(Servicecare have 20 years experience in electronics and computer recycling)

According to the United Nations Environmental Program research data, there is an estimated 49 million metric tons of waste generated from electronic and computer products on an annual basis in a worldwide scale. In the US alone, there is an average of 3 million tons of e-waste per year (according to data gathered by the Environmental Protection Agency). The reason for such huge numbers is the fact that computers have become a necessity in today’s modern world with an average of 4 million computers being used in a single US state, whether it be for residential or office use. This particular number only speaks for computers though, and you have to keep in mind that there are far more electronic products being manufactured on a regular basis in the industry. It therefore makes electronics and computer recycling a very important cause, especially at the rate in which electronic products are manufactured.

The speed at which upgrades and new versions are being released in the electronics industry prompt consumers to throw away their old devices and purchase newly released versions. The desire for the “latest” gadgets is getting rampant but there is always the option to recycle them. In fact, this is a smarter decision and offers lots of benefits not just to the user, but also for the environment. Learn more about what these benefits are below.

Health Benefits

Plastic, gases, and other similar products are used for the production of modern electronics. Lead is one example of harmful content that is used for electronics manufacturing and one that poses a huge threat to the health of anyone exposed to this element. Furthermore, dumping these e-wastes into landfills will result to a release of harmful chemicals into the air that are then inhaled by those who live close to the landfills and causing serious danger to their health.

Eco-Friendly Benefits

The environment experiences the hardest impact with the level of electronic and computer waste that is being produced on a regular basis. These wastes are dumped and grow over time on landfills until the resources become scarce because the old devices and e-wastes are being used up. It takes up so much space and also contributes to the spread of harmful toxins. If these toxins manage to infiltrate the water system, then it could also cause degradation in the quality of water. You can therefore help to reserve these consequences by recycling computers and electronics products and protect the environment from pollution.

Economic Benefits

This is a practical reason to consider recycling electronics. Not only are you doing the environment a favor, but your own budget as well. Think of how much savings you can make from the production and manufacturing process if you decide to re-use any old electronics and computer products. Dealing with electronics can be quit costly so opting to recycle will cut down a huge amount of money from your budget. It will be beneficial for both the manufacturer and the consumers.

Renewable Resources

Recycling electronics could also help in reutilizing all the resources used for the initial manufacturing process. Computer hardware, for instance, contain several parts and resources that are reusable. By recycling, you can prevent these resources from going to waste and also maximizing the benefits you can get from them. When you recycle, there is no need to use up more resources in order to manufacture those parts again while saving up on energy that is needed for the manufacturing process.

Preventing Abuse of Resources

The process of recycling is also a form of discipline. Your goal for electronics and computer recycling should be to preserve the natural resources instead of using them up in a rapid rate. However, abuse here does not just refer to the abuse of the resources used for developing such products. Electronic waste is often sent to third world or developing countries wherein manufacturers can get cheap labor. All of these workers are exposed to the harmful elements that are present when handling electronic products – often times, without the right amount of protection needed to ensure a safe manufacturing process (both for the consumers and workers).

These are just some of the main benefits you can enjoy for recycling computers and electronics products. If you can learn to practice them, then imagine the huge savings that you can make, as well as its impact on the environment in the long run.