E-waste recycling is the process of extracting valuable materials from discarded electronic devices after shredding them into tiny pieces that could be reused in a new electronic appliance. The rapid expansion of technology and the consumption-driven society results in the creation of a very large amount of e-waste. E-waste includes discarded electrical or electronic devices, such as computers, computer peripherals, televisions, small scale servers, and small electronic equipment. The recycling of e-waste serves a lot of useful purposes, including protecting human and environmental health by keeping those devices out of landfills, recovering the parts within the devices that still have value, and providing manufacturers with recycled metals that can be used to make new products.
The process of e-waste recycling involves the following steps:
- Collection: E-waste is collected from consumers, either through mail back or other means, and transported to the recycling facilities.
- Sorting: Workers sort the e-waste into categories according to their types and models.
- Examination: All electronic devices are examined, and the parts that are still functional will be extracted to be reused; they can either be sold as individual parts or be combined to form a new phone or computer.
- Shredding: The e-waste left behind that is not functional will be shredded into tiny pieces.
- Extraction: Valuable materials are extracted from the shredded e-waste, such as rare earth metals and precious metals, which are in short supply, as well as plastics and other materials.
- Reuse: The extracted materials are reused in new electronic appliances.
E-waste has a horrible effect on the environment, and it is important to dispose of it with an R2 certified recycling facility. The NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act requires manufacturers to provide free and convenient recycling of electronic waste to most consumers in the state. E-waste recycling has all sorts of benefits in addition to the protection of human health and the environment.
