Computers, laptops, phones, tablets, printers, and fax machines are all commonplace in the work environment. Another thing these devices have in common is the fact they eventually expire and will need to be replaced. Getting new electronics is only half the battle, but have you considered what you will do with the outdated ones? Turns out that most of our electronics can be effectively recycled, and doing so results in a number of benefits for your business and community.
Why Recycling Electronics is Important
- Manage a quickly growing waste stream. As technology develops, devices are becoming obsolete at quicker rates. This means hundreds of thousands of units dumped into landfills every year. The CBC reported back in 2009 that around 40,000 cell phones are discarded per day across all of Canada. Eleven years later and it’s likely that number has grown exponentially. By recycling electronics, these devices are not building up in landfills.
- Reduce environmental impact in developing countries. Canada ships much of its waste to southeast Asia where it is dumped and scavenged. Other than being an eyesore, this is incredibly dangerous. IT equipment contains chemicals such as lead, mercury, beryllium and cadmium. As you can tell, these are dangerous if left to leak into the ground and water systems.
- Support the local economy. Alberta houses registered processors that break down electronics in local facilities, separating them into different metals, glass, and plastic. Keeping this process in Alberta instead of outsourcing creates green energy jobs for local workers.
- Decrease manufacturing cost and energy. Remember the recovered materials we mentioned in the previous point? Once sorted they are shipped elsewhere to be manufactured into new electronics. The majority of electronic devices can be salvaged in this way. In fact, around 98% of a single computer can be reused!
Local Opportunities
There are multiple electronic recycling programs available for commercial businesses in the Calgary area. You can check them out here. Each is registered with the Alberta Management Recycling Authority. This means they meet impeccably high standards and requirements, so you can be sure your company’s used electronics are being put to use safely and effectively.
As licensed electricians, we know how important it is to take care of our devices and protect our environment. While we can’t recycle your goods, we can absolutely help you to find energy-efficient solutions to your outdated equipment. Give us a call today to get started!
