E-Waste – or electronic waste – includes things like TVs, computers, mobile phones and DVD players. One of the main contributors to e-waste is outdated equipment such as old computers. With new technology being developed and released to the public at an increasing rate, many individuals and companies are feeling the pressure to keep up to date with the latest and greatest in product innovation. This means that millions of new computers are bought each year, leaving the old ones waiting to be repurposed or disposed of.
E-Waste in Businesses
Damaged or outdated electronics can cause a large headache for businesses especially, as there are usually significant quantities of equipment that are replaced at one time. This means that, at the time of replacement, the amount of surplus hardware held by the company increases dramatically. Donating or selling this kind of e-waste is not always an option, and safe disposal needs to be arranged.
Disposing of E-Waste
Although electronics are primarily made up of generally harmless materials such as aluminium, copper and lithium, some of the components also have the capacity to be toxic and environmentally damaging.
Switches, circuit boards and semiconductors can be found in most e-waste. These are generally made of hazardous materials such as:
- Mercury
- Sulphur
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Chromium
As such, e-Waste needs to be disposed of responsibly, and this is best left to the professionals. We can help you dispose of e-waste, and are committed to sustainable practices.
