Creating a Computer Recycling Program for Your Business

Businesses can help the environment by establishing a computer recycling program.  This will prevent old computers and used electronics from ending up in landfills.  E-waste is incredibly toxic and tossing inoperable or outdated computers into the garbage only contributes to what is becoming a massive global problem. 

As manufacturers release new products at cheaper prices, it frequently becomes easier for a business to buy a new and faster device than repair or upgrade an old one.  This has led many businesses to get rid of computers that are even a few years old in favor of newer, sleeker models.  Imagine the number of companies in the U.S. alone.  If everyone is throwing away old computers that is a lot of toxic waste entering our landfills. 

Fortunately, there is a better way.  Computer recycling is both easy and possible.  Here is how you can establish a program for your company. 

• Determine when a device should be replaced.  Create guidelines that define when a computer or other electronic device should be upgraded.  You can tie this to the amount of memory it needs, if it is operating as fast as you want, etc.  Speak with your IT department to identify when it is best to upgrade and create a written policy around it so that employees are not requesting new computers simply because a better quality monitor was released. 
• Establish protocols.  When you are getting rid of a computer, there should be a set of protocols to follow that include wiping the hard drive of any sensitive information.  Assign a person inside your organization with the task of making sure that this is done prior to disposing of the computer.  
• Create a list of recycling options.  There are several ways you can recycle an old computer.  The easiest one is to call Green Tree Recycling because we can work with you and depending on the area, we will even pick up the old computers so that you don’t have to worry about dropping them off yourself.  In our program we donate used devices to schools along with liquidating them. You can also donate old computers to organizations like Goodwill or a local shelter.  You can further engage your employees by creating the list of approved donation spots and letting them decide who they want to work with. 
• Start a donation day.  If your company has a version of spring cleaning where you identify old devices, furniture, supplies, and products that you no longer need – create a donation day and encourage employees to participate.  Ask them to bring items from home that they want to recycle and arrange for all of the electronics to be picked up.  You can also have a charity organization pick up the remaining items so that you know they are going to benefit someone that needs it. 

Establishing a computer recycling program is one way that your company can make a difference.  Recycle items whenever possible and prevent e-waste from entering our landfills and creating additional pollution.

Save Money by Working with Computer Liquidators

Instead of buying new equipment for your home or office, look to liquidators to provide what you need at a reduced price.  This can save your family and your business money.  New versions of computers, appliances, televisions and more are released every year.  With prices at affordable levels, many people upgrade simply to get the next best thing and not necessarily because there is a problem with a particular device. This creates a situation where electronics are dumped into landfills, which creates a massive e-waste problem.

Green Tree Recycling helps keep e-waste out of our landfills by finding ways to recycle and reuse electronics.  We obtain devices from businesses and individuals throughout the area and find ways to repurpose them.  This often includes donating working devices to local schools and charities.  Additionally, we sell units and parts to people who are looking to save money by purchasing a used device.

As a liquidator, we have a lot of computer parts.  If your laptop or computer needs to be repaired or upgraded, we may have what you are looking for.  This can save you money by reducing the need to purchase a new part or a new device altogether.  Additionally, people who want to purchase a new computer, television, or appliance can look through our inventory to determine if anything suits their needs. This can be ideal when purchasing a computer for a child to do homework on or for casual use.  While a work computer may need to run at optimal efficiency, your child doesn't need a high powered machine to type up their book report.  It all depends on what your needs are. 

All of the items that we sell go through an extensive check to ensure that they are working properly and are in good condition. Our goal is to resell items that people can use without having an issue.  This way recycling is promoted by removing something that one person doesn't need and selling it at a reduced price to someone that does. 

Working with Companies

We help with the liquidation process on the other end by picking up unused or unwanted electronics from other companies.  For example, if a company is moving offices and upgrading their equipment, we can pick up their old electronics and keep them out of the trash dump.  At times we will even purchase surplus items from companies that are struggling and looking to liquidate any electronics that they no longer need.  This has become more common as companies look to scale down from large offices and move to more of a work-from-home environment that typically depends on laptops over desktops.

Property managers can also benefit from our services as we provide trash out services after evictions.  This means that if a company or tenant is evicted we can come in and remove all electronics from the property so that there is one less thing for the property manager to worry about before getting the unit ready for the next tenant. 

EWaste: A Global Toxic Waste Dump

Every year anywhere from 20 to 50 million tons of EWaste is disposed of. This number is expected to increase to over 60 million by 2015.  It is extremely toxic and can lead to health problems with the kidneys, bleeding, and lead poisoning among others.  Studies have even shown direct links to problems with the central nervous system. 

 The health risks have only begun to be studied so it is likely that more linkages will be found with additional health issues or diseases. 

The challenge with this type of waste is that it appears to have no end. Consumers throughout the world have developed an appetite for cheap electronics.  There is less of a hassle and sometimes less of a cost associated with buying a new device than repairing the one you have.  This creates a crisis where everything from microwaves to cell phones are being thrown into our landfills. 

EWaste is a global epidemic caused by several factors.  Developing nations are continuing to increase their purchasing power with the growth of their middle class.  Countries like India have fully entered the technology world, as has China.  Additionally, countries like the United States and Europe are shipping their waste to Asian countries for disposal.  Many of these programs are portrayed as electronic recycling but in all actuality they are being dismantled and burned inappropriately and entire communities are suffering from health issues due to the lead and other toxic materials inside of the waste.  The more waste that we produce globally, the worst this problem will become.  We cannot wait to identify solutions to our EWaste problems.  The time is now, and we must act as a global society to solve the issue. Otherwise people groups and the planet will suffer.  

Like most problems, the solution starts at a hyper-local level.  Reducing EWaste starts at home with a commitment to recycle old electronics, rather than throwing them away.  If you no longer have a need for a particular item, there is a good chance that someone else does. Green Tree Recycling has multiple programs in place for recycling electronics.  This is all done on a local level and is a convenient way for you to get rid of old electronics while keeping them out of the landfill. 

Here are several ways we can dispose of your EWaste responsibly:

Donations.  There are many shelters, non-profits, halfway houses and charitable organizations that need used appliances.  A dated refrigerator may not look good in your newly remodeled kitchen, but it will do wonders for a shelter in need of additional food storage.  We work with many deserving organizations. 

Schools.  The team at Green Tree Recycling is committed to making a difference in our local public schools.  We believe that every child should be able to access and learn on a computer.  By gathering old computers that businesses and individuals no longer need, we can supply schools with the equipment necessary to educate the children in our communities. 

To learn more about the EWaste problem and how you can keep things out of landfills, contact Green Tree Recycling today.

New Trends in Electronic Recycling

People throughout the world are learning more about electronic recycling and the importance of keeping old electronics out of landfills.  Between 20 and 50 million tons of EWaste is disposed of on an annual basis.  This staggering number is set to grow as more and more consumers purchase new electronics and dispose of their old ones.  The cheaper they are to manufacture and sell, the more will be purchased, and as their value decreases they will continually be thrown away. 

The EWaste trend is growing to epidemic proportions when considering how toxic the waste actually is.  While electronic waste only makes up around 2 percent of the trash in America’s landfills, it represents 70 percent of the toxic waste.  This number is also deceiving since many electronics are shipped overseas for disposal.  

The lead inside of electronics like cell phones is so toxic that it has been known to cause damage to a persons’ blood, nervous system, and kidneys. Bad electronic recycling programs in Asia have been known to create health problems for entire population groups after the electronics are improperly disposed of.  In the U.S. we need to be aware of these issues in order to protect ourselves, our families, and impoverished people worldwide.  No one should have to dispose of our toxic waste for us. 

Fortunately, as more people become aware of the problem they are able to do something about it and electronic recycling is growing in popularity. In order for e-recycling to work, people need to work with local companies that they can trust.  Otherwise, your waste may end up in a family’s backyard somewhere in Asia, per the current international trends. 

Here are some tips for electronic recycling, the sustainable way:

Donate to a local shelter.  There are domestic violence and homeless shelters that can use a variety of electronics for their day programs.  Many of these organizations provide assistance beyond a place to sleep, and a used computer can be a way for people to apply for jobs or look for housing. 

School programs. Green Tree Recycling works with local public schools to make sure that children of all socioeconomic standings are able to access and learn on a computer.  This is essential for ensuring that they are in line with their peers when graduating.  The lack of, or limited, computer skills is simply not an option in today’s modern world. 

Goodwill.  The local Goodwill or thrift shop will happily take old electronics to sell.  They make a profit, but the funds are put to good use by supporting their charity work.  Interview different companies to find out how much of the proceeds go back into programs and what is spent on overhead. 

Craigslist.  You can donate your old refrigerator, microwave, washer and more on craigslist or another online forum.  People that are handy may want the unit even if it is not working.  This will keep more household electronic items out of the landfill. 

You can make a difference in how much toxic waste enters our environment. Start your own electronic recycling program at home by making a commitment never to throw an electronic away.  Call Green Tree Recycling to learn more about our local recycling programs.

The Truth About EWaste Around the World

Electronics have become part of our very existence, and EWaste is the result of the outdated versions being thrown away. Electronic waste is a global problem with the United States being the second largest culprit, throwing away over 10 million tons of electronics every year.  This includes televisions, cell phones, tablets, PCs, microwaves, refrigerators, and more. When people purchase a new and improved model, the old one typically ends up in the trash. 

When electronics are thrown away they typically end up in landfills with anywhere from 50 to 80 percent entering “recycling” programs in India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Pakistan, and China.  These programs typically have nothing to do with recycling.  Instead, the devices are stripped apart and burned in the backyard of businesses and homes.  This creates a problem with pollution and poor air quality which can negatively impact peoples’ health.  The emissions have even been linked to cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.  To prove this point, a study was conducted in Guiyu, China, the largest “recycling” site in the world.  It found that over 80 percent of the children living there suffered from respiratory illness and were at risk for lead poisoning.  If you factor adults into the study, it is also found that they had a high percentage of digestive and neurological disorders.  

Developed countries in the EU, United States, and throughout the world have been sending their EWaste to developing countries for disposal. This creates a variety of problems that include the transportation and wasted fuel in the transportation prior to the waste reaching the country that is likely to dispose of it in a non-environmentally friendly way that can negatively impact the population. 

The only way to be sure that your electronics are properly recycled is to work with a US based EWaste recycling company.  At Recycling Green Tree, we work with businesses and the local community to gather up electronics that are no longer being used and to repurpose them.  One of our top priorities is working with the public school system to ensure that children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to computers.  This is the modern world and being able to access and use a computer is essential for children being able to compete with their peers.  Unfortunately, many school systems simply don’t have the resources to acquire the computers necessary to supply classrooms or their libraries with what the students need.  This sets students in particular schools at a disadvantage.  We make a difference in their education by recycling old computers so that they can be usable again.  Keep in mind that a slow computer may not work for a busy adult, but for a child learning to type, it works just fine. 

This is only done with community partnerships.  EWaste recycling programs work when everyone participates first by donating the electronics they no longer use then by companies like Recycling Green Tree making sure they find a new home. To learn more about our programs call 1-800-405-6308.

Electronic Recycling and Why You Should Use it

If you have an old electronic device, electronic recycling is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of it.  With millions of gadgets being purchased every year, people have a decision to make: throw it away, recycle it, or give it to someone else.  Unfortunately, too many consumers are simply tossing their devices into the trash can.  According to a study conducted in 2012 by UN organizations and Solving the E-Waste Problem Initiative, 48.9 million tons of electronics are thrown away every year.  That includes phones, televisions, computers, tablets, refrigerators, microwaves, etc.  There is so much electronic waste that it weighs more than 200 Empire State Buildings.

The numbers are projected to increase to over 60 tons by 2017.  The United States is the second largest contributor to electronic waste, second only to China.  We throw away over 10 million tons of electronics a year.  In fact, so many devices are thrown away that experts say many of these are gifts that were never even opened.

This is a massive problem that is bad for the environment and wastes any resources that are still contained within the device.  Many electronics can be taken apart with various components salvaged while others can be given away to someone in need.  People can also use electronic recycling for devices that are no longer functioning.  This keeps electronics out of landfills and in circulation in some form.  Consider a tree.  When it is cut down everything is used including the pulp.  Over time a piece of wood that becomes flooring can be cleaned up and repurposed by someone else.  The same tree, the same material, can be used by multiple people in multiple ways.  Electronics can function the same way.  While they may no longer be useful in their original capacity, part of the device can have a new life through a recycling program.

Some of the ways that electronic devices are being repurposed are:

• Businesses giving old computers to schools and non-profit organizations.  While they may not function with the speed necessary for today’s business climate, they may work splendidly for a third grader typing their first report.
• Old appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, and dryers can be given to half way homes, shelters, and people in need.  The cost of fixing the item may be significantly less than purchasing it brand new, and there is a constant need for these devices.
• Cell phones can be recycled and donated to victims of domestic violence, a current Verizon initiative. 

It may be difficult to know which items are directly useful to other organizations and which ones need to be recycled by salvaging parts or components of the device.  Fortunately, Recycling Green Tree can handle it for you.  They are a local, California company that holds regular electronic recycling events and works directly with businesses with recycling needs.  They collect the device, find the best use for it, and ensure that it stays out of the landfill for years to come.  This is a simple way to help the environment and potentially someone in need.