It’s in the interest of all businesses to establish an effective recycling programme, but what many companies don’t realise is that in addition to doing more for the planet, it can also save them money.
Recycling sets a strong example for employees to reduce their waste and ultimately reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint, but a thriving recycling industry also creates jobs, promotes economic development and can help to reduce the cost of mining for new materials for technology equipment. Here are some of the ways you can save money through e-recycling.
Reduces waste disposal costs
Disposing of e-waste can be expensive, since many materials need to be disposed of in a specific way. Electronics are tricky, as they can pose a threat to the environment if they’re not disposed of in the right way – electrical items that can’t be reused are classified as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) which can leak hazardous chemicals if thrown into landfills. For busy companies, time is money, and finding the time to remove this waste can impact productivity. Recycling companies often charge less to take away waste for recycling than it would cost a business to send that waste to landfill, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendlier solution.
Old devices can be sold
If you are simply upgrading electronics for the latest model, there’s no need to throw your old electronics away. They can be sold on to companies for a profit, since the resale market is thriving and more people are looking to save money by buying secondhand. Electronics also contain many valuable materials, including gold and copper, which can be repurposed for new devices. What’s more, larger appliances can be given to charity and are often tax deductible as a result.
Saves businesses the risk of data theft
If electronics aren’t disposed of properly, there is a risk that they can fall into the wrong hands and your data can be stolen. It’s an issue that so many businesses aren’t aware of, but one that can be extremely costly to resolve. When you choose an e-recycling company to dispose of your electronics, you can request data destruction as part of the process so you can be completely confident that your data is safely removed to avoid any threat to your business.
Keeps the cost of goods down
As natural resources become more finite, the cost of producing and distributing products will naturally increase. But recycling helps to keep those resources more available and keeps the cost of devices more stable. When you choose to recycle the electronics you own, you’re contributing to these efforts to keep the cost of items down in the future which will save you money when it comes to replacing those devices. Recycling is also cheaper than incineration and landfills, which saves communities money in the long-term.
Final thoughts
Establishing a good recycling system can take some time, and maybe a change of attitude, but the benefits far outweigh your efforts. The good news is that when you take sustainability seriously, it can have financial benefits for your business as well as contributing to a cleaner environment. To learn more about e-recycling and the benefits it can offer, why not get in touch with our team today?