Iphone 5 Release May Result In More E-Waste

With the release of the new iPhone, more consumers will be finding ways to dispose of their old cell phones. With the millions of iPhones expected to be sold, there will be an increase in e-waste as consumers decide the best way to throw away their older generation iPhones. Whether you’re upgrading to an iPhone 5 or another cell phone device make sure to dispose of your old phone properly. Most of us are guilty of leaving our old cell phones in our drawers only to collect dust. According to 2009 statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency, less than 10 percent of old phones are eventually recycled. There are various eco-friendly ways of getting rid of your old phone, which is why there should no excuse as to why we cannot adhere to proper e-waste recycling. Today, donating cell phones to charity or/and recycling has been much easier than in recent years. Many cell companies including Verizon, Apple, and T-Mobile provide recycling programs like smartphone buybacks and charitable take-back programs. Just like recycling paper and cans, recycling e-waste should become a habit. As a society, we must find a responsible way of recycling e-waste. Much like recycling paper, bottles, and cans, recycling cell phones dramatically helps the environment as it prevents hazardous materials like lead and mercury from being released into the air and landfills. Recycling also helps save energy and preserves reusable materials that can later be manufactured. E-waste has become one of the fastest growing waste streams in the nation, which is why we must work together to encourage proper recycling and educate people about data destruction methods. Many of us aren't aware of the amount of waste that is exported to third world countries.

Before you decide to go to an e-waste recycling company, be aware of the company’s guidelines and code of ethics. There are a surprising number of e-waste recycling companies that dump phones into a shipping container and send them off to developing countries which have little to no safety or health regulations. All e-waste recycling firms handle waste and destroy data in a different matter, which is why it is essential to find an e-waste company that is abiding by HIPAA guidelines and is either a NAID member or/and is NAID certified. West Coast Computer Recycler is just one of the many e-waste and data destruction firms based in the greater Los Angeles that is known for its strict adherence to HIPAA rules. There are many opportunities to recycle your e-waste. For instance, many local e-waste companies hold free e-waste collections where you can drop off any of your unwanted electronics. Many e-waste companies provide different services for recycling purposes and data destruction needs. Although many phone and electronic companies offer buyback programs, you should take a few precautions before deciding to participate in such programs. Don’t be fooled into thinking you are doing an eco-friendly deed by participating in some of these programs. It is not unusual for companies to practice inferior disposal methods. For instance, some companies would gather up all e-waste collected and auction them to the highest bidder where they are then exported to developing countries. A much more ideal way of recycling e-waste is through a qualified recycling center where you can rest assured that your e-waste is correctly disposed of.