5 Eye-Opening Reasons to Choose Certified E-Waste Recycling Agencies

Published on: 23 November 2020 Last Updated on: 15 June 2021
E-Waste Recycling

Let’s see if this situation sounds familiar.

You just bought the latest phone on the market. And, like any responsible citizen, you took the old gadget to an e-waste recycling center and deposited it. You walked out of the center confident that the old phone would be taken care of safely. You then forgot about the gadget altogether.

Well! The story doesn’t quite end there. And, if you are an environmentally conscious person, you may want to take a closer look behind the scenes to identify what happens to the redundant and used devices once they leave your ownership.

Did You Check for the Certification of the E-Waste Recycling Center?

Should you check this feature on MoneyCrashers, you will come across an interesting observation. Delivering your e-waste to a recycling agency does not guarantee safe disposal. That’s because many such centers use unscrupulous methods to get rid of the gadgets. While the measures they use may comply with U.S. e-waste management regulations, they could cause severe damage to the environment in other offshore locations. The only way you can get complete assurance that the old electronics will be taken care of the right way is if you deposit them at certified recycling centers.

Alternatively, you can exchange them at the original manufacturer. It might interest you to know that in the year 2015, Apple accepted and recycled 90 million pounds of electronic gadgets to extract usable materials. These materials included plastic, 6612 pounds of silver, 2.9 million pounds of copper, and 2204 pounds of gold.

Choosing a certified e-waste recycling agency when getting rid of old and used electronics ensures that your gadgets will not end up in landfills and pollute the environment around your hometown. But, that’s just one good reason. Here are 4 more.

1. Recycling Agencies Choose Supposedly Economical Methods for IT Asset Disposal:

Recycling Agencies Choose Supposedly Economical Methods for IT Asset Disposal

You might think that you’re doing your bit to help the environment by recycling cell phones and other devices. But, keep in mind that although the recovered materials are valuable, the recycling process is not exactly economical for regular agencies. Extracting metals for reuse involves a careful process using the right kind of equipment and trained personnel. To save on the expense of dismantling old gadgets and separating the useful materials, most agencies simply ship them off to third-world countries.

Would you like to know how the process works? Containers reaching the shores of the U.S. from Hong Kong and other vendor companies across the world are typically sent back empty after the goods are unloaded from them. In an attempt to cash in on the reverse transportation, the giant cargo boxes are now filled with used electronics and sent to Far East destinations under the guise of donations for philanthropic purposes.

2. Environmental Damage is Transferred to Third World Countries:

When the gadgets make their way to countries like China, Ghana, and India, unskilled laborers including young children burn them in giant pits. Once the process is complete, all that remains is the precious metals that are sorted out without any regard for the toxic materials in the ashes. These poisons like arsenic, bromates, lead, and cadmium not only leach into the soil and underground water, but also cause various illnesses among the people who handle them or live around the processing plants. To know more about the extent of the damage, read this article in the Smithsonian magazine.

If you’re looking for e-waste recycling procedures that protect the environment not just in your country, but also in any other location around the world, deliver your devices to certified agencies.

3. Irresponsible E-Waste Recycling is the Largest Cause of Data Breaches:

Should you work with a licensed recycling company, the expert professionals will make sure to dispose of the hard drives in them securely. They may use DoD-approved multiple overwriting or shredding protocols to erase the data and make it impossible to decipher.

Why is this important? According to PBS, The U.S. State Department has identified Ghana as the top sources of data leaks in the world. Hard drives from discarded electronics are easily available to hackers here at $35 apiece. Even novice cybercriminals can retrieve records of online transactions, credit cards, personal financial data, and various other kinds of sensitive information.

Enoch Kwesi Messiah is a computer scientist at the Regent University in Accra. He reveals, “I can get your bank numbers and I retrieve all your money from your accounts. If ever somebody gets your hard drive, he can get every information about you from the drive, no matter where it is hidden.”

A shocking incident reported in recent times involves the details of a government contract worth $22 million that were extracted from an old hard drive. When attempts were made to locate the source, it was traced back to Northrop Grumman, one of the military contractors of the country. The drive also held highly classified information about contracts with Homeland Security, NASA, and the U.S. defense intelligence agency.

Think about it! If government agencies can become the targets of millions of dollars worth of data breaches, your information is a much easier target.

4. Recycling Lowers Wastage of the Earth’s Resources:

Reusing gadgets and recovering reusable materials from them will help reverse some of the wastage of the earth’s resources. Should you check some of the statistics revealed by ThoughtCo., you will learn that the power saved by recycling a cell phone can run a laptop for 44 hours. If all of the 130 million phones annually discarded in the U.S. were recycled, the energy saved could power 24,000 homes for a whole year. Other than gold, silver, and copper, cell phones also contain palladium, platinum, tin, and zinc, all of which are metals that can be used and reused several times over simply by adopting the proper e-waste recycling methods.

Responsible e-waste recycling is now more about protecting the environment in your country. The problem has become so huge that you need to take a step back and carefully view the big picture. Saving the earth begins with every citizen who upgrades to a new gadget. Have you REALLY done your bit?

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Rolex

4 Facts That Only Rolex Fans Know

If you’re looking to buy second hand Rolex, or if you’re just interested in learning more about the famous watch brand, it can be hard to separate the facts from the fiction. One of the most interesting questions that Rolex fans are always asking themselves is whether or not certain statements about the brand are true or false. If you’re reading this, you probably already know that Rolex is one of the most prestigious watch brands in the world, and has been since it started making timepieces in 1905. But even if you’re a seasoned Rolex lover, there are probably still plenty of fun facts that aren’t common knowledge. 4 Facts About Rolex Let’s take a look at some of these lesser-known factoids about Rolex watches, so you can have something interesting to share with your fellow enthusiasts when they come over to gawk at your impressive timepiece collection! 1. The 10-Day Turnaround Rolexes are known for their quality, but also for being difficult to repair. This is why Rolex offers a 10-day turnaround on all repairs. This means that if you send in your watch to be fixed, you can have it back within 10 days! You'll need to pay a service fee and will be responsible for shipping costs though. The date window. Ever wonder how Rolex tells time? Well, the date window is not just any old thing—it's actually made from platinum! 2. The First Waterproof Watch In 1926, Rolex invented the first waterproof watch. It was a men's watch with a steel case that had an acrylic crystal and was fitted with a gasket to seal the crown. In 1927, they designed their most popular model. The Oyster Perpetual Submariner. Made of platinum, it has a 40mm dial with a rotating bezel used for calculating dive time. With a high-domed sapphire crystal and water resistance of up to 200 meters (about 650 feet), it remains one of the company's most iconic watches. 3. The World's Most Expensive Watch The most expensive watch in the world is currently the Patek Philippe Super complication, which was sold for $11 million in 1999. It's so complicated that it needed to be taken apart and put back together again after being bought! The most expensive watch ever made is the Chopard 201 Carat Watch, which contains 203 carats of diamonds and was worth $25 million. If you're interested in a more modestly priced timepiece but still want to wear luxury on your wrist, then check out these 4 facts about Rolex watches. 4. Fake Rolex Watches Can Be Authenticated Rolex watches are also popular with counterfeiters, which is why it's important to know how to identify fake Rolex watches. The easiest way to do this is by looking at the watch's face. If you can see the word Swiss or Swiss Made printed below the Rolex crown logo on the watch face, then that means you're looking at a genuine Rolex. This can be hard to spot for some people who don't have a lot of experience with these luxury brands, so if you're still not sure, then it's always best to consult an expert jeweler or authorized dealer for help in determining whether or not your watch is authentic. Additionals: Best 5 Smartwatches for Youngsters What are the Best Watch Brands to Buy in 2019? Wearable devices and data security: maximize the likelihood of success

READ MOREDetails
Hearing Aid

Hearing Aid Devices: The Ultimate Guideline

Hearing loss is one of the most emerging issues in the world right now!! There are no age boundaries for developing this condition. And you must have seen many people wearing a device on their ears. -Yes, like earphones!!! But those are not earphones. Instead, those are hearing devices people with mild or severe hearing loss use. Deafness, partial deafness, or sudden hearing loss disable people from hearing to sudden sound frequencies. Researchers are still on the go to find the perfect remedy for hearing loss but are still far from achieving the goal!!! Until now, one of the most effective remedies for deafness has been hearing devices or hearing aids. Therefore, through this article, I’ll tell you what hearing aids are and what you should grab for your hearing loss. So read till the end to the “ULTIMATE GUIDELINE” of hearing aids!!!! Hearing Aids: What Is It? These are small devices that people wear behind their ears. Hearing aids are designed in such a way that they can amplify or make the sounds louder. Therefore, those who face issues in hearing or communicating can easily use them. The specialty of these devices is that they can help you hear in both noisy and quiet environments. This device has three different compartments: a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker. The microphone captures the sound, converts it into electrical signals, and sends it to the amplifier. The amplifier then boosts the sound and releases it into the ear with the speaker’s help. These are the essential functions of a hearing aid device, which don’t cost much. How Can It Help? The primary job of this device is to help you hear sounds so that you can easily communicate with the people around you. It can be challenging for many people, especially those with severe hearing loss. Just imagine, there was a time when you used to communicate with your friends and family, but now you cannot communicate at all because you cannot listen to what they say. Painful, isn’t it? The same thing happens to those who suffer from such conditions. But these hearing aids can be a gift to their “soundless lives.” They can hear people speaking, and they also communicate with them. Before these devices were invented, those who had hearing loss isolated themselves and put them away from environmental communications. That’s because they feel embarrassed to show up in front of the public. But now, with these hearing devices, they can relive the moments that they thought were lost!!!! How Will You Know If You Need An Aid? In this case, you can always go for a check-up with your audiologist, who will help you carry out a hearing test. These tests can also be carried out online. The benefit of an online hearing test is that you don’t have to go to the clinic; instead, you can take the test just by sitting at home. But make sure when you are taking these tests the rooms are pin-drop silent. Otherwise, you won’t be able to take the test correctly, and it will affect your test results. Also, keep in mind to use good quality earphones for these tests. I suggest you go to the clinic and talk with the audiologist directly, as he’ll help you out with this hearing issue!!!! As they are highly professional, they’ll help you with all the ins and outs regarding this matter!!! Types Of Hearing Aids That You Can Get There are various types of hearing aids that you’ll find!!!! These have different features and designs. Each suits another purpose, but one common thing between all these devices is that they will help you hear again.0 Behind-The-Ear: These hearing aids are made up of hard plastic, and it’s worn behind the outer ear. All electronic compartments stay behind the ear. The tube that’s connected to the hearing aid is put inside the ear. The sound then passes through the line and into your inner ear. A new version of the device has no sort of outer fits; instead, it’s open-fit, making it look like a “Bluetooth Earphone.” And this new version of the device is also very reliable!!! These devices are used by people of all ages who suffer from ”mild” hearing loss or partial deafness. In-The-Ear: These devices are more high-tech than the behind-the-ear devices. People of all ages also use in-the-ear hearing aids and are only applicable for mild deafness. The hearing aid is directly connected to the outer ear, and in this device, you’ll also find an extra feature that’s the “telecoil.” Telecoils are tiny magnetic coils that help the user receive the sound through the circulatory instead of the microphone. This can be very helpful to people, especially when they talk over the phone or are in crowded places. But it’s highly recommended for adults of all ages but not for young children as the casing of this hearing aid might need to be replaced often as the size of the ear increases. Canal: Canal aids come in two forms: the “in-the-canal” and “completely-in-canal.” The in-the-canal is designed so that it easily fits the shape and size of a person’s ear. The completely in-canal is more advanced as this hearing aid directly fits into the ear canal, keeping it hidden. The best part of this aid (completely-in-canal) is that people will not see this device; hence, there will be no chance for them to identify whether you are suffering from hearing loss or not. But the only issue that you might face is adjusting these devices as they are tiny in size. These devices are not usually suggested for young children. Moreover, this device should only be used for mild or moderate hearing loss and only when your audiologist will recommend it!!! I hope this article will now give you a complete guide to hearing aid devices!! Choosing Hearing Aids: 5 Things To Consider Before Buying You must explore the options of hearing aids you have before you choose something. There’s more to it than just the types of aids available in the market. Here are a few things to remember when choosing a hearing aid. Get Yourself A Checkup. First, get your hearing tested and checked by a specialist. If the reason for your hearing problems is temporary, then they’ll help you decide accordingly. But, if it’s because of earwax or infections, then they might rule out the need for one. Consult With An Audiologist The best thing would be to take a referral to an audiologist from your doctor. They’ll check your hearing abilities and adjust a device tailored to your needs. This might be for one ear or for both. Ask For A Trial Period When getting a hearing aid, make sure that you are buying one with a trial period. This is important since you don’t know if the product you are buying will fit you or not. If it’s not your size or feels discomforting, you may want to exchange it. That’s why it’s important to know whether there’s a trial aid or not. Also, consider if the amount of the device’s trail period is adjusted to the final price or not. It’s also good to consider if they have a refund policy. Think For Future Needs When considering a hearing aid, consider one that’ll work with increased powers. If your hearing capability reduces, you’ll need something better to help you listen. But, if you have to change it, then it’s better to opt for other options. Check For A Warranty Some hearing aids provide you with a warranty for a period. Also, in that period, check if you can claim part replacement or get any technical problems solved through their technicians. Warranty periods and terms are also considerable parameters for choosing the right hearing aid. How Much Does Hearing Aid Cost? Hearing aids cost around $1000 to $3500. If you are getting one that costs around $3000, then you’re spending around $5.50 to $6 dollar per day for the next 4 years. However, it does not necessarily have to be of the same price since the price range starts at $1000. Bottom Line No two products are the same. So, when buying your hearing aid, first consider what helps your health. Take help from your audiologist in choosing the right specifications. Then, take your budget and warranty into consideration. In many cases, you can also get your hearing aids insured when they are expensive. But the best results won’t come until you keep using them and adjust your hearing capabilities with their help. Read Also: Important Habits to Protect Your Ear Health and Hearing Headphones vs Earbuds: How to Choose for the Best Music Experience

READ MOREDetails
Best Landline Phones

How To Choose Best Landline Phones In 2020

Having the best landline phones means crystal clear sound output and generous cordless range. Buy the wrong one and you might travel your whole house just to have clear communication with your friend and relatives. Cordless phones are evolving with the technology and have maintained their uniqueness amid the smartphone era. Cordless phones come in handy when you are living in an area where the network fluctuates.  In this article, we will discuss how best landline phones work and what are the methods that you can choose to get your hands on some of the best landline phones in India. Buying Guide of Best Landline Phones It is very important to go through all the features before buying a landline phone. Having an ample amount of knowledge about landline phones will certainly help you to find the best landline phones in India. Here are the things that you must consider before buying landline phones. 1. Range The range is the most important factor that you must consider before buying a landline phone. Here the range we are talking about the landline phones is the range in which you can comfortably call and receive calls. Cordless phones or landline phones are mostly used for offices or at home. So, you would like them to be in such a manner that they didn’t lose connection in the between important talk.  Most of the landline line forms have good long-distance communication, while others have less. However, you must consider all the other factors as well that might cause problems with landline communications. 2. Structure Here structure means the physical body and appearance of the landline phones. Several brands offer different types of landline phones. And each model comes with its custom design. This design mostly helps users with comfortable handling of landline phones while communications. In this matter, your choice will greatly affect the kind of landline phones you want to buy. Whether you are buying for the official use or for home purposes, your decision to choose one will be decided by their use. 3. Types of handsets There are different types of handsets. In the market, you will find a single set handset, double set handset, and multiple set handset. The number of handsets you will buy depends on the uses. Also, you will get a discount with multiple handsets. Earlier, to use the multiple set of handsets, you needed to have the same manufacturer. But with the new technologies, this boundary has been breached. Today, if your handset is integrated with the new technology, then there are chances that different manufactured handsets can be easily connected. 4. Caller Id features Caller ID features are essential for any landline phone. With this feature, you will not only be able to view the number, but you will also be able to see the name of the caller and the country code. This way you will easily be bale deduced from where the call is coming. Today, the caller ID features have now become part of the service providers. So to avail of the services, you have to make sure that your landline phone is supported by the DECT (Digital enhanced cordless technology) technology. 5. Battery The best part of the landline phones is that they are directly powered by electricity. Hence, you don't have to charge them. You can just plug them to the power currency and you will be all set to use them. However, there are new models of landline phones that do come with the rechargeable system.  That means, you can recharge them and use them and once the power is below the red line you can simply put them on charge again. This feature was recently added to the landline p[hiones to make office work efficient. 6. Brand As a customer, we certainly look at the brands of landline phones.  The brands are the entities that provide a source of trustee on the product. without a reliable brand, customers might not show their faith in the product. Hence, the brand becomes very important while choosing the best landline phones in India. There are several errands in the market that boast of selling some of the best landline phones in India. Panasonic, Philips, Motorola Beetel are some of the top brands that are considered among the best brands for landline phones. These brands have a large customer base and provide high-quality products to their customers. 7. Price India has a price-sensitive market. Here people see the price of the product before looking at the quality of the product. And this is the reason you will find different types of products in the market. Starting from the cheap and low-quality product to the high premium quality product. No matter what your budget is, you can easily afford a landline phone. However, you will find the differences in their performance quality with the price ranges. With the low price of landline phones, you might not find the quality.  But with high budget landline phones, it is guaranteed to get good quality products. Read Also: Layman’s Guide for Improving Your Phone’s Signal Strength Phone Recruiting – Out of Date, or Even Better? 5 of the Coolest Cases for the iPhone 6S How Can BYOD Improve Your Productivity? Reduce Your Exposure to Radiation When Using Your Mobile Phone

READ MOREDetails