The Canadian aftermarket company explained why e-waste recycling is important to its customers.
In an article, What is e-waste recycling?, the company stated that “as we’re sure you’ve noticed technology is not built to last. In fact, it’s designed to become obsolete or to break after a certain number of years/uses to encourage repeat purchases”. It questioned if users “know that your electronics are full of dangerous chemicals and materials that are harmful to us and the planet if not disposed of properly?”
It went on to point out that “in a world where electronic devices such as computers, cellphones, laptops and tablets have become an active part of everyday life it’s more important than ever that businesses, institutions, large and small enterprises and the general public know how to safely and securely deal with their e-waste”.
Following on from this, it points out that “e-waste recycling is the term used to describe the disposal of all electronics in a safe, secure and regulated way that helps keep these devices from piling up in landfills or being shipped to foreign countries”. Greentec also noted that “at its most basic level, companies who mange this process, much like the kind of recycling we all know in our everyday lives, will collect e-waste in large trucks [and] process it in a safe and secure facility”.
These companies then “either resell devices that are functioning or destroy them and mine them for parts to be sold”, Greentec pointing out that “either way, it’s an important process that keeps the planet a little bit cleaner, safer and bonus – it’s a process that can make you and your business some money”.
It concluded by sharing an infographic that discusses Canadian e-waste statistics, including that 45 percent of e-waste in the country is stored or reused, 11 percent is recycled and the remainder is “sent to landfill”, with household appliances making up the most – 30 percent – of the e-waste created. Consumer electronics make up 15 percent meanwhile, and 125 million kilogrammes of e-waste ends up in Canadian landfills a year, around 4.5 kilogrammes per person.