The average lifespan of some of our most-used electronics barely exceeds a couple of years, and the result is vast quantities of electronic waste – also known as e-waste. This type of waste describes electronic products that are discarded, no longer work or are obsolete, and it accounts for a large proportion of overall landfill waste.
Items such as computer equipment, microwaves, TVs and washing machines, plus much more, fall under this category. But one way to minimise the amount of e-waste winding up in landfills is to recycle your devices properly.
Why is e-recycling important?
In the UK, the government estimates that only 12% of electronics are reused, meaning that the bulk of our electronics either go to landfills, are incinerated or are exported to other countries.
However, not only does this create a negative impact in terms of the level of carbon emissions produced but most electronic components contain toxic elements such as lead, mercury and beryllium, which are harmful to the environment, wildlife and human health. For this reason, the way in which we dispose of electronics is essential.
Electronic devices also contain valuable elements that can be repurposed, including silver, gold and copper. Reclaiming these elements reduces the need to source more materials and lowers energy consumption as a result.
There’s also the issue of data protection. Whether you’re a business or an individual, you’re likely to have IT devices that hold large amounts of sensitive data and simply deleting this information isn’t enough to wipe it completely from the hard drive. In these instances, the data on your devices needs to be destroyed professionally before being recycled.
How does the process work?
The process of recycling electronics varies depending on the materials and the technology used. Once your electronics are collected and transported to the recycling centre, the materials need to be separated for processing. This is a core element of efficient recycling and a foundation of the process.
The waste is then shredded, and the plastics and metals are separated out, using strong magnets which remove ferrous metals and electronic currents to remove non-metallic metals. Plastic is categorised using a range of methods, including density separation and infrared light for repurposing into other products.
How can e-recycling be used?
E-recycling makes use of these materials in a variety of ways, and it’s an incredibly valuable tool in the world’s sustainability efforts. The electronic devices and appliances you recycle can be turned into a range of other items, depending on what they’re made of initially.
Strong plastics can be recycled to be used in pipe fittings, car bumpers and musical instruments, while copper can be transformed into winding wires for new electronic products. Your old games console can create computer casings, car components, while the precious metals in circuit boards can be turned into components for smartphones or even recycled into jewellery.
At Priority WEEE, we specialise in handling e-waste professionally and responsibly. From IT recycling and data destruction to fridge and battery recycling, we offer a range of services to ensure your e-waste is recycled properly. Contact Priority WEEE today to find out more about e-waste management.
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