Recycling eWaste Made Easy: A Guide

Recycling eWaste Made Easy: A Guide
Recycling eWaste Made Easy: A Guide

Recycling eWaste Made Easy: A Guide

eWaste or electronics recycling is the process of recovering material from old devices to use in new products. Recyclers use the term eWaste in reference to electric products in our daily lives that end up being recycled or in landfills. Therefore, the term represents end-of-life computer and electronic devices includes:

  • Computers
  • Phones
  • Televisions
  • Fax machines
  • Stereo and more

According to the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, it takes 1.5 tons of water, 530 pounds of fossil fuel, and 40 pounds of chemicals to manufacture a single computer and monitor. The process of recycling used computers and electronics assures proper processing and results in a rich source of raw material and solid waste management.

The Stages of eWaste Recycling Explained
The Stages of eWaste Recycling Explained

The Stages of eWaste Recycling Explained

Collection and transportation are the beginning stages of the recycling process, including for eWaste. After collecting these waste computer and electronics products, recyclers sort the material into categories. Then, technicians test the material to determine potential reuse.

Once the testing process completes, functional components often sell to second-hand resellers or to the manufacturer. Computer and electronics recycling companies further separate the components into ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Then, as facilities complete the disassembly, recyclers perform the removal of data in components such as memory cards. The shredding process then occurs as materials transform into a composite. Recyclers pass the debris and utilize special techniques to recover valuable components. In fact, recovery of special metals like gold occurs from smelting.

Finally, after shredding, sorting and separation completes, recyclers prepare separated materials for sale as usable raw materials to produce new electronics or other products.

Why Recycle eWaste?
Why Recycle eWaste?

Why Recycle eWaste?

The bulk of these electronic products end up in landfills, and recycles only 12.5% of eWaste. According to a UN study, there was over 41.8 million tons of eWaste discarded worldwide, with only 10%–40% percent of disposals appropriately done. Additionally, devices at the end of their useful life if recycled can contribute to collecting valuable materials. Electronics are full of valuable materials, including copper, tin, iron, aluminum, fossil fuels, titanium, gold and silver. In a report, Apple revealed that it recovered 2,204 pounds of gold – worth $40 million – from recycled iPhones, Macs and iPads in 2015.

Electronics recycling can be challenging because of the varying proportions of glass, metals and plastics. Although, electronics contain various toxic and hazardous chemicals and materials release into the environment if we do not dispose of them properly. So, nobody can overlook the great impacts of computer and electronics recycling.

The list of benefits of eWaste recycling to man and environment at large grows daily. The process reduces water, air, and soil pollution, protects natural resources, reduces the space required for landfills and creates employment. The computers and electronics around us from old computers, laptops and monitors all fall into the category of eWaste.

If you are interested in recycling eWaste with Interco, please click here.

How Much is Electronic Scrap Recycling Worth?

How Much is Electronic Scrap Recycling Worth?

Founded in 1996, Interco has grown from an electronic scrap recycling company to a comprehensive processor. Handling nonferrous, industrially generated metal-bearing complex residues, most battery chemistries, and catalysts. The team is an expert at electronic scrap recycling.

Interco is centrally located on the Illinois-side of St. Louis on a 40-acre industrial complex comprised of 7 buildings with 400,000 square feet of warehouse space.

With a staff of 100 full time employees, Interco receives, processes, upgrades, repackages and ships approximately 15,000 tons of material monthly.

What is the Value of Your Scrap?

Cooper/Iron Materials
Cooper/Iron Materials

Cooper/Iron Materials

Interco is a large volume buyer of all grades of copper/iron scrap. These include electric motors, shredded electric motors, sealed units, transformers, automotive parts and copper and brass bimetals.

Furthermore, copper is one of the most valuable metals that you can recycle because of its infinite recycling life and high thermal and electrical properties.

Moreover, iron scraps – a ferrous metal – also is a major scrap used in the manufacture of cars, kitchen, utensils, etc.

Red Metals & Residues

Copper as an industrial metal resists corrosion and demonstrates highly malleable characteristics such as durability and having high thermal and electrical properties. In addition, bronze is a red metal – an alloy of copper and other metallic materials – which possesses similar properties of copper.

Computers & Electronics
Computers & Electronics

On the other hand, Brass demonstrates the combination of copper and zinc. If the metal has a higher percentage of brass, it is more valuable.

Furthermore, the amount of zinc present means less ductility which decreases its value to the electronic industries despite its elevated intrinsic value.

White Metals & Residues

White metals are powerful conductors of heat and electricity as well as act as powerful amplifiers. The metals are common choices to produce jewelry. Silvery-white metals generally have a higher market value over gold or rosy metals due to their ability to complement one’s skin tone.

Computers & Electronics

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Computers & Electronics
Computers & Electronics

Printed Circuit boards (PCB), also known as green boards, support and facilitate the connection of electronic components with their elegant design.

Recycling printed circuit boards, populated with many components could yield more valuable materials like: gold, silver, platinum and palladium.

Precious Metal Recycling with an Electric Scrap Recycling Company

Interco is a large volume buyer of precious metal bearing circuit boards. There are a variety of electronic materials recycled including: televisions, cell phones, audio and video players and computer equipment such as monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, and mice.

Recycling precious metals lessens contamination and contributes to the solution of climate change.

Interco Recycles eScrap

Interco is an electric scrap recycling company that specializes in straight or mixed scrap loads. In addition, our suppliers can ship a truckload of material (usually 40,000+ pounds) – with any combination of the above items.

There is no minimum quantity per item, but they require separation either by bale or by gaylord box.

The team at Interco processes minerals and industrial byproducts including:

The team works with dealers and industrial partners throughout North America.

If interested in recycling eWaste with Interco, please click here.

The Benefits to Going Green as a Business

The Benefits to Going Green as a Business
The Benefits to Going Green as a Business

The Benefits to Going Green as a Business

Nearly 70% of consumers in the U.S. and Canada think it is important that a brand is sustainable or eco-friendly, according to a study by IBM and the National Retail Federation.

“Going green” refers to reducing the overall environmental impact of your business, resulting in in lower overhead costs and money saved.

More than ever, businesses around the world are replying to a global need and consumer demand to go green. And more than 80% of people respect companies and brands that adopt eco-friendly practices, according to Forbes.

Going green has several benefits for companies. These include improved efficiency, job creation, cost savings and most vital, a trustworthy image. Interco is one of the companies who will help your business go green by recycling all types of nonferrous metals and eScrap. Below is a list of the benefits to recycling.

Efficiency

Resources and energy are conserved when a recycled material, rather than a raw material, is in use to make a new product. Materials that have been recycled have already been processed once; re-manufacturing is much cleaner and less energy-intensive than the first.

Job Creation
Job Creation

Job Creation

Recycling and reuse create at least 9 times more jobs than landfills and incinerators, and as many as 30 times more jobs, according to Eco-Cycle. In general, recycling creates work in modern green energy fields. When employment rates go up, businesses within the community benefit from the stronger economy as well.

Cost Savings

Companies may not realize the many economic benefits offered by recycling. One of the main reasons why recycling is important for a business is because it is a way to save money. Recycling is not the only solution – reducing and reusing waste will also help save money, energy and natural resources, explains the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Trustworthy Image

North American respondents, which numbered 3,500, increasingly prefer sustainable brands, according to the study. Consumers increasingly show their support for businesses who showed recycling and bold action toward sustainability. A survey, commissioned by The Recycling Partnership and conducted by OnePoll, stated that nearly 50% of Americans would never shop with a company again if they learned they weren’t being as sustainable as possible. It’s so crucial, in fact, that the average American would even pay 26% more than retail price if it meant the product was completely sustainable.

Interco Helps Businesses Go Green

In conclusion, going green has numerous benefits for companies. Interco has been recycling non-ferrous metals, computers, electronics, batteries and alternative components since 1996 – with a department that specializes in paper.

If you are interested in recycling with Interco, please click here.

7 Things You Did Not Know About eWaste

Recyclers use the term eWaste or eScrap to describe business and consumer electronic products on the verge of retirement or already spoiled. Here are 7 things you did not know about eWaste:

1. eWaste is a Rich Source of Raw Material

Recyclers can recover approximately 10-15% of gold from eWaste worldwide. In addition, eWaste contains deposits of precious metals that estimate between 40 and 50 times costlier and richer than their ores beneath the earth’s surface. Recycling eWaste can significantly decrease the demand for mining heavy metals and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing virgin materials.

2. The United States Produces One of the Largest Amounts of eScrap in the World

The U.S. created 50 million tons of eScrap in 2019, which is equal to 20 Empire State Buildings. Dead electronics make up the world’s fastest-growing source of waste. Electronics contain toxic materials like lead and mercury, which can harm the environment and people. Americans send about 50,000 dump trucks worth of electronics to recyclers each year, according to PBS.

3. Only 30% of the World’s Demand for Copper is Met Through Recycling Copper Scrap

That means that 70% is supplied through the active mining of a steadily depleting resource. However, it is worth mentioning that copper is one of the most valuable metals scrap when it comes to recycling because of its infinite recycling life. Copper scraps has also proved to be a valuable resource due to its high thermal and electrical properties.

4. eWaste Around the World

The volume of eScrap generated in China expects to reach 27 million tons in 2030 from 15 million tons in 2020. eScrap is piling up around the world at a rate of 40 million tons per year. The eScrap produced annually is worth over $62.5 billion, more than the gross domestic product (GDP) of most countries, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.

5. eWaste in Landfills

eWaste represents 2% of America’s trash in landfills, but it equals 70% of overall toxic waste. The toxic chemicals found in eScrap often seep into the ground or may release into the air, impacting the environment and local communities. Electronic waste affects just about every system in the human body because the materials that make up eScrap contain a surplus of toxic components, including mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, barium, and lithium.

6. Recycling eWaste Reduces Environmental Pollution

Computer and electronics recycling help reduce toxic waste which would otherwise pollute the environment. eWaste that is not disposed of properly is considered hazardous because it contains metals and other materials that can harm humans and the environment. The most important reason to care about eWaste is reducing out environmental impact.

7. eWaste Recycling Creates Employment

As awareness of the importance of eWaste recycling increases, more and more electronic waste companies will open. Recycling, reuse and remanufacturing creates far more jobs than burying or burning resources. Additionally, Interco has been recycling non-ferrous metals, computers, electronics, batteries and alternative components since 1996.

Recycle with Interco

Recycling eWaste is important because it works to keep materials out of landfills. Interco is an expert in recycling loads of mixed scrap material.

To learn more about Interco’s services, click here.