At this point, we probably shouldn’t have to tell you that we’re big fans of recycling. We’ve been so enthusiastic about the benefits of recycling e-waste that you’re probably well aware of most of the big ones by now. Plus, recycling is kind of a general no-brainer these days. Most of us have heard plenty about the benefits of reducing the amount of waste we generate, and many people have been conscientious recyclers for years, if not decades.

All the same, we’ve put together even more reasons why you should be just as excited about computer scrap e-waste recycling as we are. In fact, we rounded up seven top benefits of recycling e-waste to persuade you that it’s the right way to go.

The following points are all the reasons why we think you should gather up all the electronic junk gathering dust in your life and drop it off at your nearest electronics recycling center. The benefits of recycling e-waste are wide-ranging and far-reaching, covering both local perks and worldwide pluses. Hopefully you can find at least one that will motivate you to recycle your electronic waste.

1. Help the environment.

We’ve already spoken at length about the environmental benefits of recycling e-waste, and for good reason. This is the top motivator for recycling e-waste for a lot of people and organizations. When you look at how damaging the alternative can be to the environment, it’s easy to see why. We’ll keep this section fairly brief for your sake, but let’s dive into a few specifics.

Reuse resources.

Many of the components used to make electronics have to be mined. That’s not a very environmentally friendly process on its own. Now, add to it the fact that these are finite resources, and the necessity of computer scrap e-waste recycling becomes quite clear. There will come a point where there simply isn’t any tin or copper left to mine. Recycled electronics are a great way to get these resources — for example, you can recover as much as 35,274 pounds of copper from every million smart phones recycled.

Reusing these resources not only preserves the existing ones still left to mine, but it also uses less energy. It’s far more efficient to repurpose those existing materials instead of extracting new ones.

Plus, not all resources recovered from dead electronics are used to create new ones. They can find new life in other types of products. For example, the plastic from smart phones can be used to make new lawn furniture. The metal can also be transfused into car parts. 

Some resources are more prevalent in electronics than others, and the market’s needs are always changing, but it’s definitely safe to say that reusing materials from existing electronics is definitely one of the major environmental benefits of recycling e-waste. 

Reduce pollution.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that if you’re not partaking in computer scrap e-waste recycling, you’re letting it sit in a landfill for virtually forever. What might be more surprising, however, is how many toxic chemicals a lot of e-waste contains. Lead is very common in electronics — CRT monitors, for example, can have literal pounds of it. You don’t want any of those types of harmful substances getting into our air or water supply. Keeping electronics out of landfills is one key way to do just that.

It’s also important to point out that to have the best environmental benefits of recycling e-waste, you need to donate your items to a reputable center. Some computer scrap e-waste recycling centers will ship your items overseas where they’re not disposed of properly. To get at the valuable metals within the components, they’ll sometimes burn up the plastic, which releases really harmful toxins into the atmosphere. There are also human costs to these kinds of unethical practices. Many overseas electronics recycling centers have their workers disassemble the devices by hand, and those workers sometimes include children. 

This all means that it’s important to do you due diligence for a lot of reasons, both ethical and environmental. If you’re really motivated by reducing pollution, you can definitely find a recycling center that gets the job done the right way.

2. Declutter your home.

If you’re in need of more self-centered benefits of recycling e-waste, we’ve got a great one for you. Most of us have some kind of drawer or cabinet or disorganized pile of old electronics. It’s ugly, it’s annoying, and it takes up valuable space. One of the big benefits of recycling e-waste is that it gets all those annoying cords and screens out of your way, freeing up space for different junk. 

Sure, this isn’t one of the benefits of e-waste recycling that’s going to change the world. Cleaning up and organizing your space isn’t something that’s revolutionary, but it’s a definite plus for many people seeking out computer scrap e-waste recycling. Especially for those who live in small spaces, having extra, unusable items around your home is nothing but a nuisance. If you can’t use your electronics anymore, the best place for them is an e-recycling center. Computer scrap e-waste recycling is a great way to reclaim your junk drawer.

3. Help those in need.

These sorts of programs aren’t computer scrap e-waste recycling in the most traditional sense. However, they’re still valuable ways to give old electronics a new life. Some e-waste recycling centers will try to refurbish or repair the devices they receive before scrapping them entirely, and if the electronics can be salvaged, they’ll donate them to classrooms or other programs that are in desperate need of electronic devices.

The “digital divide” is growing more and more steep. Especially with the recent need for online schooling, students need more access to these types of devices than ever before. Plus, many jobs require digital-based skills of some sort. It’s vital to get electronics in the hands of people who need them most.

Since these opportunities are less obvious forms of computer scrap e-waste recycling, this might be one of the least-known benefits of recycling e-waste. Now you know, and hopefully, you’ll use this knowledge to pay it forward.

4. Comply with the law.

Okay, so this one is less of a benefit and more of a requirement. But it still stands — one of the biggest benefits of recycling e-waste is that you’ll stay on the right side of the law in many places. 

The specific requirements when it comes to computer scrap e-waste recycling and other forms of e-cycling vary from state to state. However, there’s a good chance that some form of electronic recycling is mandated where you live. Many states have banned certain electrical components from trash cans, requiring that they be properly recycled instead. Some specifically restrict the ways businesses and other large organizations dispose of their electronic waste. This is largely due to all the other benefits of recycling e-waste on this list, especially the environmental concerns. Governments that recognize how harmful electronic waste can be in landfills have taken measures to keep them out.

Check with your local or state government to be sure of the laws in your neck of the woods, and make sure to recycle your e-waste according to those guidelines. 

5. Earn a little extra cash.

Some e-recycling centers will offer you money for specific kinds of e-waste. Others will charge you to haul away certain difficult items, like CRT TVs. And you might not earn anything at all, other than the other benefits of recycling e-waste that we’ve outlined here. 

Nonetheless, you might get lucky and discover a recycling center that will pay you for computer scrap e-waste recycling. You won’t make a lot, but if you can pile up a bunch of electronic junk, you might make enough to make it worth your while. There are a lot of valuable materials tangled up in those computer elements, and some facilities will pay for them. Manufacturers often use copper, gold, and other valuable metals to make computers and other electronics. So, check to see if any compensation is available at your e-recycling center of choice.

6. Lower the cost of goods.

This is one of the benefits of recycling e-waste that goes along with a lot of the other ones we’ve listed here. Because recycling reduces the need for mining new materials, that lowers the cost of goods. Using recycled materials is cheaper than mining them in a lot of cases. Increasing computer scrap e-waste recycling in large quantities would help this come to pass at an even faster rate. You’re not going to have too much of an impact on the worldwide market on your own. However, if we all commit to computer scrap e-waste recycling and recycling as many of our outdated gadgets as we can, then we’re going to have a huge, positive effect on making electronics more affordable.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that these savings would be passed onto the consumer, but that’s a different can of worms. It stands that computer scrap e-waste recycling makes it cheaper to produce electronics, and that can only be a benefit of recycling e-waste.

7. Keep your data safe.

You probably aren’t thinking about all the personal data stored on your old computers that you don’t use anymore, but you probably should be. It’s important to destroy detay properly for security reasons. Reputable e-waste recycling centers will best know how to do that. It’s one of the lesser-known benefits of recycling e-waste. Not only will you be getting rid of a device that you no longer need, but you’ll also be ensuring the security of your personal data. 

Computer scrap e-waste recycling can scrub your data from the device in a variety of ways, some more effective than others. Don’t think that simply deleting your data is enough — it’s still there, even if you can’t easily access it. A factory reset might be all you need to do, but there are more thorough ways of permanently getting rid of your data. This is especially important in the business world. You don’t want proprietary company secrets getting into the hands of a bad actor.

As such, you need to make sure the facility is going to properly get rid of all your data, and you should do what you can before dropping your computer off for recycling. If you’re interested in all the different ways an e-waste recycling center can destroy your data for good, you can read our previous blog post about it here.

Cash in on the benefits of recycling e-waste.

Now you know how much you and the world can benefit from computer scrap e-waste recycling. Some benefits are personal to you, like getting rid of extra clutter around your house or earning a little extra cash on the side. You’ll also be ensuring that none of your private data falls into the wrong hands. 

Other benefits of recycling e-waste are more global in scope. By responsibly disposing of your unwanted electronics, you won’t contribute to more mining of the materials made to create them, which can, in turn, make those new electronics cheaper to build. What’s more, you’ll be keeping harmful chemicals out of landfills. Some programs will even refurbish and donate your old devices, meaning they can serve someone less fortunate if they’re no longer serving you.

Obviously, we’re big computer scrap e-waste recycling advocates. But you should also do what you can to keep your computers for as long as possible. If you take good care of it and make sure it’s got all the features you need when you buy it, it should last a good, long time. And this goes for other devices, too. Charge your phone according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, and do what you can to resist the temptation of buying a new phone every year. That way, you’ll reduce the materials required to make electronics.

Whatever way you choose to extend the life of your computer or phone or any other electronic you’ve got laying around, now you know exactly what’s in it for you. Happy recycling!

The post The Top 7 Benefits of Recycling E-Waste appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

If you’re looking for information on what a St. Louis data destruction company can do for you, you’re in the right place. Here, we’ve compiled some different data destruction examples as well as a brief explainer on what the process entails and why it’s important. 

What is data destruction?

First, let’s start with the basics. Simply put, data destruction is, well, exactly what it sounds like: Getting rid of your data. This process is different from merely deleting your data. The data you’ve deleted is still stored on your computer, you just can’t see it anymore. Tech savvy people can find it in the bowels of your hard drive or memory chip. That is, unless you completely destroy the data.

Why would you want to destroy your data?

There’s a myriad of situations in which you would want to delete your data and you wouldn’t want anyone to be able to access it. This is most commonly seen in the business world. When getting rid of your business’s old computers, you want to be completely sure no one will be able to find your business’s information on them once they’re out of your hands.

As a private citizen, you have good reason to look into St. Louis data destruction, too. You’re at a higher risk of identity theft if you don’t destroy the data on the devices you no longer use. 

How does St. Louis data destruction work?

This data destruction process can be achieved in a variety of ways. No matter how you go about it, once you’ve had a St. Louis data destruction company have a go at your computer, your data can’t be accessed by anyone, even the most adept computer whizzes. If you’re curious about the process, you can read on for some data destruction examples. It might sound kind of technical, but we’ll do our best to keep it reader-friendly.

Data Destruction Examples

Even though it sounds like a fairly straightforward process (Step one, take data, step two, destroy it), there are actually several ways in which a St. Louis data destruction company can permanently destroy your data. We’ll take you through some of the methods they use to accomplish this, and then we’ll go through the different considerations you should take into account before selecting one method over the others. 

DIY Options

These are some of the data destruction examples that you should not follow if you value your complete privacy. Many people think they’re covered by simply deleting their data, but as we previously explained, deleting your data does not get rid of it permanently — it just makes it harder to access.

The same goes for reformatting your disc. There are plenty of tools out there on the internet for people to recover data on reformatted discs. That means your data is not only still around, but also fairly easily accessible. This is clearly not one of the more effective data destruction examples.

A do-it-yourself option that’s slightly better is performing a factory reset on your device. Of course, this isn’t always an option on all devices, but if it is, it might be worth looking into. As the name suggests, factory resets restore the device to the settings it had fresh from the factory, thus getting rid of all user data. Some manufacturers even enable cryptographic erasure (we’ll touch on what this entails a little later) as a part of this process. If security is a main concern, you probably don’t want the factory reset to be your only method of data destruction, but if it is, make sure you know what methods the factory reset on that particular device uses. Some are more secure than others.

Wiping

Now that we’ve gotten the DIY options out of the way, let’s look at some professional data destruction examples. The first one we’ll tackle is wiping. That process entails physically connecting the device you want the data wiped from to a bulk wiping device. In other cases, it can be done internally by starting a PC from a network or CD. 

The great thing about wiping your device is that you can continue to use the device after it has been wiped without losing any storage space. That’s not true of many of the data destruction examples on this list.

Overwriting

Some might consider overwriting to be a type of wiping. They’re very similar processes. In overwriting, the St. Louis data destruction service will write over your data with random data until your actual data can no longer be accessed. This is usually accomplished with one pass through, but for particularly sensitive data, the company might recommend multiple passes. Overwriting is very common and therefore fairly accessible, especially when compared to some of the other data destruction examples on this list.

The only times when overwriting isn’t a good option is when the device is damaged and can’t have new data written to it. It also takes a good amount of time, and it doesn’t work on certain types of hard drives. 

Degaussing

This is one of the more fun-sounding data destruction examples, but it’s not really all that more exciting than the other options on this list. With degaussing, you’re taking a high-powered magnet and disrupting the magnetic field of your device, which destroys the data. The process is exceedingly quick and thorough in comparison to some of the other options that might require multiple steps or long wait times. 

There are also disadvantages, though. The first is that you can’t check to see if your data has been completely destroyed, and that’s because of the second disadvantage: Degaussing renders the hard drive completely useless. So you’re out of luck if you wanted to continue using that device, or if you were planning on donating it to someone else. Degaussing can be a good solution, but it’s not ideal in all circumstances.

Physical Destruction

Obviously, a lot of different types of data destruction fit under this umbrella. Degaussing is actually one of them. But here, we’re mainly focusing on methods that completely destroy the device you’re trying to get the data off of.

One way to do that is to shred it. This can be a very efficient solution, especially if you have a lot of electronic waste you’d like to get rid of. The downside is that you can’t use those devices any more, obviously, but if they’re not functional anymore anyway, it might be a good option for you or your business. One of the main appeals of physical destruction is that you don’t need any technical knowledge to be reasonably sure no one can access data that’s literally shredded into itty bitty pieces.

Data Sanitization

All of the preceding data destruction examples are trustworthy processes for getting rid of your data, but some people want even more assurance. That’s where data sanitization comes in. It goes a step further than these data destruction examples and confirms that your data can no longer be accessed.

Cryptographic Erasure

This process is a little more technical than some of the other data destruction examples, but we’ll endeavor to keep it brief. Basically, cryptographic erasure is a process where an encryption software is used on the entire device where your data is stored, and then the key to decrypt the data is erased. That means the data is technically still there, but it’s virtually impossible to decrypt and therefore impossible to access.

Data Erasure

This is essentially another form of overwriting, but it has its own slight differences. Data erasure is another one of the software-based data destruction examples. To qualify as data erasure and therefore data sanitization, the software must provide a certificate stating details about the process (mostly that it was successful). The certificate must be unalterable. This ensures peace of mind — you can be absolutely sure the process worked and your data is no longer accessible. 

How to Choose a St. Louis Data Destruction Company

We’ve dumped a lot of information on you, and it might be hard to figure out how to go from sifting through the different forms of data destruction to actually acting on that newfound knowledge. Let’s go through the different pros and cons of all the data destruction examples we just listed. That way, you can figure out which method best suits your needs, and you can find a St. Louis data destruction company that offers that kind of service. 

Time

The first aspect you should consider is how much time you want to devote to your St. Louis data destruction. If you’re a big business looking to destroy data on a lot of devices, you’ll want to steer clear of some of the more time consuming options on this list. 

However, if you’re an individual who just wants to get rid of data on one or two devices, you might have time to pursue those longer data destruction examples. For example, wiping can take a very long time — sometimes an entire day just for one device. That makes it exceedingly impractical for a business but a definite potential for an individual. 

Type of Device

You’ll also have to define which devices you want to destroy the data on. Not all techniques are ideal for all devices. For example, degaussing only works on hard drives and most tapes. If you need to destroy the data on a solid state drive, degaussing won’t work. Overwriting is another method that doesn’t work on all hard drives. A St. Louis data destruction company should want to know exactly which devices you’re looking to have the data destroyed on before recommending methods, and they should answer any questions you might have about the effectiveness of their preferred method on your devices.

Life of the Device

Also think about what you want to do with the device after the St. Louis data destruction company is done with it. Do you want to donate or recycle it? Are you trying to get the data off of it so you can use it for a different purpose? Or are you simply trying to get rid of it? 

There are plenty of options where you can use the device after its data has been completely destroyed. The ones where you can’t, though, include the physical destruction options. That includes degaussing, which renders the hard drive unusable. And obviously, if you shred a device, you’re not going to get any more use out of it, unless you can find a use for tiny pieces of metal.

Security

Your company might have certain security protocols that must be followed when it comes to using a St. Louis data destruction service. Some methods will work just fine for personal use, but they’re not guaranteed enough for very sensitive industries. Those types of scenarios are what data sanitization is built for. That way, you can guarantee that the data can no longer be accessed at all, by anyone, ever.

Don’t hesitate to contact a St. Louis data destruction company.

Data destruction is a good idea, no matter your circumstances. The only tricky part is finding the right company that will perform the right type of data destruction for your specific needs. We’ve given you plenty of data destruction examples, so you should feel confident wading out into those waters for yourself. 

Just to give you one last boost, let’s recap the different types of services a St. Louis data destruction company might offer:

• Wiping
• Overwriting
• Degaussing
• Physical Destruction
• Cryptographic Erasure
• Data Erasure

Once you’ve identified which type you want to pursue, you can identify St. Louis data destruction services that perform that type of destruction. They can also offer their opinions and expertise on the matter. 

In any case, make sure the company is reputable and will supply proper documentation. Some places require businesses to have clear proof that data was thoroughly erased, so that documentation might come in handy. Check your local guidelines for yourself to make sure you are compliant with the law.

Data destruction can be a great way to make sure your devices are disposed of properly or get the chance at a second life, both of which can be beneficial to the environment. When you couple that with the fact that proper data destruction is the law in many places, that’s all the motivation you need to contact a St. Louis data destruction firm.

The post Different Types of St. Louis Data Destruction appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

Wondering what to do with that outdated computer you have lying around the house? If you are, you can scrap a computer for metals and recycling the components is the way to go. It ensures you dispose of the electrical components correctly and reduces carbon input into the atmosphere.

Many people don’t know that old computers that were big and noisy usually came with many components. Some of these components contain precious metals like copper, gold, and aluminum. Most of these components are no longer used in the current generation of computers that are sleeker, smaller, and less bulky.

Most private and government institutions dispose of their computers after upgrading their machines to newer ones that run faster. You can benefit from such disposal events which also happen in schools, banking institutions, and other businesses. Craigslist is also a good place to look for older computers. Many of the organizations that own outdated computers do not know what to do with the copper and other components found inside the old computers.

The best thing is that you don’t need a lot of technical skills to scrap a computer for metals. In fact, basic skills and tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and wire cutters are enough to scrap a computer for metals. You will then need to know what to do with the copper components derived after you scrap the computer for metals.

To scrap a computer for metals, you need to separate various components that contain different metals. Components like the RAM chips, Hard disk drives, connecting wires, and the motherboard all have some precious metal content.

The design of older models of computers also works to your advantage when you want to scrap a computer for metals. This is because the casings are designed to allow easy access to the interior parts. Note that this design was not a flaw; rather, it eased maintenance and parts replacement. The on-board components which are what you will be seeking when you scrap a computer for metals also come off easily.

Tools You Will Need to Scrap a Computer for Metals

The following tools are important when you want to scrap a computer for metals:

• Flathead screwdriver
• A pair of pliers
• Wire cutters
• Hexagonal head screwdriver
• Insulation tape
• Containers of varying size

After assembling all the tools needed, you are now ready to open the computer and scrap it for metals.

Steps to Follow to Successfully Scrap a Computer for Metals

Step 1 – Opening the Central Processing Unit

The outer casing on a tower CPU is very easy to open. It will mostly be held in place by two screws at the back. The screws can be loosened using the flathead screwdriver and then removed by hand. With the screws off, one side of the casing should come off by unlatching the cover from the frame of the casing. You will then need to use a bit of force if it is held on too tight. A trick that experts who have years of experience scrapping a computer for metals share is to use both hands to remove the case cover. Both thumbs should hold the CPU down while the other fingers hold on to the cover and force it off the frame.

Once you successfully remove the cover, you now have unrestricted access to the interior of the CPU and can scrap the computer for metal parts with ease.

Step 2 – Removing Screwed in Components

The interior has various parts held in place by screws. Begin by unscrewing the power supply unit, which is located at the top corner of the CPU. From here, move to the front and unscrew the disk drives and hard disk drives. These are usually held in place by four screws each. Inspect the shape on the head of the screw and select the screwdriver head that matches the screw head to avoid damaging it. If the screw has a straight indentation, use the flathead screwdriver. If it has a star-shaped head, however, use the star-shaped or Philips screwdriver.

Step 3 – Removing or Cutting off Wires

With the interior components unscrewed, you can now start unplugging the connecting wires that link various components. The disk drives and hard disk drives usually have clips at the end that you can pry out by pressing on the clip in latches. You need to be keen here to get the complete wires instead of cutting them midway. The opposite end where the wires go inside the power supply unit do not have clips. This is where the wire cutter tool comes in. You should try to get the wire cutter tip as close to the end of each wire as possible. This gets you the maximum length of wire possible when you scrap a computer for metal parts. The wires have a plastic cover but are exposed at the ends. Organize all the wires that you pull out of the computer into a pile. The wires have a lot of value because they contain insulated copper which makes part of the components you need for copper recycling.

Step 4 – Removing Components

Once you have removed all the wires and unscrewed the various components you can now begin to pull them out. The power supply should lift off quite easily while the disk drives and hard disk may need a little wiggling. Separate the disk drives by placing them in a pile and the hard disk and power supply in a separate pile. Fans and other plastic covers that might be holding the disk drives in place should be pried out using a flathead screwdriver and placed separately. These don’t have any metal content and should be disposed of separately.

Step 5 – Removing the Motherboard

With disk drives, the power supply, hard disks, and connecting wires out of the way, you should now have access to the motherboard and the screws that hold it in place. Use the correct screwdriver head to loosen the screws holding the motherboard down. Ensure you inspect the heads of the screws and use a matching screwdriver to make the job easier and to avoid damaging the screws. After loosening the screws, you can now lift off the motherboard from the casing and work on it separately.

Step 6 – Unplugging the Onboard Components from the Motherboard

The motherboard has many small-sized components that are plugged into it. Most of them, however, simply come off after unclipping the clips that hold them in. The RAM chips, for example, have two clips on both sides that hold them in place. Once you pry open the clips, removing the RAM chips is as easy as lifting them off. Heat sinks are the next components you need to remove from the motherboard. These can be screwed in with a few screws or just be held in place using clips depending on the type and make of the CPU. Once unscrewed or unclipped, lift them off, and place them in a separate pile.

Note that some CPUs have a fan attached to the top of the heat sync. This is usually to optimize the cooling of the processor located below the fan and heatsink. To remove these components, begin by loosening any screws holding the fan in place. From here, ensure that you first unplug the thin wires that bring power to the fan before lifting it off. After that, you should have access to the heat sync, which is similar to the other heat syncs. Removal is just as straightforward; just unclip and lift the sync away. You should now have the processor unit exposed.

Step 7 – Unlatching the Processor Unit

The processor is a small square-shaped chip held down by a single latch. To remove it, simply lift off the latch and prop up the chip. It should come off easily.

After following all the above steps, you are now done removing the parts of your computer. The next step is to take the parts to a scrap yard and convert them into cash. Each component fetches a different price depending on the metals that are used to make it. The common types of metals you will find inside a CPU are:

• Copper – usually found in the wires
• Gold – small amounts of gold are in some of the chips
• Aluminum – casings and frame are made of aluminum

Copper Recycling After You Scrap a Computer for Metals

Copper recycling is important after you scrap a computer for metals because unlike the other parts, which have been replaced by smaller and more efficient parts, the copper components are still usable. Parts like the generic hard disk drive, for instance, have been replaced by the more compact and faster solid-state drives.

Copper recycling plants accept copper wires from computers as well as other parts made of copper, such as some heat syncs and metal casings.

To have an easier time at the recycling plant, ensure that you separate different components that have copper metal when you scrap a computer for metals. Separating the components makes it easier for the buyers of scrap to value the items you want to recycle, which means that you will spend less time with them. Moreover, when the copper recycling agent spends less time with one client, they are likely to serve more people in a day.

Copper recycling in computer parts takes two forms. First, there is ribbon copper wire recycling while the second one is computer wire recycling. Ribbon copper recycling fetches a lower value as compared to computer wire copper recycling because of the lower copper metal content in the ribbon copper.

The money you make from computer wire copper recycling is also dependent on the thickness of the copper wires you have, usually referred to as wire gauge. This is because higher gauge wires are priced higher as compared to lower gauge wires at the copper recycling plant. A good way to save time for yourself and the recycling company where you want to sell the items you have extracted after you scrap a computer for metals, is keeping wires with similar gauge together. Another good tip that will save you time and increase the money from copper recycling is scraping many computers at a go. It helps to amass a number of redundant machines first and then scraping them once you are sure the components you get from them will fetch a good price.

Copper recycling after you scrap your computer for metals also involves extracting the copper content at the back of some processor chips. Note, however, that not all chips have copper content. As such, it would be advisable to consult with the copper recycling agents before placing your chip inside the same container with other copper components.

What to Do With Copper

Recycled Copper has many uses in both domestic and commercial settings. So, if you are asking yourself what to do with copper after you scrap a computer for metals, you will be happy to know that it has a high demand, which is attributable to its many uses.

Large-scale Copper recycling involves the use of a copper wire granulator that has the ability to separate the copper wires from the insulating material. Manufacturers can further improve purification by extracting pure copper granules from the copper wires. They will then know what to do with copper extracted after you scrap a computer for metals. Note, however, that copper recycling using a granulator is limited to copper wires below 20 millimeters thickness.

Conclusion

After reading the above sections, you now know how to scrap a computer correctly and get some money instead of just throwing it away. E-waste has become a great problem in most countries, especially because more people are adopting the use of recent technologies in their homes, offices, and schooling institutions. Start scraping your old computers today play a part in reducing the amount of e-waste that keeps accumulating and degrading the environment every day.

The post How to Scrap a Computer for Metals appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

Why do we recycle computers? It’s a question that deserves an answer. It’s a question that has many good answers, too. Recycling, in general, can be a wonderful thing. The many diverse advantages of recycling include but are not limited to the following:

• Minimizing the degree of waste that gets taken to incinerators and landfills alike
• Conserving precious energy
• Safeguarding natural resources including minerals, H20, and timber.
• Keeping pollution at bay through minimizing raw mineral gathering requirements considerably
• Decreasing carbon emissions that can affect the environment
• Establishing new positions for job seekers

There’s no disputing that recycling paper and plastic is beneficial. But they aren’t the only things that you should be recycling. It can be a terrific idea to recycle electronic goods, like computers. Why do we recycle computers all over the world? Answers to that question cover electronic scrap prices and a host of similar and pertinent topics.

Why Do We Recycle Computers: The Advantages

Don’t assume that the advantages of computer recycling are few and far between. There are many positive advantages to breathing new life into your tired and broken electronic devices, believe it or not. There are plentiful local online resources that can help you figure out where to sell computer scrap pieces. Figuring out where to sell computer scrap pieces can get your recycling efforts off to a promising start.

Here are some of the biggest advantages of recycling old computers:

Saving Resources That Are Natural

Computer recycling is another way to save the earth’s natural resources. You should resist the temptation to simply dispose of your computer. Recycle it, instead. If you make the choice to recycle, you can restrict the number of supplies that are necessary to manufacture fresh electronic goods. Older computers are equipped with an abundance of parts that manufacturers can use in the future. That’s precisely why disposing of them can be highly wasteful. Monitors have glass and plastic that can come in handy for the construction of new devices.

Doing Good Deeds in the Neighborhood

People recycle many older computers that are actually still in pretty good condition. Looking after computers can keep them in rock-solid shape for many years. If you recycle a computer that’s relatively reliable, then you may be doing the people in your neighborhood a favor. Professionals can restore old computers. Once they do that, they can donate them to nearby charity groups, educational institutions, and libraries. Computers that are used can even be helpful to households that do not have much money. Computer recycling and donation activities can give people in your area access to technology that may have been out of reach for them otherwise. Computer access can open young children up to the thrilling possibilities of education.

Making Way for Job Openings in Your Area

Recycling electronic devices can actually help people who are on the lookout for jobs. There are many computers that aren’t suitable fits for restoration work. People often bring these kinds of computers to the nearest electronic recycling facilities. If many people make the decision to do this, it can be a boon to the economy. It can pave the way for the demand for people to work for the previously mentioned electronic recycling processing facilities. If you love the idea of helping people who are searching high and low for career openings, then you may want to recycle any electronic devices that you have no plans to use again.

Helping the Environment and the Planet

There’s no arguing that human beings only have one planet. That’s exactly why we should do anything in our capacity to keep it safe from destruction. If you take the time to recycle an old computer, then the environment and the planet may benefit from your kind gesture. 

Waste that comes from older electronic devices can do a number on the planet. Don’t forget that significant amounts of waste emerge all of the time. People throw electronic waste into landfills everywhere without thinking twice about it. This waste slowly but surely gives off detrimental toxins, too. People who want to breathe in air that’s pure and clean often have many complaints that relate to these unpleasant and persistent emissions. Pollution is no laughing matter. 

Electronic waste items that linger inside of landfills can give off all kinds of chemicals that are categorized as “toxic.” They frequently emit lead and mercury. Lead and mercury both are infamous for wreaking havoc onto the environment. Their chemicals blend with groundwater. This combination can bring on substantial H20 quality deterioration. There are detrimental chemicals that combine with the air. This type of air pollution can pose a problem to the environment and to human beings in general. People who want to do their parts to keep their fellow human beings safe and comfortable frequently make the decision to recycle computers they no longer use or need.

Health Advantages

Why do we recycle computers? People frequently do so for health purposes. Thoughtlessly getting rid of computers can bring on the emission of detrimental toxins. Putting these toxins into the environment can be a huge mistake. It can negatively affect health in humans and animals of all sorts. Organisms can soak up these toxins via water. They can take them in through the air that surrounds them as well. Lead and mercury aren’t the only two danger factors, either. There are various others. Lead can interfere with the development of the brain. It’s poisonous to the reproductive system, the nervous system and even the kidneys.

Mercury is in no way beneficial for human health. It can be destructive to fetuses that are still in their mothers’ wombs. It can bring on significant damage that involves the kidney and the brain, too.

Plastic burning isn’t the most innocuous thing. It’s a process that can give off cadmium. Cadmium is a pale metal that can wreak havoc onto the human body. It can hurt the kidneys. It can even weaken bones over time.

Beryllium, last but not least, is another metal. It’s accessible inside of both motherboards and connectors. It’s a chemical that’s hazardous to human health. People often refer to it as being a carcinogen.

There are countless humans who have to live beside landfills. That’s the reason that minimizing the waste that’s associated with old computers can be helpful. Doing so can protect these people from all kinds of medical risks.

Keeping Misuse of Resources at Bay

Electronic waste is in most cases delivered to third world countries. These countries often give manufacturers access to cheap labor. Electronic waste can be problematic for employees who have no option but to handle it. That’s because they have to deal with the detrimental toxins that are associated with electronic waste items. If you recycle your old and unwanted computer in the right manner, then you can help safeguard employees in distant nations from the dangers of chemicals that come from electronic waste.

Electronic Scrap Prices and Other Factors

Electronic scrap prices often differ. If you want to learn all about electronic scrap prices, then you should reach out to the team members who represent CJD E-Cycling. CJD E-Cycling’s representatives can talk to you about electronic scrap prices. If you want to know where to sell computer scrap pieces, then your best bet is to reach to the professionals who are behind CJD E-Cycling. Electronic scrap prices always depend on the individual item. If you’re researching where to sell computer scrap items, you should look into places that buy things beyond just full devices. Look for places that regularly buy wires for computers, hard drives, circuit boards, transformers, insulated wires, monitors and mainframes.

Learning About Electronic Scrap

Learning about electronic scrap prices calls for a lot of diligence. Computer board prices often run the gamut. If you sell a P3 motherboard, then you may be able to get $2.30 a pound. If you sell a silver memory computer board, then you may be able to get a little more at $3.00 a pound. Gold memory computer board price tags tend to be substantially higher. They tend to sell for $8.00 a pound.

People who want to comprehend electronic scrap prices should learn all about internal parts. Hard drives that do not have any boards may demand just 10 cents a pound. Hard drives that do have them may be able to score 30 cents a pound.

You can learn more about electronic scrap prices by assessing items that are miscellaneous in nature. A couple examples of these kinds of items are gold-plated connectors and AC adaptors. These connectors may go for 35 cents a pound. AC adaptors may go for a nickel or so a pound.

There are no specific rules for electronic scrap prices. If you’re interested in doing away with confusion, then you can review prices that are typically associated with everything from mixed ceramic processors and whole servers to digital satellite receivers and P4 motherboards.

Where to Sell Computer Scrap Pieces? CJD E-Cycling Is the Intelligent Answer

Finding a suitable place to sell old pieces of your computer can be a headache for people who do not know where to begin. CJD E-Cycling is a family-run business that handles electronic scrap recycling and all of its pathways. The professionals who work for this Illinois company strive to make the vast planet a lot more eco-friendly. They strive to do so by providing people with facilities that can help them safely and efficiently do away with metals and electronic devices of all varieties. The CJD E-Cycling team wants nothing more than for landfills to remain as clear as possible.

CJD E-Cycling can be a rock-solid choice for people who want to say farewell to all kinds of electronic devices. If you’re keen on recycling a computer that you haven’t used in years, the CJD E-Cycling team can come through for you 100 percent. They often say that they will take anything with a cord. They just as frequently say that they embrace metals of all varieties.

Why do we recycle computers? We do so because it can pave the way for many advantages. Companies like CJD E-Cycling make electronic scrap recycling a piece of cake. Recycling electronic scraps doesn’t have to be frustrating for people who work with the CJD E-Cycling team. CJD E-Cycling buys printers, keyboards, monitors, consoles, CRTs and digital music players that are portable. If you have any questions that involve materials that the CJD E-Cycling crew may take, then visit the business website. You can check out a document that highlights any and all appropriate options.

Conclusion

Why do we recycle computers? We recycle computers because CJD E-Cycling streamlines the concept of buying e-scraps. Why do we recycle computers? We do so because the company can help you score cash. If you have an old and seemingly useless computer that’s simply gathering dust inside of your living space, then nothing can make more sense than seeking guidance from the CJD E-Cycling crew.

You don’t have to go into panic mode if you have any questions that relate to the CJD E-Cycling team and all of your recycling options. CJD E-Cycling is headquartered in pleasant Edwardsville, Illinois. It has the cooperation of team members who are detail-oriented and knowledgeable regarding all sorts of electronic waste management techniques. You can find out more from the company by filling out a basic form that’s on hand on its official website. Just fill out the fields for your name, email address and subject. If you have questions about price points or anything else, a CJD E-Cycling employee will get back to you rapidly.

You don’t have to restrict yourself to contact through email. You can also call the company’s office on the telephone. Be sure to ask its staff members questions about electronic waste recycling opportunities. Call the staff at CJD E-Cycling as soon as you can to find out more about the perks of old computer recycling. Why do we recycle computers? They can tell you.

The post Why Do We Recycle Computers? And Other Answers to Your E-Cycling Questions appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

Benefits of Recycling Waste

An e-waste management company will take your old electronics hardware and perform electronic recycling and computer board recycling. Recycling electronics waste protects our planet and various resources. It also protects humans. Here are some of the benefits of e-waste recycling:

Recovery of valuable resources

Recycling e-scrap recovers gold, silver, platinum, copper, titanium, lithium, cobalt, aluminum, iron, tin, and fossil fuels from old electronics devices and puts these valuable resources into new electronics products. Even the metals, glass, and plastics in e-waste are reusable.

Saving of electricity

The EPA states that recycling one million laptops saves enough energy to run 3,657 US households for one year.

Pollution reduction

Electronic devices contain toxic heavy metals such as PVC plastic, cadmium and beryllium, mercury, lead, brominated flame retardants, and other hazardous chemicals. These things harm human health, the environment, and contaminate the water supply. This pollution is greatly reduced by e-waste management because recycling does not allow for the dumping of electronics waste into landfills.

Landfill space conservation

One by one, the states in the US are passing laws that demand e-waste management.

Reduced production waste

The Electronics TakeBack Coalition states that it takes 40 pounds of chemicals, 530 pounds of fossil fuel, and 1.5 tons of water to manufacture just one computer and monitor. This means the production process burns 81% of the energy that is associated with each computer – the years spent using them only take 19%.

Job creation

With millions of devices in need of tedious electronic recycling and computer board recycling, there are plenty of e-waste management job openings.

The Valuable Resources Waste Problem

According to blogs.ei.columbia.edu, the value of recoverable materials in global electronics waste in 2016 was estimated to be $64.6 billion. Only about 20% of that was being recycled.

Cell phones are the most frequently discarded electronics item. According to one article, one million cell phones contain 33 pounds of palladium, 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, and 75 pounds of gold.

Reclaiming valuable resources from unwanted electronics is much easier than mining for them. This “urban mining” that e-waste management companies do makes sense. According to a recent study done in China, traditional mining costs 13 times as much as the electronic recycling of things like aluminum, gold, and copper contained in e-waste costs.

The world continues to escalate the use of electronics products, which increases the demand for precious metals and other valuable resources that go into making them. Electronics manufacturers are already experiencing shortages in raw materials.

Electronic Recycling Challenges

• More than half of the world’s collected e-waste is exported to developing nations. The inadequate environmental controls in the recycling companies there allow various kinds of health and environmental problems to form.
• The quality of e-waste is decreasing. Devices are being made smaller and smaller, so they contain few precious metals in them. This has caused some recycling businesses to close.
• Electronics are being made to better protect information than in previous generations of the products. This also makes these items hard for recyclers to get into them to recycle, repair, and offer up for reuse.

The Electronics Recycling Process

Recycling electronics can be difficult, depending on the sophistication of the devices. These products are made with different amounts of plastics, metals, and glass. Also, the process of separating the various materials will vary, depending on what is being recycled and what technologies are being used.

Collection

Recyclers put electronics take-back booths or collection bins in particular places such as in Walmart stores.

Transportation

Recyclers collect and transport the e-waste to recycling facilities.

Shredding, sorting, and separation – The various materials that make up electronics must be cleanly separated so they can be used to make new products.

Recyclers shred the collected devices into pieces as small as 100mm. This facilitates the extraction of iron and steel from everything else through the use of a powerful overhead magnet. Next, mechanical processing separates the copper, aluminum, and circuit boards, leaving mostly plastic and some glass. Water separation technology extracts the glass. Metal remnants are the last items to be separated from the plastics.

Preparation for sale

The raw materials are prepared for sale as raw materials that will be used to make new electronic products.

Choosing an E-Waste Management Company

It is important for the health of humans and the environment that your electronics waste is properly disposed of. Because of the many unscrupulous global dumping operations that present themselves as responsible e-waste recycling companies, you’ll need to ask any prospective recycling partners a series of questions. That is the only way you can be assured of their integrity.

1. Ask the recycling company what their address is
   A responsible recycling business will have facilities where they operate. If the company spokesperson dodges your question regarding the address, his company likely participates in global dumping.
2. Ask to see the recyclers permit to operate
   A legal recycling business would have a permit and be willing and able to show it to you.
3. Ask the company for proof of their commitment to the environment
   Recycling companies all claim to be committed to the environment, but you’ll want to know for sure how committed to the environment the company you are considering actually is. Some sort of proof of their commitment would assure you that the business is likely a responsible recycler. Certifications are a good indication of commitment to a cause. The company should be able to show you certification by either the R2 or the e Stewards EPA-endorsed standard programs.
4. Find recycling companies who educate the public about e-waste
   You want a recycling partner who makes positive impacts on human health and the environment. It would be even better if that partner is part of the solution through education of the public about the proper disposal of electronics waste.
5. Ask how recycler handles data security
   It is critical that sensitive information is destroyed, whether you are recycling customer electronics or your own electronics. Nobody wants their private information shared with others or misused.Ask whether they shred, degauss, or wipe data. Some recyclers will offer you a certificate of hard drive destruction to verify that your personal information was destroyed. You’ll want to make sure that if you are considering a recycler who refurbishes various electronics gadgets that you specify in the contract that all personal information will be wiped from all devices. Get it in writing in the statement of work or in your final contract.
6. Know what you need
   The first thing you need to do is to understand in detail what you need the e-waste company to do. That’s because recycling companies will ask you detailed questions about your recycling requirements. Here is how you prepare:
   1. Consider the sources of e-waste in your facilities
   2. Gauge how much e-waste your facilities produce weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
   3. List the kinds of e-waste that your facilities commonly produce. Are they finished products or mostly accessories? Does the company accept and process the kind of scrap you have?
7. Set up meetings
   Once you have taken a personal inventory, start contacting recyclers. Have local vendors meet with you at your business. If good customer service is important to a company, their spokesperson will want to meet with you and see your facilities. Before they arrive, consider signing a non-disclosure agreement if you think you’ll exchange information with them or give them a tour. Your visitor will ask you what you need, and you’ll have your list prepared.
8. Choose Recycling Businesses that charge favorably
   You will be able to judge a lot about the recycling company by how they charge you. Any problems in this area may indicate that the company cuts corners in the recycling process, behind the scenes. So, see if the company:
   1. Charges you responsibly, not overly concerned about profiting off you
   2. Has a favorable attitude toward negotiating prices
9. Negotiate
   Most recyclers will charge for some kinds of items, but compensate for others. If they charge you, the fees are based on the weight of the materials and what you’re recycling. You may be offered money by the pound for hard drives, but then charged a nominal amount for inkjet printers.You can expect recyclers to tell you what they charge or pay upfront. Sometimes you can negotiate a little. Check the commodity prices often because they fluctuate, affecting the value of the gold, silver, copper, and other metals in your electronic items. The company may haul off your pile of electronics free of charge, but you’ll need to be sure they will consider shipping costs.In the negotiation phase, you may want to ask potential vendors these questions:
   1. Are there items you won’t take?
   2. How much do you pay for laptops, etc.?
   3. How much are your transportation charges?
   4. Would you give me a certificate of destruction or other proof the hard drive was destroyed?
   5. Do you have environmental certifications?
   6. Could you come get individual boxes or pallets or do you only pick up by the truckload?
   7. Do you require a minimum volume?
   8. How often can you come pick up electronics?

About Electronic Recycling and Computer Board Recycling

Telecommunications, electronics, and computer scrap contains the following kinds of circuit boards that recyclers want:

• Aviation circuit boards
• Military circuit boards
• Tablet circuit boards
• Cell phone boards
• Telecommunications and networking equipment boards
• Server and mainframe boards
• Server and mainframe backplanes (pin boards)
• Server and mainframe cards
• Hard drive circuit boards (but no cases or platters)
• Daughter cards, such as expansion, video, and network cards, etc.
• Desktop and laptop motherboards

Other kinds of circuit board scrap include:

• Shredded circuit board scrap
• Motherboard scrap
• E waste-scrap
• Electronic scrap
• Printed circuit board scrap
• Circuit board scrap
• Computer scrap

Recycling companies will likely only take circuit boards that do not have cadmium/beryllium, mercury switches or any batteries. They’ll also won’t want excess metal such as aluminum or copper heat sinks on the items they take in.

Advantage of Using a Recycling Company that Refurbishes Electronics

Some recycling companies may want to specialize in electronic recycling and computer board recycling and not want to deal with whole computers, monitors, hard drives, power supplies, or anything else at all.

But, if you find a company who refurbishes electronic items, you’re in luck because they will want all of the parts. They will not only want your computer CPU, monitor, and keyboard, but they’ll want the power cable, computer mouse, and any other accessories the owner used with it.

They’ll want all of your unwanted technological devices and even some of the batteries used. You can get rid of audio/video equipment, networking equipment, video game consoles, digital converter boxes, cable receivers, satellite receivers. They’ll want CRT, projection, flat screen, plasma, and console TVs too.

Electronics Recycling Laws

As of October of 2019, 25 US states had laws in place that mandated e-waste recycling statewide. Though passed in half of the states, these laws cover 65% of the population. Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, California, and other states have also banned e-waste from landfills. Other states are working toward passing similar laws.

Conclusion

An astonishing 80% of technology items are tossed rather than recycled, even though they contain precious metals. Manufacturers are already running into shortages of the metals they need. Electronics are also filled with harmful toxins, and US states are passing e-waste management laws to correct the problem. Electronic recycling and computer board recycling is part of e-waste management. E waste management companies who also refurbish electronic items accept much more of the unwanted parts and accessories.

The post How to Choose E Waste Management Services that are Right for Your Business appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

In this day and age, computers are a part of nearly everyone’s everyday lives. From gaming PCs and video game consoles to cell phones, TVs, and stereos, nearly everyone has multiple pieces of technology in their homes for vastly different purposes.

One of the downsides of owning such a large amount of technology is its tendency to become outdated very quickly. Even if you are not one to continually upgrade your computer parts or switch over to new audio equipment, you may go through your fair share of electronics in your lifetime.

What’s more, when you are done with old electronics and have upgraded to new ones, these early computers will likely just take up room in your home. Instead of hanging on to old pieces of technology that no longer have any use, bringing your electronics in for recycling is quick and straightforward, giving you the peace of mind of having done something better for both yourself as well as the planet.

There are a wide variety of reasons to properly recycle these types of technology. From reducing your footprint to ridding yourself of these items safely, computer recycling companies provide a highly necessary service in this age of technology. CJD E-cycling makes it easy to recycle your technology and help the environment. Reach out today, help the environment, and minimize your carbon footprint.

How Does E-Waste Hurt Us?

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is quickly becoming a national problem. Studies show that statistically, only 20% of electronics are recycled compared to the 80% that ends up in landfills.

This landfill dump can have lasting adverse effects on the planet, contributing to the presence of more hazardous waste, toxic materials, and effectively tossing raw materials that are still necessary for creating new technologies.

Throwing away electronics rather than retooling them contributes to the need to continually farm for more raw materials rather than simply reusing the materials already incorporated into this old technology.

When something is as convenient and straightforward as choosing to recycle computer parts, it seems the negatives of not doing so far outweigh the convenience of contributing to landfills.

Good for the Planet

This is one of the most apparent reasons to recycle computer parts, but it bears discussion. The fewer computers and electronics that are thrown into landfills, the less careless waste is created.

Due to the rapidly growing world of tech, already worrisome landfills would grow exponentially if they were made to hold the old electronics of the world’s population. These intricately involved machines contain a multitude of parts that will not break down for years to come.

This waste is some of the most easily avoided, provided consumers take just a few easy steps and choose to recycle computer parts rather than throw them away in the garbage.

There simply is no reason to throw these electronics away when they can be reused rather than sit in a landfill. However, there is another, more pressing reason to recycle computer parts rather than throw them into a landfill.

Properly Dispose of Hazardous Materials

Computers utilize a variety of materials that are not hazardous when properly utilized. However, throwing these materials into landfills contributes to a global humanitarian disaster.

In fact, computer recycling works to avoid what is defined as the single most hazardous material dump on the planet. Materials found in computers that are dumped into a landfill can easily infiltrate the soil and cause permanent damage to the earth.

Computers contain materials such as lithium, lead, and mercury – all extremely toxic, mainly when improperly disposed of with many other electronics. When improperly disposed of, this hazardous waste has the potential to harm our ecosystem significantly.

One of the leading causes of air pollution and extremely damaging to human health, e-cycling can actually provide a vital service in terms of helping to save the planet.

Instead, companies that recycle electronics can easily identify parts of your electronics that contain hazardous materials. At times, these parts may simply be reused in order to create another piece of technology, completely negating the need to dispose of these materials.

In other instances, when these parts cannot be salvaged, computer recyclers will work to ensure the materials are properly disposed of without causing harm to the environment.

Parts Can Be Reused

While your old box television was once thought of as a technological marvel, it is considered relatively useless today. However easy it is to forget that complex systems are incorporated into even the simplest of technology, it is essential to remember when it comes to e-cycling.

Many parts of even the most basic of computers can be reused or retooled into more effective versions of themselves, such as graphics and sound cards, DVD and CD drives, hard disks, and more.

These parts are more or less valuable to computer refurbishers who would gladly take them off your hands rather than see them end up in landfills.

Instead of letting old cell phones and boxy televisions pile up in a landfill somewhere, these parts can actually easily be used to create other electronics. As with plastic water bottles that can be reused, so too can even the crudest electronic systems.

E-Cycling Has a Great Effect on the Economy

Although your technology may be outdated now, it is likely that it cost you a fair chunk of change when you first purchased it. Oftentimes, computer recycling services will work to get your technology parts somewhere that they can be reused.

When utilized for refurbished electronics, the resulting product is a less expensive yet equally as effective version of said product.

This allows the market to be flooded with more affordable technology, such as refurbished game systems or televisions that sometimes cost hundreds of dollars less than their original counterparts.

In turn, this keeps the overall cost of electronics down. For example, when a refurbished game system costs roughly $100 less than the original model, it effectively drives the price of the original console down as more and more consumers choose to buy the just as effective and warranty protected refurbished system.

Computer Recycling Supports Your Community

Even better, these products may often be utilized to provide schools and educational programs with more affordable pieces of technology in order to streamline their learning processes.

The e-cycling process also helps provide cost-effective cell phones to low-income families, helping those who would not have otherwise been able to access cutting edge technology stay up to date with current technology.

In fact, not having at least a baseline, or a rudimentary form of technology can severely restrict someone in today’s society. With everything slowly becoming more and more digitized, someone without a cell phone or computer may find themselves unable to track local transportation, make doctor’s appointments, or provide contact information to potential employers.

E-cycling helps to make the technology necessary to live a fulfilled life in the 21st century accessible to everyone, and is of virtually no cost to the person doing the recycling.

E-Cycling Creates Local Jobs

When making the decision to recycle computer parts, you may not immediately think of this economic benefit. However, the larger the market is for e-cycling in your area, the higher the likelihood is that firms will look to employ more help to continue recycling.

With the vast amount of computer waste produced, large-scale operations will likely need a large number of employees.

Even if you may not think this has a direct impact on you, everyone benefits from increased economic stability, especially in their immediate area.

Free Up Some Space in Your Home

Most people have boxes and bags of outdated technology that they have been too afraid to get rid of. Without knowing how to dispose of the technology properly, or reluctance to part with an expertly curated collection of outdated cords, this technology often sits around in our homes.

Not only does this take up valuable storage space in your home, but it is also likely that these pieces of technology are taking up some valuable mental real estate.

As minimalist figureheads such as Marie Kondo have espoused, our mess and our clutter truly do impact our mental state. When you have a clutter of cords or old displays that you are not using, they’re taking up more room than necessary.

What’s more, it is likely that over time, you’ll be moving these pieces of technology from home to home without reason. In fact, likely, you will never touch most of your old technology ever again, especially when you have upgraded to new computers, televisions, and game systems.

While it is unlikely you will fetch a substantial monetary value by selling these electronics, choosing to recycle them will, in some cases, provide you with a tax break instead, giving you a financial incentive to do something good for both the economy and the planet.

Instead, computer recycling can be a great way to free yourself from the weight of too many clunky items weighing you down both physically and mentally.

It Might be Illegal Not To

In fact, in some cities such as New York, the chances are high that you’re either sitting on old technology taking up space or attempting to dump it illegally. While dumping your electronics in landfills isn’t illegal by federal law, over 26 states have effectively mandated electronics recycling.

Understanding the reasoning behind e-cycling, New York City has effectively banned the dumping of computer parts into the regular garbage. Those caught dumping their old technology into the trash are likely to face hefty fines and a guilty conscience.

Instead, making a move to recycle computer parts can give you the peace of mind that you are doing something good for the planet while avoiding possibly incriminating yourself.

Reduces Production of Raw Materials

When computers and electronic parts are reused, as they are almost constantly needed for a large variety of products, they help to save the planet in more ways than one. Because fewer new materials have to be created when they are reused, they help to conserve natural resources.

Statistically, the fewer raw materials that need to be farmed in order to create electronic resources, the less of a need there is to continually mine for raw materials.

Even when these products are not being recycled into new computers and new electronics, they can be used to create other important products. For example, the glass from computer monitors can be recycled into nearly any glass product, as can the plastic from televisions.

Companies that Recycle Computer Parts Do More Than Just Recycle

While these companies work to recycle computer parts as effectively as possible, naturally, not every component of your electronics is recyclable. However, these parts should still not end up in landfills somewhere as they remain detrimental to the environment, especially if they cannot break down.

Instead, companies that recycle computer parts know precisely how to dispose of these materials safely. By first separating these parts properly, these companies make sure to dispose of them accordingly.

For example, hazardous materials are passed off to companies that specialize in safely disposing of these chemicals. Other parts that cannot be recycled as-is are shredded down into smaller pieces and separated by material.

From there, they can either be used to recreate newer versions of their previous selves or be used in entirely new components altogether.

Either way, e-cycling companies know of the best way to dispose of even the materials that will not be recycled, rather than letting them pile up and do permanent harm to the planet.

Recycle Your Computer Parts With A Company That Cares

Not all computer recycling companies are created equally. Some only care about stripping useful materials from used electronics and selling them at a high price.

Instead, you’ll want to be sure you are bringing your old computers and electronics to a company that truly cares about their mission.

CJD E-Cycling is dedicated not only to the mission of recycling used electronics but to reducing waste and giving new life to otherwise used-up electronics. Give your old electronics and new life and make a profound impact on sustainability by properly recycling your old computer parts today.

The post Why It’s Important to Recycle Computer Parts Properly appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

Sometimes, you can resell your old computer for some extra cash. This isn’t always an option though. For instance, if you haven’t upgraded your machine in quite some time, it may be outdated. Furthermore, you could experience technical issues that make it so your machine is no longer salvageable.

However, it is exceptionally important that you properly dispose of your PC when you have deemed it time to do so. There are several companies, such as CJD E-Cycling, that will recycle your unwanted technology for you.

What is E-Waste Recycling? 

E-waste recycling is a form of computer recycling. When disposing of items, there are often restrictions on items such as electronics and batteries, as they can be hazardous to the health and safety of the general public when they begin to decompose. Therefore, proper decomposition and recycling of electronic materials are exceptionally important – especially as technology is becoming more and more an integrated part of our society.

However, despite waste laws and regulations on the disposal of electronic devices, many individuals may feel that they are not doing any lasting harm by simply throwing out their used computers. What these individuals don’t realize, however, is that there are a plethora of benefits to recycling your used computer that many personal and retail technology investors may not be aware of.

What Takes Place During E-Waste Recycling?

In many cases, approximately 90% of all electronics are fully recyclable. This means that the various components of the machinery are broken down. The components are then either reused or properly recycled. Potentially hazardous materials are removed and sent to proper facilities in order to ensure that dangerous chemicals are disposed of without harm to the environment.

Pieces of the machinery that can be recycled are often used in a variety of ways. For instance, the plastic casing of a laptop may be repurposed – it can be recycled like normal, common plastic and used for different projects. It can also be sent back to computer factories and reused if in good condition for refurbished machines. Components of the machine itself, such as the motherboard and processors, may be repaired by professionals and resold as refurbished parts for individuals to purchase, or used to replace broken pieces in other machines.

In some cases, computer recycling means upgrading a computer and donating it to local facilities. Donated computers and other electronics may be used in homeless shelters, schools, libraries, prisons, and adult education centers. Often, this technology is used to support low-income individuals in need, as well as educational programs that assist individuals in instances where they need to rehabilitate themselves after a tragedy, addiction, or other misfortune.

Of course, components submitted for e-waste recycling that cannot be used, for one reason or another, are disposed of by professionals. This process ensures that any unsafe chemicals are broken down into non-toxic components before being deposited in landfills or other waste management facilities.

Benefits of Computer Recycling

Throughout the United States, individuals campaign for more active recycling awareness. Typically, when individuals think of recycling, however, they think of your basic recyclables – plastic, paper, metal, and similar materials. What many don’t realize is that e-waste recycling, though it may seem unnecessary, is an important category of recycling that not only benefits the environment but the safety and overall health of the human population. Furthermore, in some cases, recycled electronics can be used for other projects, making them a valuable asset for many individuals in our society.

There is a slew of benefits that can be derived from computer recycling and other e-waste management that many recycling communities may not consider. Below, we discuss the various benefits that can come from e-waste recycling.

Conservation of the Environment

When you purchase an electronic device, or even something as simple as a package of batteries, you may notice that they contain a disposal warning. Typically, it says something about proper disposal due to toxic waste. What many individuals fail to realize when they purchase an electronic device is the proper disposal process.

Many electronic devices are made of materials that are toxic to the environment, such as flame retardants, zinc, chromium, lead, and barium. These chemicals – especially items such as lead – can be exceptionally harmful to humans and other animals. Individuals who work in landfills and waste management facilities may be exposed to these chemicals, which, if left untreated, can be fatal. Therefore, it is important to ensure that these materials, instead of being deposited in a landfill, are properly disposed of at a computer recycling facility.

Furthermore, these materials are often not decomposable – meaning that they further negatively impact the environment by contributing to the filling of landfills. While, in some cases, the solution to overfilled landfills involves the burning of waste, these materials are often dangerous to burn and can cause chemical reactions, causing long-term issues for the environment and potentially harming individuals who are tasked with these duties.

Depositing of electronics in landfills, furthermore, leads to pollution. As the metals and chemicals included erode in the landfills, they release chemicals into the environment. Some release gases, which contribute to air pollution – a leading factor of global warming in the United States. In other cases, the chemicals are released into the ground, inevitably running into the groundwater. Contaminated groundwater can lead to boil water notices. This is due to the fact contaminated water is deadly, in many cases, and can lead to issues such as lead poisoning and other illnesses.

With this in mind, proper e-waste recycling is exceptionally important. Computer recycling facilities ensure that electronics are properly disposed of and reduce the number of potentially toxic chemicals being released into the environment. Given the rise in water toxicity issues throughout the United States, as well as the overwhelming e-waste issues reported by many public landfills, this is an important aspect of proper waste management that should not be considered as optional, but necessary to maintaining human health and environmental integrity.

Community Development and Support

As previously mentioned, in many cases computer recycling is similar to a new and relatively popular trend known as upcycling, in which individuals take previously used items and turn them into something similar, but new. In many cases, recycled computers may be repaired and reused for different purposes. While this may seem like a relatively simplistic job, in many cases it can be a long term project that requires multiple individuals to successfully complete.

For instance, the initial repairs will need to be done by certified technicians who are familiar with the technology at hand and able to repair it. This may be as simple as the installation of new computer components, or it may mean harddrive and operation system repairs. Furthermore, broken components may be sent to the aforementioned professionals to be repaired and refurbished if they are deemed repairable.

Individuals who are not experienced with technology may be under the impression that work like this is simple, but depending upon the repairs and installations required, skilled engineers may be necessary to properly repair parts alongside individuals how are experienced in PC building and device management. The need for these roles, as created by computer recycling, creates jobs on a local and national level, depending on the type of e-waste recycling taking place.

This job creation is a great asset in boosting our economy and workforce, as every day, individuals are purchasing new electronics and replacing outdated technology. For instance, big businesses often upgrade their computer systems every few years – meaning dozens, if not hundreds of machines have the potential to be recycled every year. These machines are often donated or given away in sales, purchased by local libraries, schools, and community resource officers to provide essential – because, in today’s day and age, computers, and computer skills are essential – workforce training for individuals who may be in need.

Other Benefits

While the primary benefits lie in job creation, the ability to protect the environment and the development of communities through reused electronics, there are other benefits to recycling computers that many individuals may not realize. For instance, some recycled computers are used for scientific purposes, such as research and study of technology.

Old computers can often be disassembled and used to help develop new technology. This is primarily due to the fact that in many cases, it is more affordable to reuse older technology than attempt to purchase new and current technology when attempting to develop and understand technological advances. For instance, experimentation on electric current and energy conservation can often be completed using recycled technology, making it a valuable resource for scientists.

Other benefits include the ability to use the chemical decomposition of old technology to understand how too develop technology moving forward that is more environmentally friendly. Scientists are able to study the chemicals that are dispersed when technology is disposed of, both properly and improperly, and determine the best course of action to ensure that future technology is developed in a way that requires less toxic chemicals to be used.

Research completed on used technology can also help scientists determine the best course of action for the removal of chemicals that are deposited into the environment by technology that has not been disposed of through proper computer recycling methods. This is important, as, despite the growing campaign to encourage individuals to properly dispose of their used technology through e-waste recycling, plenty of technology still finds its way into landfills annually. Understanding the best ways to manage this sort of waste and the hazardous chemicals created by these products when they are disposed of improperly is important to ensuring the integrity of our environment moving forward.

Of course, an additional benefit of computer recycling is the cost factor associated with it. In some cases, if you have a plethora of old technology cluttering your home or office, some e-waste recycling facilities will purchase your used technology from you for a fair price. This is a win-win situation typically speaking – they are able to take your used technology off of your hands, and you gain a profit, no matter how small. Who doesn’t love a little extra cash, anyway? Knowing that the technology you are recycling will be put to good use is a further additional benefit!

Where Can I Recycle My Computer?

With all of the benefits presented for computer recycling, there are few reasons not to recycle your used technology. Many companies will assist you in the proper recycling – and, if necessary, data destruction – of used technology. Companies such as CJD E-Cycling will assist in the proper disposal of your computer at limited to no cost to you, depending on the services you are looking for.

It is important, initially, to ensure that the company you are choosing to use for your computer recycling needs is involved in ethical recycling. Essentially, it is most important to ensure that your computer is being repurposed and recycled properly – make sure you are not providing your technology to a company who will, for instance, use any data left on your machine. Furthermore, make sure that the company you are choosing is going to ensure no hazardous materials make their way to public landfills. Companies such as CJD are committed to ensuring that all machines in our care are disposed of in responsible ways, as we feel that maintaining our community and environment is of the utmost importance.

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As a family-owned recycling company, CJD E-Cycling is committed to providing our customers with the absolute best service each and every day. With electronic waste now being banned from landfills in Illinois, we realize our customers need an easy and convenient way to dispose of their old computers, televisions, and other products in a safe and efficient manner, and that’s where we come into play. By offering our customers numerous services, we make it easier than ever to recycle products that before would have taken up valuable space in landfills.

Bulk Computer Equipment Sales

While recycling is the main part of our business, we have also recently started an E-store that specializes in selling refurbished electronics including computers, flat screen televisions, laptop computers, and much more. By doing computer and flat screen TV repair on certain products, we can not only give customers the opportunity to purchase these products at much lower prices, but also keep these products from finding their way into landfills or being discarded too soon.

Data Destruction

Along with computer and flat screen TV repair, we also provide safe and secure data destruction services to our customers. Completed onsite here at our recycling facility, our employees are trained in the latest and most effective procedures that allow them to ensure all data is destroyed from any computers or other electronics that may be brought to our facility. To give our customers added peace of mind, we are glad to provide a Certificate of Destruction, complete with itemized documentation, upon request. Also upon request, we offer UPC tracking of hard drives and devices, guaranteeing customers a safe and secure experience.

Tailored Pickup

As an added service to our customers, we are glad to provide tailored pickup services for virtually any items. Tailored specifically to the needs of individual clients, we guarantee sensitive material is managed securely and confidentially, while also providing on-site packaging solutions that will fit whatever needs our customers may have.

Cultivate Recycling Program

With our computer and flat screen TV repair enabling us to refurbish numerous electronic products, we also work with customers to establish and maintain a recycling program that fits the needs of their business. We develop, evaluate, and execute a sustainability package unique to each client, making sure they can convert retired IT equipment into a source of revenue.

By always putting our customers first, we here at CJD E-Cycling are committed to not only making sure recycling is easier than ever, but also to providing as many services as possible to make recycling a regular part of everyone’s lives.

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