This year’s annual E-Waste Day took place over the weekend, a global initiative to recycle electronic household waste no longer in use, such as e-scooters, e-bikes, laptops, old smartphones, tablets, smoke detectors, and loose cables,, but responsible IT asset disposition doesn’t have to be restricted to a single day. ITAD facilities such as HOBI collect retired IT hardware year-round to ensure they are disposed of properly via electronics recycling.
IT asset disposition is often an afterthought and prolonged until equipment piles up in corners and takes up valuable storage space. Most of the time, this occurs due to the lack of knowledge about responsibly disposing unwanted IT assets. Nobody knows what to do with them, so they are left indefinitely in drawers or empty rooms.
Improper disposal of IT assets is hazardous to the environment, potentially leading to a chemical fire and even cost remarketing opportunities. Many consumers throw away electronics with the rest of their trash because of the convenience, but researching proper disposal methods could save others from toxic exposure.
Precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are used to manufacture new electronics. When these metals are left in landfills for long periods, the chemicals inside these metals are absorbed into the soil and eventually contaminate groundwater. This will eventually filter into the surrounding drinking water and become a health hazard for those living in surrounding areas. When not recycled, electronic waste is also taken to incinerators, which can release harmful gasses into the atmosphere and pollute the air.
Lithium-ion batteries can be found in many everyday electronics, but the risk comes with damage to the battery when improperly handled. When LIBs are damaged in a way that leads to a punctured battery, a thermal runaway can occur and spark a chemical fire. Battery damage can occur during self-repair if users mishandle tools and even in landfills if a battery sits in the sun and overheats. Chemical fires can be especially destructive if other lithium-ion batteries are nearby because they can cause a chain reaction.
An influx of battery fires within the last decade has caused MRFs to take special precautions when handling LIBs, but it continues to be an industry issue. HOBI follows an established set of industry safety standards regarding the potential LIB fire risk, including a list of safe, approved tools and procedures used in the battery removal process.
E-waste recycling is a safe, eco-friendly method of IT asset disposition keeping IT assets out of landfills and helps preserve natural resources. ITAD enterprises prioritize the environment and work to reduce the pollution and contamination produced by e-waste.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.