What Happens to Recycled Technology?

Recycled technology can go through a variety of different recycling processes including bioleaching, mechanical separation and pyrolysis. The goal of all these processes is the same – recover as much material as possible.

E-Waste is a Global Concern

E-waste is the fastest growing solid waste stream on the planet, yet what actually happens to redundant equipment is somewhat a mystery to many. According to the Global E-waste Monitor Report, just 22.3% of e-waste is properly recycled(i), and increasing awareness of the issue is a key part of fighting this epidemic.

So, what happens to the e-waste that is recycled? What are the options available to those that collect, buy, or remove redundant IT hardware for sustainable recycling? Because the reality is that although we always look to refurbish and reuse, all IT hardware has an end date.

How Much of a Computer Can be Recycled?

Pretty much all of it! Computers and IT hardware are generally made up of recyclable materials. Standard metals such as copper, steel and aluminium can simply be melted down and reused for a wide range of uses. More precious metals such as gold and silver take more precise procedures, such as bioleaching, to effectively recover. Even glass or plastics found on mobile phones or monitors can be recycled.

Although this all sounds very straightforward, e-waste does present a few complications that often come in the form of hazardous materials.

The Toxic Threat of E-waste

E-waste is not just an issue because certain materials can take over 1 million years to decompose, nor is it just a matter of using finite materials. When redundant IT hardware is dumped into landfill, on a roadside, or shipped abroad illegally to be dumped or traded in often third world countries (ii). It is such an issue because IT hardware often contains harmful materials such as lead and mercury.

Once left for extended periods of time, or if people begin trying to take them apart to sell the parts, these harmful materials can escape and leak into the surrounding area, contaminating the soil, groundwater and atmosphere. These chemicals and materials can cause a variety of health problems, such as heavy metal poisoning. It can even cause cancer. We have previously dived into the toxic threat of e-waste more extensively, which you can read more about here.

The IT Hardware Recycling Process

So now we know what can happen when you don’t recycle IT hardware, but what happens when you do?

In terms of your role in this matter, it is simple and straightforward. All you have to do is find a recycling company that can take the redundant IT hardware off your hands and ensure that it will be dealt with responsibly, and that’s it.

For Techbuyer, our Resource Recovery team will then assess the IT equipment they have received, before stripping it down and harvesting it for individual parts and materials. This could look like sending parts such as fans or heat sinks to be repaired if necessary, before being reused. Just because the hardware is beyond repair, doesn’t mean each individual part is.

The other reason that hardware is stripped down to individual parts is to try and separate all of the different materials to make them easier to recycle. Electronics can contain up to 17 of the 35 critical raw materials deemed in short supply by the EU, so maximising yield is important.

Once materials are separated, they are sent to one of our corresponding recycling partners who specialise in each specific material.

Each of these recyclers utilise different techniques. For example, we send circuit boards to The Royal Mint, who utilise chemical leaching to extract gold from PCB boards and us it to create jewellery. Metals such as steel can be reused in building materials, while copper can be remanufactured into wiring. All the materials found in e-waste can also be reused in the manufacturing of new electronic goods.

Recycling IT Equipment with Techbuyer

We provide sustainability focused e-recycling alongside our ITAD and refurbishment process to help reduce the impact of e-waste on our global environment. Our zero-to-landfill policy means that all hardware we receive either gets reused, refurbished, or responsibly disposed of.

If you have any redundant IT hardware, contact us below. Not do we ensure it will not contribute to the e-waste crisis, but you may also receive value from your equipment.

Find out more and fill out a free quote here.