More and more companies are focused on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals than ever before. A key component to meeting ESG goals is managing the electronic waste (e-waste) that is created  by your organization. Why is e-waste important and why does it matter to ESGs? Find out in this post.

The Rise of E-waste

With the rise of electronics over the past decade, we have been producing a lot more e-waste than before. The efficiency and convenience offered by these devices is often taken for granted, but they are not without their drawbacks. As our reliance on electronics increases, so does the amount of waste that’s produced when they break down or lose functionality.

More than 50 million tons of e-waste is generated globally each year, with the vast majority of it ending up in landfills. This e-waste is hazardous to human health, with documented risk to the brain, nervous system, lungs and kidneys, as well as links to certain cancers. Toxic residues can leak and contaminate the soil, air and water, affecting surrounding ecosystems where the local communities grow their food, hunt and fish. The hazardous substances are also spread to other continents through the air and the sea.

This means that organizations need to be more proactive to ensure their waste is handled responsibly; otherwise they risk damaging their ESG score in addition to damaging the environment!

Electronics recycling benefits the environment in multiple ways

You may not be able to see them, but your electronics contain harmful materials that can wind up in the environment. Here's how you can minimize your impact:

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Electronics recycling reduces energy consumption by removing the need for manufacturing new products. The U.S. EPA estimates that recycled plastic uses up to 68% less energy than virgin material, and recycled aluminum requires 54% less energy than mining it out of the ground.

• Reduced water pollution and waste disposal costs associated with hazardous substances like lead, mercury and arsenic found in some electronic components.

• Less air pollution from smelting metals required to make new electronics.

Electronics recycling delivers ESG goals

Electronics recycling delivers on ESG goals in several different ways.

• Electronics recycling supports ethical sourcing by using recycled materials to make new products, rather than consuming virgin materials and contributing to deforestation and habitat destruction.

• Electronic recycling allows for continuous improvement of the product by finding ways to improve component longevity and reduce environmental impact through technical advancements or innovative material choices.

• Electronics recycling is part of a circular economy model that ensures the long term viability of resources by creating new uses for them before they become waste streams themselves. The circular economy naturally reduces resource consumption while simultaneously increasing efficiency, reducing pollution and improving profitability for businesses involved in it (including yours!).

Electronics recycling is part of a circular economy model

In a circular economy, the value of products and materials never expires. Rather than being discarded after use, they are kept in circulation for as long as possible—through repair, reuse and recycling. When products do reach the end of their useful lives, they are recycled into new materials rather than ending up in a landfill.

eLoop offers nonprofits, small businesses and individuals the sale of high quality remanufactured computer equipment at about half the cost of new units. By using remanufactured laptops and desktops, organizations can save money, positively impact their ESG rankings, and make a difference. For every laptop eLoop provides, e-waste is prevented and 190,000 liters of water are saved – enough drinking water for more than 700 years for the average American. Remanufactured computers are available for purchase here. 

This model of business can help organizations reduce their costs related to waste management while also increasing efficiency by reducing the amount of resources needed to create a product or service. In addition, it results in more value for customers who benefit from longer-lasting products that require less waste disposal at home or work spaces.

Electronics recycling supports ethical sourcing 

• Sourcing of raw materials

• Sourcing of products

• Sourcing of services

• Sourcing of labor (through outsourced work)

• Sourcing of capital (through investments)

• Sourcing of energy (through energy use)

• Water sourcing may vary depending on the electronics recycling company's location, but we've made sure to implement water-efficient processes in our plants.

Electronics recycling allows for continuous improvement

Electronics recycling is a continuous process. It's not a one-time event, nor is it something that you can just put on hold until the next time you need to deal with your company's used electronics. Electronics recycling requires continuous improvement in order to be successful over the long term.

As part of this continuous improvement process, it's important for organizations to set goals and track their progress so they can see how well they're doing at meeting those goals. Setting specific goals will help keep your business moving forward on its ESG journey—and make sure you're recycling responsibly by keeping up with industry best practices! 

Certified e-Stewards recycling companies like eLoop can guide you in this process. 

No matter what your organization's ESG goals are, electronics recycling can help you achieve them.

If you're interested in achieving your ESG goals, electronics recycling is an asset. It's a circular economy model that can help you reduce pollution and waste. In fact, it's part of the circular economy model: one of the four most common types of eco-friendly business practices (the others being zero-waste manufacturing, repairing goods instead of replacing them and selling refurbished goods). Find an e-Stewards certified recycler such as eLoop to assist you in having a proper electronics recycling program. For more information, go here.