You probably clicked on this article to discover new ways to make your workplace more environmentally-friendly. After all, in today’s modern world, it’s no secret that most businesses strive to promote green practices. One way your company can help the environment is to identify recyclable electronics in your business office.
Once you choose to recycle your old business electronics, you can set up an electronic waste recycling program to safely collect and dispose of your devices properly.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What are recyclable electronics
- Why should your business recycle old electronics
- What 8 electronics can be recycled in your business office
Are you excited to promote greener practices in your company? Let’s dive right in!
What Are Recyclable Electronics?
First and foremost, it’s important to define what recyclable electronics are. Simply put, recyclable electronics are any electronic devices that have reached their end of life or are no longer in use and are ready for disposal.
Some examples of recyclable electronics include:
- Smart phones
- IT Equipment
- Landlines
- Computers
- Televisions
- DVD/VCR Players
- CD Players
- And the list goes on!
Here’s the BIG problem: When electronics reach their end of life and are thrown away in the garbage, they can cause a number of issues for our environment.
Keep reading to learn what electronics can be recycled from your office and why your business should recycle electronics rather than tossing them into the landfill.
Why Should Your Business Recycle Old Electronics?
Did you know that old, damaged electronics can leach toxic materials? Some of these materials include lead, mercury, and cadmium. This is BAD NEWS for both humans and our environment!
Sadly, too many broken electronics end up in landfills and leach deadly toxins into the soil. This, in turn, ends up in our water supply. Not only are we at risk of drinking these toxic materials, but plants and animals are also exposed to them.
Reuse Costly Rare Earth Minerals
Furthermore, many electronics like smart devices (iPhones, tablets, laptops, etc.) contain rare earth minerals that are difficult to find and mine. Not to mention, mining for these minerals is extremely destructive to our planet.
Luckily, when you choose to recycle these items, rare earth minerals found in the devices will be extracted and reused!
Improper Electronics Disposal Can Lead to Data Breaches
Finally, when companies choose to dump their old devices, this puts businesses at risk of data breaches and cyber theft. Criminals seek out electronics in dumpsters to hack and steal valuable company and employee information. Obviously, this is something you want to avoid!
These are some of the many reasons why your workplace should identify what electronics are recyclable and take the means necessary to dispose of them properly. This leads us to electronic waste recycling.
What is Electronic Waste Recycling?
Electronic waste, also referred to as e-waste, refers to discarded electrical or electronic equipment. According to recent statistics, over 57.4 Million Metric Tonnes of e-waste was generated in 2021. Unfortunately, this number increases every year.
Here’s the good news: You can do your part and set up an electronic waste recycling program in your organization.
An e-waste recycling program encourages companies to collect end of life, unused electronics and send them to a certified e-waste recycling facility. Once the devices are at the recycling facility, the professional recyclers will shred the e-waste and extract any materials that can be reused in new appliances.
Furthermore, certified e-waste recyclers take sensitive private information into account and ensure all of your data is properly destroyed in the process. So, how can your company start recycling e-waste?
What Electronics Can Be Recycled In Your Business Office
The foundation of any e-waste recycling program is to first identify what electronics can be recycled. Here are the 8 most common recyclable electronics that are found in almost every business office.
1. Printers & Fax Machines
Did you know that you can recycle printers and fax machines through electronic waste recycling facilities?
If you have an old, out-of-date printer or fax machine that your business no longer uses, it’s time to get it out of your office. Keep in mind that some reliable e-waste recycling facilities offer free pick-up, so you don’t have to worry about lugging large electronics – like printers – to a drop off zone.
2. Monitors
Old screens and monitors are made up of many recyclable materials. Some of these parts include glass, plastic, a variety of metals, and electrical wiring or cables.
When you choose to recycle monitors, each piece of the electronic equipment will be taken apart, shredded, sorted, and processed. Any toxic materials found within the monitor will be safely extracted and stored as well.
3. Telephone Equipment
*Ring Ring,* the ‘90s called and they want their landlines back! Many organizations have excess telephone equipment that is out-of-date or no longer applicable to the workplace. This includes landlines and old telephone infrastructure that is taking up valuable space in your office building.
You may also have unused IT equipment that was used way back in the day and is no longer needed.
Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you haven’t used it in the past 2 years, recycle it! The materials found within old telephone and IT equipment can be deconstructed, cleaned, and repurposed.
4. Computers
Any type of computer you have can be recycled. In fact, some of the most common recyclable electronics found in offices today fall under the computer category.
In fact, did you know that the majority of computer components are recyclable? Only a mere 2% of the computer is deemed unrecyclable. Here are a few computer parts that can be recycled:
- Glass monitor
- Motherboard
- CMOS battery
- Aluminum and plastic casing
- Audio cards
- Ray tube
- Keyboard
- Circuit boards
- Computer power supply
Keep in mind that no matter how old the computer may be, it is your responsibility to properly dispose of it. You never know what kind of toxic material may be found in the computer.
5. Scanners
Similar to printers and fax machines, scanners are also recyclable electronics. Again, since scanners are often large machines, it’s a good idea to find an e-waste recycling facility that offers free pick-up services.
Your old scanners will be meticulously taken apart, cleaned, and processed. All materials will be sorted and any harmful chemicals will be removed and safely contained.
6. TVs & Projection Equipment
Next on the list are televisions and projection equipment. Devices such as DVD, VCR, and Blu-Ray sets also fall under this category.
If your TV is still operable, you can consider selling it to another individual to get more use out of it. However, if the TV is old, damaged, cracked, or broken, it’s best to go ahead and recycle it.
As for projection equipment, most of these electronics are no longer used in today’s day and age. Smart devices have replaced the need for this type of equipment. Again – if you haven’t used it in the past 2 years, it’s time to get rid of it!
7. Smart Devices
Speaking of smart devices, you might be wondering if you can recycle your Apple or Android electronics.
Yes, you can! But, smartphones are just one of many types of electronics that are recyclable that fall under the smart device category.
A smart device is any electronic gadget that is capable of connecting to other electronics and performing autonomous computing for data exchange. Some examples of recyclable smart devices include iPhones, smartwatches, smart speakers, tablets, voice-controlled devices, laptops, smart plugs, and so on.
Almost all smart devices contain valuable rare earth minerals inside of them. That is why it is so important to recycle them!
8. Hard Drives
Last but not least, hard drives are common recyclable electronics found in the vast majority of business offices. When it comes to getting rid of hard drives, it’s absolutely necessary that you find a reputable and certified recycling facility to handle these electronics.
Why? Because your company’s data may be found in your old hard drives. They must be responsibly wiped and destroyed to avoid data breaches and information leaks.
When you recycle your hard drives, it’s always a good idea to ask the recycler to give you a certification of destruction. This will ensure your data is completely destroyed and will give you peace of mind.
Start Recycling Electronics with Recycle Global Solutions
As you can see, there are a ton of different electronics that are recyclable in your business office. Every business office has electronics that eventually get to the end of their life. Luckily, business owners can recycle these electronics!
If you’re ready to start recycling e-waste, consider partnering with Recycle Global Solutions. From old computers and cable boxes to receivers and transmitters, we take it all! We also offer free pick-up and data destruction. Feel free to give us a call at 813-443-3498 to discuss your business’s electronics recycling options.