The EPA reports that the rate for electronics recycling has dropped about 2 percent in the last four years. With an increasing number of consumer electronics flooding landfills, the disturbing downward trend will certainly have negative (but avoidable) consequences.
Stop for a moment to think about all of the electronics you own. They may include any of the following:
- Cell phones/smartphones
- Computers & monitors
- Televisions
- DVD Players
- Printers
- Stereos/speakers
- MP3 players
- Cameras
- Video game consoles
And that’s an extremely abbreviated list of the types of electronics that you may own and will eventually have to throw away!
Did you know that the United States is the number 1 contributor of e-waste? In fact, Americans dispose of 9.4 million tons of electronics every year! And only 12.5% of e-waste is recycled. We can do better!
But why should you recycle electronics?
- The recycling of electronics (also referred to as “e-cycling”) allows for the conservation of limited raw materials.
- It saves money! Manufacturers that use recycled materials/products can produce items for less! And many companies are now providing incentives like buy-back programs for your old electronics!
- It’s great for air quality! When items like computer monitors are burned, they produce cancer-causing dioxins to be released into the air.
- E-cycling makes a positive impact on our water supplies! Heavy metals, such as mercury and lithium can seep into the soil, and eventually into the groundwater.
- When you recycle electronics, you’re contributing to healthier soil! When soil is contaminated by heavy metals and other toxins, crops become contaminated.
Protec Recycling has the expertise to make sure your electronics are properly recycled so that we can all benefit from the positive impact of e-cycling! Be sure to pass this information along to your friends and family. Knowledge is power. And together, we can stop the downward trend in e-cycling!
We provide secure, green, and cost-effective disposal and recycling of smartphones and other electronics in Birmingham and surrounding areas. Call us at 205-549-2120 or visit our Contact Us page.
