E-waste is generally defined as any electric or battery-powered device that is either no longer in use or has become obsolete. This includes everything from computers and phones to televisions & microwaves. What makes e-waste so dangerous is that it often contains toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, beryllium, zinc, nickel, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These substances can contaminate soil & reservoirs if the devices housing them are not properly recycled. With a steady increase in devices being used and disposed of every day, there’s a real concern that these electronics will not be properly handled and could pose a health risk to humans & wildlife alike.
The primary concern with e-waste disposal is that there are currently no federal laws in place to regulate how it should be handled. This means that unless there are stringent state and/or local laws in place, companies have free reign over how they dispose of their used electronics, leading to some potentially hazardous practices taking place. For example, if companies dump their e-waste into landfills, it can have devastating effects on the environment & public health due to toxins leaching into soil and water sources. Other companies might opt for incineration which can cause air pollution and further contaminate nearby ecosystems.
SAMR Inc. an e-waste management company based in Lakewood, NJ, recognizes that proper e-waste disposal is an urgent issue. They are committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure responsible practices are followed. Through education, increasing awareness, and a mutual passion for improving our world amongst staff & management alike, companies like SAMR Inc. are working with businesses to protect our environment and ensure a healthier planet.
Steps that can be taken to ensure the proper handling of e-waste
There are a number of steps that can be taken to ensure proper disposal and handling of e-waste. Federal & additional state regulations ensuring that companies follow the necessary protocol when disposing of their electronics would be helpful. That said, businesses that act on their own to establish responsible recycling programs within their workplaces will have the satisfaction of knowing they did the right thing, and public knowledge of these practices will be beneficial for them in the short term & long run. Furthermore, we can all do our part to educate our friends & neighbors about proper recycling, as an informed public will understand the potential risks associated with e-waste and be more inclined to avoid the dangers of improper disposal.
The best way to make sure you are recycling your electronics correctly is to contact an e-waste management service like SAMR Inc. They will be able to provide information on the specific regulations of your state. A credible, established recycling center will accept all types of consumer electronics such as computers, TVs, cell phones, microwaves, dehumidifiers, etc.
Combat issues of unawareness with e-waste education
Many people are unaware of the potential dangers posed by electronic waste which means that proper handling methods are often not followed when disposing of used electronics. This lack of awareness leads to the general population engaging in improper disposal practices which can have serious consequences for both humans and animals alike.
One way that businesses & governing bodies can help combat this issue is by raising awareness about the potential hazards associated with improper e-waste disposal and providing resources on how to handle obsolete electronics safely and responsibly. It’s well worth a small amount of time to take measures to ensure that these devices are disposed of safely and responsibly in order to protect humans, wildlife, and our planet as a whole from potential harm caused by toxins leaching into our environment.
By educating ourselves on proper e-waste disposal procedures, we can all do our part in helping to keep our planet safe from unnecessary harm. For over 20 years, SAMR Inc. has been at the forefront of this movement working diligently toward providing a simple, convenient option for the safe disposal of electronics that have reached the end of their useful lives.
Whether you have a couple of devices around your house, a school or business of any size, or a municipality with tens of thousands of residents, SAMR Inc. can provide a solution for recycling your unwanted electronics & destroying any sensitive data that they take in.