Advancement in technology means more and more computing power in smaller packages like laptops and tablets. People are on the move and are looking for their technology to go with them. Since so many companies and consumers are replacing their PCs with smaller devices, the need for computer recycling is growing fast.
At GreenCitizen, we are seeing companies replace hundreds of desktops and LCDs at any given time. Plus, many of our recycling drop-off customers are replacing their desktop computers at home with laptops and tablets too.
Computer Recycling & Data Destruction
Like recycling a laptop, the most important step in preparing for recycling a computer is data backup. Both Apple and Windows operating systems offer ways to help you backup your data safely. Once your data is backed up, you can then find a reputable recycler to help crush or data wipe your system for responsible reuse.
Even if your system is so old that the data is of no use to you, it still has confidential information such as your email address, phone number, social security info, or other sensitive information. The more secure way to destroy the hard drive for you or your company is to find a responsible recycler. While there might be a small cost to do this, the peace of mind you get from knowing your confidential data is destroyed is priceless.
If your desktop is too old to run current popular web applications, a responsible recycler will break it down. They will then send these parts to a certified de-manufacturer for raw materials. Making products out of recycled raw materials produces less CO2 and water. It also saves having to dig in the earth for more precious materials while reducing the use of petroleum to make plastic.
Beware of Irresponsible Recyclers
Is computer recycling safe? Yes, when done the right way. When a desktop computer is not properly recycled, it effects you, your company, and this beautiful earth we are trying to save. For example, using an irresponsible recycler to pick up your desktop for free increases the risk of them selling it to an exporter. This exporter might send your computer to a developing country under the false claim of reuse.
Due to lack of government environmental regulations and oversight, impoverished communities in developing countries try to salvage as much value from a desktop by any means. This includes looking up hard drives and breaking up a computer into useful parts. They then burn the remaining remnant or PC boards for traces of metals. Open burning of electronics contaminates local water sources and is harmful to the communities who live there. This isn’t what computer recycling is about. It’s immoral and a crime against nature and its inhabitants.
GreenCitizen to the Rescue
Since our start, we have helped divert over 20 million pounds of electronics from landfills and global dumping. We have also returned over 230,000 electronics back to the U.S for responsible recycling.
For those interested in computer recycling in San Francisco, we have a convenient drop-off center near the San Francisco Airport in Burlingame. At the GreenCitizen Eco-center, you not only can drop off items for electronic recycling, but also have your computer hard drives destroyed or wiped clean. We also have electronic waste pickup options for businesses in the San Francisco area.
Our Eco-Center is open Monday to Saturday from 10 to 6. No appointment is necessary. We have a passionate environmental staff that helps you unload your recycling items and helps you through the process.
There is a right way to recycle your old desktop. For more information about computer recycling, give us a call at (650) 493-8700 or message us on our website’s chat!
Last Updated: July 17, 2019 by James Kao Leave a Comment
You may have noticed the increasing price of recycling your old electronics. There are 4 major reasons why electronic recycling costs have risen over 100% in 2018.
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Why the Cost of Electronic Recycling Has Gone Up
The high plastic content of over 50% of electronics recycled
Computers and electronics are made up of precious metals and plastics. The top 6 materials are iron, aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, and plastics. Plastics are the most difficult to recycle due to the cost of labor and their low reclaim value.
The typical desktop weighs about 23 lbs. It’s only 1.96% plastic. Because of its high content in iron (61.55%), aluminum (6.40%), and copper (3.41%), it’s cost neutral to recycle. Yet many of global economic factors have caused precious metal prices to fall.
Meanwhile, the plastic content of LCDs, CRTs, mouse and keyboards, printers, copiers, and coffee pots can be as high as 60-70% of their total weight, making them very expensive to recycle.
China’s ban of plastic scrap import, followed by Vietnam and Thailand
In January 2018, following China’s ban on import plastic scrap, Vietnam, and Thailand also stopped importing plastic scrap for recycling. In the past, reclaimed materials were shipped there, and then the materials were made into some other type of product, called de-manufacturing. Because China has such a low cost of labor, most electronic products are made there.
With the ban, semi-processed reclaimed materials have fewer places to go. To responsibly recycle materials with a high content of plastic, Green Citizen needs to pay higher prices to use the best de-manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
ECS Refining filed bankruptcy on July 2, 2018
On top of the challenges mentioned, one of the largest de-manufacturers in the nation, ECS Refining went bankrupt on July 2, 2018. Over the last 13 years, ECS Refining has been one of the most reliable e-scrap vendors. ECS processed over 20 million pounds of electronics a month. By taking 20 million pounds of de-manufacturing capacity off the market, it has limited the space available in the Western United States to properly de-manufacture all electronics. This has created a bidding war between collectors for the limited space, driving up the cost of electronic recycling.
Trump Administration’s Tariff War with China
First, the Trump administration raised tariffs by 25% on many goods imported from China. China then retaliated with import taxes on goods from the U.S. While much of recycled plastics have been banned, importing precious metals to China are also affected because of the tariff war. It drives up the cost of exporting and increases recycling costs.
The Green Citizen Solution
Unfortunately, these factors have created a new reality -consumers and businesses are going to have to pay substantially more for electronic recycling.
In fact, the price will increase until it’s cost competitive to make products out of recycling materials locally, creating a local circular economy. That’s why Green Citizen is at the forefront of developing a strategy for this circular economy right here in the San Francisco Bay Area.
We have come up with a plan to counter the new costs of electronic recycling.While costs have risen by 100%, we are only increasing our recycling fee by 50% on September 1, 2018. To cover the remaining 50% of added recycling costs, we are increasing our company’s operational productivity, thus increasing revenue from our reuse items sold on eBay, Amazon and our e-commerce stores. For now, we must all share in the increased costs of electronic recycling.
For more information about the rise of electronic recycling costs, give us a call at (650) 493-8700 or message us on our live chat. We also offer business pickup and consumer drop off electronic recycling in the San Francisco Bay area.