Recycle Your Electronics with Novak Sanitary
In a growing digital age of iPhones and Xboxes, we as consumers LOVE our gadgets! And the electronics industry loves our love of the latest and greatest toys on the market.
In 2013, the average number of devices connected to the internet per household surpassed the average number of people per household. In 2014 alone we saw breakthrough gadgets like the vacuumized beard trimmer, Google glass, wireless solar-powered keyboards, smart watches, and the list goes on and on! And there’s no indication we’re slowing down any time soon.
So what are we doing with our abundance of old and outdated technology? Electronic waste, or e-waste and e-scrap, weighs in at more than 2 billion tons each year! That’s more than 2 billion tons of computers, printers, cell phones, televisions, fax machines, radios, etc. that we’re just throwing away. Yikes!
Toxic substances, like mercury, lead, and cadmium to name a few, are commonly found in these disposed electronic items. In 2004, the City of Sioux Falls enacted an ordinance banning e-waste from landfills, finding the chemicals and heavy metals therein often compromise landfill linings. That means these toxic substances can creep into our water supply, crops, and can even make their way into the air when improperly discarded. Sounds scary, but what does that mean for us? Worst case scenario - when consumed, these substances can be lethal.
Enough about the problem, how do we remedy this situation? It’s so simple! Recycling. According to the EPA, only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled. So why isn’t that number higher? A lot of people don’t know most electronics can be refurbished or contain materials that can be used in the making of new products. But even more so, most people just don’t know where to recycle electronics.
We make it simple. Novak Sanitary Services offers special pickup services for all of your electronic recycling. When you contact us, we’ll explain the various recycling options you have, associated fees, and scheduling. Additionally, we’ll recommend other sources for recycling specific electronics or alternatives if you don’t need on-site pickup.
For more information on e-waste and recycling electronics, submit a Special Pickup Request online or call 605-338-7126 today.
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