Many years ago, we had not even heard about electronic recycling and we thought that E-waste could cause such a humongous effect on the environment if left untreated. Now when the carbon footprint is so huge, we are finding it too difficult to find ways to recycle it. Many companies have started to use products recycled from landfills to reduce the impact of harmful gases and radiation on the environment. Many companies like ERI provide services for local electronic recycling to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thus preserving the environment from adverse effects of E-waste.
What is E-Waste?
Any consumer or commercial electronic product that has reached the end of its useful life is called E-waste. This waste usually ends up in landfills, creating harmful radiation and greenhouse gases. Nowadays companies provide exchange facilities for old mobiles or electronic gadgets to reduce this waste to end up in landfills and causes solid as well as radiation pollution. This waste usually contains metals like mercury, cadmium, lead, barium, lithium, polybrominated flame retardants, etc. These metals can cause severe damage to the brain, skeletal system, kidney, liver, heart, etc. Electronic recycling is important to minimize the effect of harmful metals and radiation on all living beings.
Hazards of Untreated E-Waste
Untreated E-waste can cause harmful effects on air, land, groundwater, etc. Some of the main issues caused by E-waste are:
1. Air Pollution
E-waste when not recycled, usually ends up in landfills, from where it is taken for disposal. incineration is the most commonly used method for solid waste disposal. Incinerators cause deadly smoke as well as poisonous gases, which when introduced into the environment can lead to severe respiratory issues. Also, these gases when reaching the earth's surface due to rain can cause land pollution and groundwater contamination.
2. Groundwater Pollution
When it rains, the harmful gases introduced into the environment due to incineration lead to groundwater contamination. This water reaches the lakes, rivers, and drains, causing the fish to survive in this water. When fish is ingested, harmful metals like mercury and cadmium are also ingested with it. It leads to deadly skin diseases as well as cancer and other chronic diseases. Alkaline battery recycling is very important as the lithium leached out of it can cause cancer to humans and the death of aquatic life.
3. Soil Pollution
E-waste is mostly composed of nonbiodegradable things, that take thousands of years to decompose. When electronic waste is left in the soil for a long time, it causes harmful substances to leach out into the soil. This soil can spread, causing harmful impacts on wildlife, marine life, and crops.
Benefits of Recycling E-waste
E-waste has huge advantages if recycled properly. It reduces carbon footprint on the planet thus leading to a sustainable environment. Many of the materials used in electronics can be recycled which are:
- Metals
- Plastics
- Glass
- Mercury
- Batteries
- Circuit boards
Many
recycling companies are there that provide all-around solutions to
all the E-waste related needs. These companies ensure that all
E-waste related issues are addressed on a single platform. Services
provided by them are:
- local electronic recycling
- alkaline battery recycling
- data destruction
All
About ERI
ERI is entitled to recycle, refurbish, or responsibly de-manufacture any E-waste using practices that are environment friendly. They believe in People. Planet. Privacy. They also deal with data destruction services to provide safety and privacy to the user. It is recognized by the U.S. government for its efficiency and environment-friendly practices. ERI is the only organization in the world that is NAID and e-Stewards certified, which is the highest possible standard for E-waste recycling.
The
services offered by ERI are:
IT and Electronics Asset Disposition
Electronic recycling
Data Destruction
Data centre and decommissioning
Remarking
Logistics
Recycling kits
ERI has an
international network in 46 countries, with over 100 certified
facilities for global coverage of clients. It has received the
highest customer rating score in the Compliance Standards’ in the
2024 ITAD Vendor Reputation Survey. It has been recommended for a
grant award by the U.S. Department of Energy in Consumer Electronics
Recycling.
ERI has mastered processing both data-bearing and non-bearing assets for any organization while ensuring 100% data destruction, reducing the impact on the environment, and maximizing asset recovery value. ERI is known for its creativity and innovation to meet the needs of a client.
ERI tends to teach the value of the circular economy, sustainability, and hardware security.
Conclusion
The responsibility to create a sustainable environment lies in our hands where every step of us will either cause adverse or positive effects on the environment. Companies like ERI provide 360° solutions to all needs of e-waste recycling. Their agenda is to work for people, the planet, and privacy by doing complete date destruction along with recycling useful metals and components. Now when the world is moving toward EV than conventional fuels, the impact on the environment will be huge. The use of lithium batteries in EVs will pose a huge threat to the environment if left untreated or non-recycled. Alkaline battery recycling service is also provided by ERI to ensure that nothing is left unused or untreated in the environment. So the solution to being a responsible and aware citizen lies in our hands. Let's shake hands to keep nature liveable for all.
