Recyclability of E-waste
The recycling of electronics is considered a viable option to manage e-waste, as it reduces resource consumption and waste production. However, due to inadequate pollution control equipment at certain e-waste recycling sites, some recycling processes pose a serious threat to environmental and human health. There is a standardized process in which recycling occurs that properly manages and safely disposes of e-waste. However, this process is not always utilized at primitive recycling operations, potentially leading to harmful work conditions. To learn more about the standardized recycling process as well as its benefits and harms, read below!
What is Collection?
Electronic products are collected in recycling bins, at collection locations or services, and by take-back programs. Some examples of companies that offer free electronic recycling are Best Buy, Apple, Dell, Amazon, and Goodwill. The e-waste is then delivered to specialized electronics recycling facilities, where it is sorted into various bins by type of electronic.
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park E-Waste Recycling Photostream
What is storage?
The electronic products are stored in separated bins in a safe location. Because some materials are stored for varying periods of time, sometimes indefinitely, they must be stored in a secure location to ensure they do not contaminate any other materials. For example, products that are no longer reused due to lack of demand may be stored indefinitely. These products may contain toxic substances that will contaminate other materials and the facility if not properly stored.
RTS-NYC E-Waste Recyclers
What is manual sorting?
The electronic products are then manually sorted by material type. Products may also be manually dismantled to reuse particular components within the product or to recover valuable materials. Some materials, such as batteries or bulbs, are separated for specialized processing due to the toxic substances they may contain or their fragile material. The remaining portion of the products are then shredded into small pieces that measure a couple centimeters to aid in the next step of the process: mechanical separation.
EcoMENA
What is mechanical separation?
The shredded materials are then mechanically separated using two consecutive methods: magnetic and water separation. When using magnetic separation, the shredded material is passed underneath a large magnet to separate ferrous metals from nonferrous metals, essentially separating metal that contains iron from metal that does not. After separation, nonferrous metals are sent to specific recycling plants for a process called smelting. The remaining materials, predominantly glass and plastic, undergo water separation in order to separate the different types of plastic from one another as well as identify any contaminants.
ERI E-waste Recycling and Recovery v. Mining Finite Resources
What is recovery?
At this point in the process, all of the materials are separated by type, specifically types of plastic, glass, ferrous metals, and nonferrous metals. Additionally, any contaminants, nonferrous metals, or materials that require a specialized recycling process, such as batteries, are removed. The remaining, newly separated materials are prepared for repurpose or resale. Other materials, such as plastic or steel, will be moved to another recycling plant to undergo additional recycle processing.
A-Tech Recyclers
What are the Benefits and Harm of recycling e-waste?
Benefits
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Reduces resource consumption
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Reduces material costs
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Minimizes hazardous waste and toxic substances in the environment when handled correctly
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Diminishes fossil fuel emissions
harms
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Hazardous to the health of workers when materials handled without PPE
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Increases levels of toxic substances found in the air, soil and waterways of areas near primitive recycling sites