Electrical Waste Disposal

E-Waste Recycling

As the use and subsequent disposal of electronics continues to increase, the need for sustainable electronic waste recycling for all is abundantly clear. Corporations can partner with a company like Arrow Value Recovery to handle their IT asset disposition, and our resources focus on reuse first, with e-waste recycling as a last resort. However, many consumers and small businesses are not aware of or do not have access to sustainable options for their retired electronic equipment. This challenge has created a global e-waste crisis.

Here’s what you need to know about e-waste and how to recycle your electronics in a sustainable way.

E-Waste Defined

What is e-waste? The Global E-Waste Monitor defines e-waste as “all items of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts that have been discarded by its owner as waste without the intent of reuse.”

How Much E-Waste Is Disposed of Every Year?

As the use of electric and electronic devices has increased year over year, the amount of e-waste generated annually has also increased, and is expected to continue rising 4%-5% every year. In 2014 alone, 41.8 million tons — or 83.6 billion pounds — of e-waste was generated worldwide.

Why Can’t E-Waste Be Thrown Away?

There are many reasons not to throw away e-waste. Chief among them is concern for the environment. Mobile phones and other forms of electronics contain hazardous components such as cadmium and mercury that can be dangerous to the environment if allowed to leach into the soil and water or disperse into the air if the e-waste is incinerated.

Another primary concern regarding the recycling of e-waste is the protection of data and confidential information. Smartphone data isn’t easily erased and may contain a great deal of private information. Other electronics such as printers and routers also contain data that must be deliberately erased before being discarded.

How Can Corporations Extend the Useful Life of Electronics and Reduce E-Waste?

Arrow Value Recovery is a global professional providing IT asset recovery solutions to large enterprise organizations. Our team of professionals will determine if a particular device, such as a mobile phone, laptop, or server, can be reused or refurbished and either redeployed back into the organization, remarketed, or donated for the most sustainable reuse options.

In some cases, electronic equipment like printers or monitors cannot be reused in their entirety. In these situations, we are often able to break down the equipment and recover parts that are still valuable and can be reused elsewhere.

Occasionally, electronic equipment cannot be reused, remarketed, donated, or dismantled for components. In these cases, Arrow Value Recovery is able to ensure that the electronics are compliantly recycled and are not disposed of in ways that could potentially impact the environment or compromise your company’s data security.

When your company’s IT assets are no longer needed. We can help you find value in your IT assets or dispose of them in a secure, environmentally friendly way, all while protecting your brand.