From mobile devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones to household appliances like microwaves and toasters, more than 50 million metric tons of e-waste is generated globally every year. Electronic waste makes up 70 percent of the world’s hazardous waste, and only 12.5 percent is recycled. Eighty-five percent of the world’s toxic waste is sent to landfills, contributing to multiple waste issues, including fires and pollution. ITAD providers like HOBI significantly impact the environmental and social repercussions of improper hazardous waste disposition with responsible disposition solutions for e-waste.
Dangers of E-Waste
Technology has evolved over the years and is now a prominent part of society, but many consumers are unaware of the dangers of electronic waste. E-waste is still sent to landfills, where battery fires can spark and destroy surrounding neighborhoods and wildlife. Most electronics, including mobile devices used daily, are manufactured with lithium-ion batteries. If not appropriately managed, battery damage can cause a thermal runaway and lead to a chemical fire, which can take longer to extinguish than a regular fire.
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.
ITAD Providers
Proper IT asset disposition is critical in keeping the environment safe, and partnering with an ITAD provider helps keep hazardous materials out of the waste stream via electronics recycling. HOBI International, Inc. is an R2v3, RIOS, WBE, and ISO 14001 certified IT asset management and disposition facility focused on the best course of action for clients and the environment. Incinerators are sometimes viewed as a safer alternative to landfills, but burning electronics only releases toxic chemicals into the air. E-waste recycling prevents any chemicals from harming the environment, and ITAD providers offer services with social benefits as well.
HOBI offers repair and refurbishment services to extend the life of IT assets that still have some use left. Repairing retired assets enables them to be reused rather than recycled, providing a cost-effective alternative for new devices. As technology prices increase, many users are keeping their devices longer or purchasing used devices, and HOBI offers remarketing opportunities for clients seeking to maximize the value of retired assets.
Donation programs enable companies to donate their retired IT assets to those without access, such as schools and nursing homes. This helps extend the lifecycle of used devices and bridge the digital divide.
With more than 30 years of industry experience, HOBI is committed to sustainable solutions and environmental compliance to contribute to the global reduction of e-waste.
For more information about HOBI’s environmental services or our other ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or email sales@hobi.com.