(Newswire.net — November 23, 2020) — In 2016, the United States accumulated 500 million tons of e-waste, and by 2021 is expected to surpass 700 million tons. As volumes continue to rise, it is imperative that both individuals and businesses look for new ways to dispose of their once vital pieces of electronic equipment. According to nationwide electronics recycling leader R2 Recycling, here are the top five reasons to recycle business electronics:
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Ensuring Data Security
Recycling business electronics ensures that all hard drives and other media will be 100 percent wiped clean, or (if necessary) physically destroyed, in order to ensure data security. The importance of completely scrubbing all data during the recycling process cannot be understated. Even the smallest amount of personal, sensitive, proprietary or confidential information can lead to costly and stressful cybercrime if it falls into the wrong hands.
“At our firm, we take data security extremely seriously and it is our number one priority,” commented a spokesperson from R2 Recycling. “For example, we utilize technology that is certified by the U.S. Department of Defense for military-grade data destruction. This technology is effective and efficient, and it also alerts us to situations when a hard drive fails to complete a wipe. In those cases, we physically destroy the drive. We can also provide physical destruction of media at a business’s location.”
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Protecting the Environment (Part 1)
Electronic waste (commonly referred to as e-waste) does not biodegrade. If not properly recycled, it seeps a wide range of toxic components such as cadmium, lithium, mercury, barium, polybrominated flame retardants, and polyvinyl chloride into various surfaces. When they enter the groundwater system, they adversely affect humans, animals and plants.
While electronic waste represents about two percent of the trash in landfills across the U.S., it generates about 70 percent of overall toxic waste. If all businesses responsibly recycled their electronics by working with a reputable recycling firm, the long-term benefit to the environment would be game-changing.
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Protecting the Environment (Part 2)
Many business electronics that have been put out to pasture or are simply no longer needed or wanted such as fax machines, monitors, laptops, computers, and so on do not necessarily need to end up being repurposed into something else. Instead, they can be repaired.
“Businesses that recycle electronic items do not just keep them out of landfills – they also give those items a second and possibly even a third and fourth life,” commented a spokesperson from R2 Recycling. “This means fewer items need to be produced, which is good for the environment now and into the future.”
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Following the Law
It has already been highlighted that recycling business electronics is the safe and ethical thing to do. However, in many jurisdictions, it is also the legal thing to do which is another way of saying that dumping e-waste is against the law and transgressors face steep fines.
“Currently, 25 states have some kind of e-waste legislation on the books,” commented a spokesperson from R2 Recycling. “For example, in New Jersey where our company is headquartered, it has been illegal since 2011 to dump e-waste at the curb or in a conventional garbage bin. And even in states where e-waste laws are not yet in effect or less stringent, the reputation damage inflicted on a business that is caught dumping e-waste can be severe and prolonged. Research has found that 87 percent of consumers have a more positive image of a company that demonstrates environmental and social responsibility.”
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Ease and Simplicity
Last but certainly not least, recycling electronic business equipment is very easy. Businesses can simply drop items off at a facility (such as the one operated in Lakewood, New Jersey by R2 Recycling), or they can arrange for a pick-up.
“We also make things easier for businesses by dropping off e-waste recycling bins and then picking them up once they’ve been filled,” commented a spokesperson from R2 Recycling. “We can also arrange and manage collection events, which are very popular and effective with towns and municipalities.”