John Miller, Vice President of Metech Recycling, appeared on a December PBS program to explain how businesses and consumers can ensure their electronics are recycled responsibly. Many organizations are shocked to find electronics they thought were being handled properly end up in landfills or dumped in other countries.
Most media reports recommend asking questions to see if a recycler is handling your materials responsibly. To see Metech Recycling’s answers to those questions read more.
There are many compelling reasons to recycle obsolete electronic equipment, including protection of sensitive information and avoidance
of environmental liability.
Facts & Figures
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According to the United Nations Environment Program around 20 to 50 million tons of e-waste are generated worldwide each year.
As much as 50–80% of US e-waste is exported to third world countries where it is generally handled under conditions that are severely injurious to the local environment and public health.
70% of heavy metals in US landfills comes from electronic
equipment discards
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E-waste is now the largest source of lead in municipal solid waste landfills, comprising 40% of the total.
Many modern electronics contain mercury lamps. These lamps, if
not properly disposed of, can leach mercury into our groundwater. Mercury lamps are found in laptops, scanners, copy machines and
flat screen monitors and TV’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "responsible" electronic recycling mean?
Research estimates that electronic waste accounts for 80 percent of American's toxic garbage and is growing exponentially. Electronic waste contains is a toxic threat to soil and water supplies worldwide. Metech Recycling collects, carefully disassembles and shreds or crushes material, and distributes the end product to certified downstream partners for reprocessing and recycling into new products or raw materials. While that may seem to be the expected definition of recycling, many recyclers do not invest in the labor and sourcing required to ensure it takes place. The sad reality is that less than 15% of e-waste material actually finds its way into new products in the form of recycled material and the rest is dumped in landfills or shipped to other countries where lead, cadmium, mercury, and other hazards end up poisoning air, soil, and water supplies. Improperly handled toxic waste then ends up in toys, food, and other global supply chains.
Metech Recycling invests in the labor-intensive process of disassembling and de-manufacturing to divert all materials from landfills and incinerators. Metech Recycling guarantees it does not export hazardous waste material; it does not landfill or incinerate hazardous waste material. Metech Recycling is designated as a Pledged e-Steward by Basel Action Network (BAN). Read More.
Where does it all go?
Metech Recycling has invested in processing equipment to handle some of the most difficult electronic components
such as CRT’s within our own facilities. We audit all our downstream processors and manufacturers frequently to ensure compliance with the highest environmental standards. Component material we retrieve through our processes is returned to the manufacturing stream to
be used in new products.
Is it illegal to dispose of electronics in landfills? In many states, electronics are classified as hazardous waste, so local regulations dictate that any electronic waste from
non-residential sources (businesses, government agencies, etc.) cannot be disposed of in solid waste landfills. Electronic waste must be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility or recycled. Please see your state’s Department of Public Health
and Environment’s website for more information.
Why can't I discard old electronics with the rest of my trash? Electronics contain pollutants such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, phosphorous, lithium, and polycarbons. Electronics that are dumped in the trash often end up in landfills, where these substances can leach into the groundwater
and soil. Flame retardant chemicals in computer plastics can release highly toxic dioxins when burned in trash incinerators.
What are the benefits of recycling versus resale? If a computer is working, then it’s still useful, right? Although resale and resuse is sometimes an option, in most cases the current pace of technology has rendered many working systems obsolete. Resale and donation simply pass the disposal problem to another party, often someone less equipped to deal with it properly. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment even warns on their website not to attempt to "dump" your old, unusable equipment on these entities in an effort to avoid your own waste management responsibilities. Once electronic equipment has reached the end of its useful life recycling is the best choice to keep toxic compounds out of our landfills and protect our natural resources.
How do I know data on my computer or hard drives are securely destroyed? Data security is an on-going concern for many individuals and organizations. When Metech Recycling receives electronics for recycling we physically destroy your hard drive by sending through our giant shredder. Since these materials are never sent to landfills, no one has the opportunity to grab a hard drive and access information. By completely de-manufacturing electronics and sending data containing devices through the shredder, no one can gain access to information that was once stored on the equipment.
What types of items does Metech Recycling recycle?
Metech Recycling recycles virtually any obsolete electronic. Examples of the range of products we disassemble and recycle responsibly include: consumer electronics, telecom equipment, data center equipment, medical equipment — virtually anything with a circuit board. Batteries, cell phones, computers, DVD players, VCRs, stereo equipment, printer/fax machines, computers and laptops. We handle everything from large copiers to small PDA's. We also accept small appliances and, generally, anything that plugs into the wall except refrigerators, freezers, or air conditioners. If you wonder whether Metech Recycling can recycle an item, you can check our list or call us at 866.479.4920.
Why do I have to pay for electronic recycling?
Some manufacturers provide Take Back programs that underwrite the cost of the recycling process. Fees are necessary to cover the labor and other costs associated with responsible recycling of leaded glass and other toxic materials in electronic equipment. For additional information please complete the price quote request in the Pricing section or call the Metech Recycling office near you. Individuals wishing to recycle responsible can also use the pack and ship program from Recycle A PC.
Why do I have to pay when recyclers sell the components? When "recyclers" pay people to take their electronics or "recycle" them for free it is likely those materials will be sent to international brokers and dumped rather than recycled. It is estimated that up to 80% of the United States e-waste ends up being illegally shipped to developing countries where they are creating health and environmental disasters. By investing in the labor-intensive process of de-manufacturing and redirecting all materials collected back into the manufacturing stream, Metech Recycling keeps toxic materials out of landfills and ensures over 95% of the waste it handles is recycled responsibly to the highest environmental standards.
What if I have other questions?
Please call our toll free number 888.638.2761 or send us an email and we will be happy to answer your questions!
