How Are Computers Recycled?

We know that e-recycling is the recycling of electronics, and we know that e-recycling is good, but what is the process for e-recycling? When you give a certified e-recycler something like a computer how is that computer recycled? We can walk you through the process and help you understand our methods.

Reuse is the Most Important Step in E-Recycling

If you can reuse something as something else, that is the best way to recycle anything. Taking old plastic containers and using them as parts storage is going to be better than throwing that thing in the recycling bin. The same is true for computers, but it’s hard to do that yourself. If you could use the computer in a different capacity, you wouldn’t be exploring e-recycling it in the first place.

Read More: How to Secure Unused IT Equipment

That’s why it becomes our first step in the e-recycling process. If components of a computer can be reused whether it’s a power supply, video card, or some other component, then we can remarket that asset. We will never do this with a data device, instead skip to a later part in the process for the security of your data.

Remove Hazards

Things like batteries and even ink or toner can wreak havoc on machinery, cause chemical spills, or even start fires. We take the time to remove any hazardous materials so that they can be recycled or disposed of properly.

Is E-Recycling Better for the Environment?

Shredding E-Waste

This may sound almost wasteful or haphazard, but it’s a very finely tuned process that tears apart everything that is to be e-recycled making it easier to sort. This is also where your hard drives end up. Though we do provide other data destruction services, such as overwriting which enables re-use, and degaussing, which destroys the device but leaves it physically intact, physical destruction is the best method for data security.

Sorting the Shredded Materials

Once everything is shredded, the sorting process continues. Much of e-recycling is actually an extended sorting process. During each step, we are sorting to some degree. Whether we are trying to find components that can be reused or finding hazardous material, but once the e-waste is shredded, we begin sorting the commodities themselves.

With a wide variety of methods, we have things like iron, steel, copper, aluminum, and circuit board materials all separated. With stuff like plastic remaining, we further remove any trace amounts of metals before having that plastic recycled.

Once you think about it, there is an intense number of materials present in just an everyday computer. This is why e-waste has to be handled differently than just regular recyclables. The process is complicated and involves a lot of moving parts all to ensure that everything gets reused or recycled to the best of our ability.

With everything sorted, we can send the commodities out to other processors or manufacturers that specialize in those materials. They will turn that e-waste scrap that was once your old computer into new electronics, building materials, appliances, and more.

Get a Quote on E-Recycling Services for Your Business

If you need e-recycling services for your business, then Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction is here for you. We offer e-recycling, data destruction, and IT asset remarketing, and we do it all Nationwide. Reach out to us for a quote on your e-recycling job today!

Categorized in: E-Recycle