What Happens If E-waste Is Not Disposed Properly in Santa Ana

Electronic Recycling EWaste Recycling Secure Data Destruction IT Asset Disposition Product Destruction

If your company has outgrown its desktops, servers, monitors and other IT equipment, it is important to find a recycler that specializes in electronics remarketing and disposal. These professionals can help you catalog your outdated devices, including their make, model and serial number. For more information https://www.techwasterecycling.com/electronics-recycling-santa-ana-ca can also evaluate their condition and resale value. Then, they can safely and securely destroy your IT equipment to comply with laws such as HIPPA, FACTA and GLBA.

A reputable recycler can also provide you with a certificate of destruction. This document proves that your equipment was destroyed prior to remarketing and demonstrates your compliance with a variety of laws, including the New York State Information Technology Equipment Recycling and Disposal Act. This certificate is important for law firms, medical facilities, financial organizations and educational institutions.

While donating and recycling these devices conserves natural resources, it is important to consider that not all recyclers are created equal. Many recyclers may not have the facilities and resources necessary to safely and responsibly dispose of electronic waste. In addition, many recyclers are not e-Stewards certified and do not follow the EPA’s Electronics Donation and Recycling Regulations.

E-Stewards certification is a designation given to responsible recyclers that meet certain environmental standards. It is designed to protect against the flow of toxic materials into developing countries, where they are used in illegal gold-mining operations and incinerated to produce energy. The E-Stewards program operates alongside other prominent laws, such as the Basel Convention, which prevents the dumping of hazardous materials into oceans and waterways.

The most common types of products and materials recycled in 2018 were corrugated boxes, newspapers/mechanical paper, mixed nondurable papers, lead-acid batteries, major appliances, wood packaging and containers, glass bottles, and tires. The most difficult and costly to recycle are discarded consumer electronics, which require expensive processing to recover valuable components and metals for reuse.

Despite the burgeoning popularity of e-waste recycling, much of it is mishandled. In the United States, 65 percent of the waste city workers pick up ends up in landfills, and it is likely even higher for commercial waste. Many of these devices contain toxins that seep into the soil and waterways, contaminating the environment, causing illnesses in people who handle them, and destroying wildlife. In addition, many of the newer waste-to-energy plants that burn e-waste are located near densely populated areas, making them an eyesore to their neighbors.

When looking for an e-waste recycler, be sure to ask for references and look for insurance coverage. Check to see if they are NAID certified, which requires that uniformed drivers maintain locked trucks and undergo criminal background checks and drug testing before working with your equipment. Then, ask the company to explain their process for physically destroying data. If they are unable or unwilling to do so, it is probably a good idea to walk away. You should always seek out a recycler that can guarantee that your data is completely and irretrievably erased prior to remarketing or recycling.