble metals like gold and silver.

There are also techniques for recovery of copper from PCBs, using an electrochemical process. This method is also more controllable. Typically, the amount of copper on PCBs ranges from four to six percent of the original board weight.

Another technique is the recovery of silver and gold through cyanidation. This process uses activated carbon as adsorbent to remove the silver and gold from a cyanide solution. The process was successful in extracting silver and gold from PCBs.

Another promising recycling technique involves physical recycling. This process utilizes low energy costs and diversified potential applications. The process is able to recover gold, silver, platinum, chromium and other metals from PCBs.
E-waste is sent on container ships to countries such as China

Approximately 80 percent of global e-waste is disposed of in landfills. This means that hazardous materials can contaminate local water supplies and cause a variety of adverse health effects. Toxic chemicals can also accumulate in the human body for years. Some of the most common toxic chemicals found in e-waste include PCBs, mercury, and radioactive substances. These pollutants can cause cancer, developmental problems, and abnormal thyroid function.

As with other waste, e-waste is often improperly recycled. Companies must adhere to health and safety rules. They must also use pollution control technologies.

For example, workers at recycling workshops do not wear safety gear, and chemicals released in the air can travel to other nearby regions. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established specific occupational exposure limits for chemicals. Some of these substances include dioxins, which can accumulate in the human body for 7-11 years. Some studies have found that blood levels of toxic metals are higher among people who work with electronic waste.

Guiyu, China, is often called the "e-waste capital of the world". It is a large community that processes electronic waste. Over 100,000 migrant workers work in the community. Over 75% of the local households have at least one migrant worker.

The Basel Action Network estimates that 80% of electronic waste ends up in countries like China. The United States has not ratified the Basel Convention, which requires countries importing hazardous waste to give their consent.
eLot Recycling is a woman owned, U.S. based, nationwide company

eLot Recycling is the real deal when it comes to ewaste. Its 50,000 square foot facility is state of the art in the green tech world. They are happy to accept your hard drives, computers, cell phones, tablets, televisions and just about anything that has a cord. eLot is also an exemplar when it comes to customer service. The company is a family run operation with a track record of excellence. This is the reason eLot was crowned as the best of the best in the state of New York. The company has been in business since 2001. With the recent expansion into the glitzy eponymous state, the company is set for years to come. For the foreseeable future, eLot will be the go-to electronics recycling provider for residents of the Golden State. A small but dedicated staff of professionals will be at the ready to meet the needs of the ever-changing ewaste laden metropolis.
Comprenew helps with technology recycling

Using a non-profit like Comprenew to dispose of your obsolete electronics can be a win-win situation. Not only does the company provide the most cost effective means of reusing your old tech, it also offers the most environmentally friendly solution.

Comprenew has been recycling electronics for nearly thirty years, and they've recycled over 50 million pounds of electronic material to date. Their state of the art technology allows them to take care of the heavy lifting, such as hard drive shredding, while you get to enjoy the benefits of your used tech. The company also offers the most secure means of disposal.

There's no denying that technology is a part of our daily lives, from navigating the web to putting our best foot forward in the workplace. However, there are many people who don't have access to home computers and other high tech devices. Comprenew is dedicated to keeping electronic devices out of landfills, and ensuring that their most valuable possessions get the best possible recycling treatment.

One of the most impressive technologies that Comprenew has incorporated into their fleet is the latest in data wiping technology, including NIST 800-88 media sanitization and hard drive shredding. By offering this and other data-centric services, Comprenew ensures the security of your most sensitive data. They can also provide you with tax deductible donation receipts.

In addition to their sanitization services, Comprenew also offers other tech-related services including IT asset disposition, secure pick-up and delivery services, and a full suite of information retrieval solutions.