The Ultimate Guide to E-Waste

Unusable electronic products are referred to as e-waste or electronic waste. This ranges from undesired, broken, or expired gadgets that have reached the end of their lifespan. Regarding e-waste disposal, recycling is the most efficient and eco-friendly solution; with electronic devices skyrocketing over the past decade, disposing of them in a landfill releases hazardous waste and toxic chemicals into the environment. Starr Dumpsters can help with safe electronic waste removal, preventing environmental pollution and the subsequent effects.

Whether at work or home, we rely on electronic devices for various activities, resulting in the production of e-waste. The United States recycled only 17.4% of electronic material in 2019, which is evident we are endangering the planet. To effectively dispose of electronic material, knowing what falls under this category is vital.

Examples of E-Waste

The most common example includes small and large household appliances, such as coffee makers, fryers, and food processors. Large household appliances include refrigerators, freezers, AC units, and washing machines. Other types of electronic waste found in homes include sports equipment and toys, usually in a landfill, and other debris from your home.

Aside from e-waste produced at home, other electronic waste types include medical and consumer equipment, office and lighting equipment, and ICT equipment. All these contain parts that can be recycled, such as plastic, metal, glass, batteries, hard discs, mercury, and circuit boards. Again, we can provide you with a dumpster rental to ease e-waste disposal and haul it away to a recycling facility.

Recycling Steps

The first step is electronic waste removal and transporting the materials to a recycling facility. The waste is sorted manually and shredded into manageable pieces. Once all the batteries, fluorescent light, and toner cartridges are shredded or crushed by hand, the dust is extracted, whereby small pieces are spread evenly on the conveyor belt. The dust is disposed of in an eco-friendly manner, preventing further pollution of the environment.

The next step involves removing iron and steel using an overhead magnet, and water separation technology is used to separate glass and plastic. The final step is recycling the sorted materials by selling and reusing them for different purposes.

How to Dispose of Electronic Waste: Global Perspective

Did you know that only 10% of the world’s e-waste is recycled? The other 90% ends up illegally traded or burned. Electronic waste contains poisonous chemicals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and beryllium that cause various health complications and environmental pollution. Poor management of e-waste causes these chemicals to end up in the earth, affecting our air, soil, and water.

In 2021, the estimated amount of electronic waste was nearly 53 million metric tons, indicating the need for better and more efficient disposal techniques. The first step to disposing of electronic waste is ensuring safe removal, and we have the best dumpster rentals for the job. The world is shifting to more environmental-friendly solutions, and you can play a significant role by reducing your carbon footprint through recycling. Contact us at Starr Dumpsters and schedule a consultation with our representatives to learn more about electronic waste removal and disposal.