A Cleaner World Requires Better Office Electronics Recycling Standard

While a great deal of people still acting as consumers within modern society grew up in the bygone throwaway eras, most people are supportive of the reduce, reuse and recycle mantra that has become iconic in this generation. For some products, reducing and reusing become problematic. Among those trouble makers are worn out, outdated and clunky office electronics that have far-surpassed their usefulness. Often taking up valuable space, these gadgets also represent a growing problem in the United States. Landfills teem with the detritus of the digital age, and this has led many states to seek legislation governing the methods by which owners handle electronics disposal. For most people, the best method for handling office electronics recycling is to contact professionals specializing in the field.

You might be shaking your head to imagine contacting a professional handler for electronics disposal, but if you truly understood the materials included in the construction of your office gadgets, chances are you would not want to continue holding onto those that are no longer functional. Surely, too, you would not feel good about tossing them out with your trash. Professional recycling centers, especially those working toward more sustainable methods understand and apply the best techniques for mitigating contamination potential.

Any electronics likely to be shipped off to landfills, piled up next to dumpsters illegally or left to gather dust in utility sheds may be brimming with heavy metals and other toxins. Dangerous metals and chemicals commonly found within tossed out electronics include but are not limited to

beryllium, cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium hexvalent and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Most of these contaminants accumulate over time, and their effects on the environment, from plants to animals to people, can be felt for decades to come. Trying to deal with this yourself does not make sense when there are trained professionals to handle their proper disposal. In fact, the dangers these elements represent are so well-documented that at least 25 states have established legislation mandating heavy fines and even jail time for anyone caught improperly disposing of the electronics containing them.

One excellent move you can make toward a healthier environment is to become better educated regarding recycling service providers in your area. In many cases, incentives may be available to those who take the time to properly discard of their castaway office electronics.

One way to do your part for a cleaner world is to make sure your old computers, fax machines and other electronic detritus make it to professional recyclers. If you are interested in learning more about computer recycling in San Jose, please visit this website.