Universal waste disposal regulations require laptops and computer parts to be responsibly recycled. In this regard, Wisconsin has banned the random disposal of e-waste through a series of regulations, encouraging e-waste recycling resulting in a circular economy statewide.
Finding a laptop recycling center near you familiar with the concept of a closed loop system needs to be actively carving a niche in the market. Recycle Technologies has managed to do just that.
Our team realizes our growing reliance on electronic gadgets is leading to an epidemic of obsolete and discarded laptops, with no use anymore. It is our commitment to bringing ecological benefits to the residents of Wisconsin.
In this blog, we will look at our processes for proper laptop recycling, what steps we are taking to minimize electronic recycling, and how you can use our services to play your role in attaining a zero-waste future.
Why Laptop Recycling Matters?
Moving ahead, we need to look at the importance of laptop recycling before learning about the circular economy. E-waste recycling has become a growing menace in recent years, due to a sudden boom in the use of technology gadgets. Donating can be one option unless you choose to ignore the collective impact of environmental pollution. It is why we recommend our clients to opt for recycling laptops instead.
What recycling e-waste does is it breaks the tech down, separating waste from chemical toxins, which otherwise seep out into the ground if thrown away. Other than that, we also get metals and valuable materials because of the breakage. Recycling electronic waste generates a closed loop, where you can reuse and refurbish used gadgets to generate parts for the new ones, without adding any new raw materials.
The problem begins when we realize that things are easier said than done. Out of the whole e-waste generated in the US per year, only 7.2% returns to the production stream. These statistics show that poor e-waste management has a significant burden on the environment and contributes to climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises.
Understanding the Circular Economy
The circular economy is a regenerative system in which products and materials are reused, refurbished, remanufactured, or recycled to extend their lifecycle. This approach contrasts with the traditional linear economy, where products are created, used, and disposed of as waste.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) defines circular economy in terms of a recycling approach towards waste management. What they advocate for the Save Our Seas circular economy approach, Recycle Technologies advocates the same can be done for the e-waste problem.
This recycling close loop system would mean all materials, products and services associated with laptop manufacturing should get reused for as long as possible. A circular economy approach would first highlight the waste generation, its causes, and steps to contain both.
We think of a holistic take where all the stakeholders do their due diligence in making recycling laptops perfectly circular.
Why Making Laptop Recycling a Closed Loop System is beneficial?
Manufacturing laptops so that they break down easily can be a big step towards achieving circularity. Although, it will not be enough. We need to produce tactile, trackable steps to achieve a closed loop for e-waste recycling.
Some of these measures are a direct result of the benefits of creating a circular economy in e-waste management. They are:
Growing Recycling Processes
Recycling promotes the emergence of a circular economy. The circular economy, in return, boosts the reuse of materials and products. This interdependence of processes makes it easier to invest in recycling efforts.
According to a study done by Ellen McArthur Foundation, we can expect energy savings to go up by 12%, and resource productivity to go up by 14%. Reusing laptop spare parts to generate more tech gadgets, or even new laptops, would positively impact energy and resource conservation on global levels.
Ecological Impacts
Overall, we are bound to run out of the earth’s resources required to build gadgets. A circular economy, on the other hand, helps to protect land productivity and soil health by using recycled materials and by minimizing waste.
Moreover, a circular economy reduces the number of primary materials consumed, including plastic and electronic components etc. This is because circular-economy products are meant to endure longer and be reused or recycled, not sent to landfills. Turns out, laptop recycling is a perfect ground for kickstarting circular economy, even just for a trial. The sad part is that we might be overdue the trial period.
Customer Benefits
Besides the environmental benefits, a circular economy provides plenty of benefits for the consumer. Due to the reuse of materials, it discourages practices like planned obsolescence, which means that your products will last longer.
It also promises an increased disposable income since it encourages practices like buying used laptops instead of owning, and other more economic practices. Another huge benefit to the consumer is job creation. To achieve a circular economy, many new industry types will need to emerge. This means that there will be plenty of new jobs available.
A huge worldwide concern is that many environmental practices may take away certain job opportunities, like coal mining or other jobs that revolve around nonrenewable resources. With a move toward a circular economy for computer recycling processes, these jobs will not only be replaced with other opportunities, but even more jobs may emerge.
Conclusion
Achieving a global circular economy might seem like a far-fetched dream. Achieving it for laptop recycling seems not only achievable, but necessary. Today, we need recyclers and policymakers to play a significant role in conserving resources and energy.
When considering recycling laptop options in Minnesota and Wisconsin counties, Recycle Technologies comes out as a clear winner. We believe in bridging the gap to establish a closed loop system for e-waste. It suggests that we are doing all we can to prevent laptop waste from ending up in landfills and incinerators.
Our efforts include highlighting the current efforts, teaching it to people, and increasing them to make e-waste circular economy a viable option for the future. You can learn more about it from our website. Do not forget to choose right.