According to a recent United Nations report, the world produced over 137 billion pounds of e-waste in 2023, the equivalent of over 685 fully loaded Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. Less than a quarter of documented e-waste was disposed of properly. The e-waste crisis is increasing exponentially due to rapid technological advancement, and responsible IT asset management and disposition are more critical than ever to protect the environment from hazardous waste. With an ITAD partner, companies can experience a number of environmental benefits, including e-waste recycling.
Electronics are used every day by millions of consumers across the globe. Still, only a small portion is responsibly disposed of, leading to a national e-waste crisis as hazardous waste continues to flood the stream.
Electronics are made with precious metals like gold, silver, copper, platinum, and iron. These metals leak toxic chemicals after long periods, soaking into the soil and polluting groundwater. Eventually, this will contaminate the surrounding drinking water and potentially result in fatal health issues for those who have ingested the contaminated water. Another popular method is incineration, which many turn to to avoid potential environmental pollution, but incineration also causes pollution. Rather than soaking into the groundwater, the chemicals pollute the air when electronics are burned and can also cause health issues for those living nearby.
Often, IT assets pile up in storage closets or any available space and become an afterthought, but this could be just as dangerous and potentially lead to a battery fire. Lithium-ion batteries are found in most electronics used daily and are known to cause chemical fires when damaged. Many warehouse fires occur due to thermal runaways, and the longer any devices containing LIBs are left in warehouses or even landfills, the higher the risk of potential damage resulting in a fire.
Few businesses have disposition plans for retired IT assets, which can lead to poor e-waste management. Electronics recycling is the only environmentally friendly method of e-waste disposal that truly protects the environment and mitigates pollution. ITAD providers like HOBI partner with companies seeking to recycle their old, retired, or unwanted IT equipment and ensure it is disposed of properly. HOBI provides additional services for value maximization, including onsite data erasure for data security, repair and remarketing opportunities, and customizable reverse logistics services.
Ensuring proper IT asset disposition is not just a responsibility but a critical step in safeguarding the environment. By partnering with an ITAD provider, enterprises can play a significant role in keeping hazardous materials out of the waste stream. This partnership can also be a strategic move toward achieving their environmental ESG goals, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.