At Irvine Company, we are committed to supporting our customers in their initiatives to champion sustainability and protect the environment. One way we lend a hand is by helping them manage America’s fastest growing waste stream: e-waste.
We live in a digital world that relies on evolving technology, but what happens when these electronics become obsolete? In anticipation of our upcoming e-waste drive on September 22, we looked at why it’s vital to safely recycle e-waste and how Waste Management can help.
E-waste, or electronic waste, is an umbrella term used to describe unused or obsolete electronic devices, from televisions and cell phones to computer components and fax machines. Unfortunately, most e-waste ends up in landfills, which results in harmful chemicals and other toxic waste being exposed to humans and the environment. In fact, used electronics currently account for roughly 70 percent of the toxic waste in landfills.
It should be noted that the term “waste” is not entirely accurate; many electronics contain valuable materials such as circuitry and precious metals that can be mined and returned to the marketplace. An estimated $60 million in gold and silver is dumped in landfills every year from old cell phones alone.
Another important consideration in e-waste management is data security. What happens to the secure information stored on electronics? Due to the complexity of the recycling process, we recommend working with a vetted service to ensure that devices are responsibly wiped of any secure data, mined for parts and sent through the appropriate recycling channels.
Fortunately for Irvine Company customers, we have an established relationship with Waste Management. An industry leader, Waste Management offers multiple electronics recycling services to meet a variety of needs — and they can ensure that these services are compliant with state and federal regulations.
With an eye on the future, Irvine Company is committed to the proper management of e-waste. As customers return to the workplace and discover unwanted or obsolete electronics, they can look to Waste Management for guidance on how to responsibly begin the recycling process.
Visit wmlamptracker.com to get started or participate in Irvine Company’s e-waste drive at One North Wacker and 300 North LaSalle on September 22, 2021. Contact your building’s Customer Resource Center to schedule a pick-up and for additional details on acceptable e-waste.