Electronic waste is an ongoing issue that continues to grow as technology evolves, and the root of the issue is improper disposition due to a lack of knowledge on the subject. Technology is such an integral part of daily life that upgrades are now a necessity, leaving hundreds of thousands of retired electronic devices for disposal. The problem is not many know exactly what to do with unwanted IT assets.
Few businesses have disposition plans in place and those who do often turn to landfills or incinerators to dispose of their old IT equipment. Landfills and incineration are popular methods of e-waste disposal due to convenience, out of sight out of mind, but many are unaware of the detrimental effects these disposal methods can have on the environment.
One of the most common places to dispose of electronics is in landfills, which might have been a safe disposal method if not for the toxic chemicals that leak into the soil. Electronics are made with precious metals such as gold, silver, mercury, lead, platinum, and aluminum. These metals contain toxic chemicals that leak into the soil and contaminate the groundwater and surrounding water supply. As a result, residents nearby could ingest the polluted water and develop serious health issues.
Many have turned to incinerators in order to prevent pollution, but the toxic chemicals will only pollute the air rather than the groundwater when electronics are burned. In 2019, a study was conducted on illegal e-waste burning which determined that the e-waste burning had significantly contributed to the high levels of air pollution at the three sites monitored. These findings were associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular morbidity amongst the residents of the third site, indicating that the health issue may have been the result of long-term exposure to air pollution from illegal incineration.
Retired IT assets can also end up piled in storage closets or left in warehouses, but this could potentially be just as dangerous. Most electronics nowadays are manufactured with Lithium-Ion batteries, which are known to explode when damaged. Many warehouse fires occur due to thermal runaways that cause chemical fires. The longer any devices containing LIBs are left in warehouses or even landfills, the higher the risk of potential damage resulting in a fire.
If landfills and incineration are too dangerous, what option are we left with? IT asset disposition facilities such as HOBI International Inc. collect old, retired, and outdated electronics and ensure that they are properly disposed of in a safe, eco-friendly manner via recycling. ITAD enterprises prioritize the environment and work to reduce the pollution and contamination produced by e-waste. HOBI specifically focuses on maximizing economic return and mitigating potential environmental liability. HOBI is R2v3, RIOS, and ISO-14001 certified, ensuring all equipment is processed under full legislative compliance.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 877-814-262, or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.