Why Recycle?

Each year over 50 million computers and monitors end up in landfills. This is not harmless dumping. These items contain large amounts of toxic chemicals, including lead and mercury, both harmful to the environment. However, electronics can still serve a purpose if recycled properly. With so many options available for recycling, it is troubling that the amount of e-waste grows each year. There are many reasons to recycle your old electronics, including legal reasons, financial reasons, practicalities, and concern for the environment.

Legal

In the past decade, federal and state governments havemade many efforts to regulate the recycling of electronics. The federal government has updated the parameters put forth by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). While households are typically exempt from these classifications, businesses and organizations must comply.

Under this RCRA, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) is set at a maximum of 5mg/l. Anything higher is deemed as toxic waste and must be recycled properly and documented. Keep in mind that the average color monitor contains about 18.5mg/l of lead. Those who violate this act face heavy penalties.

The Federal Trade Commission is also responsible for making sure that sensitive information is disposed of properly. Many companies store sensitive information on hard drives, including credit information, consumer history, and trade secrets. This information cannot be discarded as trash. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 set forth regulations for disposal of electronic documents and hard drives.

In 2008, the Texas State Government followed suit, introducing its own set of environmental quality acts. The Texas Administrative Code states that manufacturers must include a publicly available recycling plan. This ensures that all electronics consumers have convenient and readily available options for recycling.

In order to avoid fines and penalties, it is important to follow state and federal regulations to the letter. Bass Computers, Inc. can help you dispose of your unneeded electronics legally and conveniently. Your legal responsibility will be effectively minimized by giving this to a qualified third party.

You can find out more information about the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Computer Equipment Recycling Program at the following website (Note: website opens in new window): http://info.sos.state.tx.us....

Financial

Recycling programs such as the one by Bass Computers, Inc. are less costly to maintain than incineration, dumping, and general waste collection. Additionally, every job is important. Recycling facilities employ thousands and thousands of recycle technicians. More jobs are created per ton of recycling than if it was sent to the dump. This means not exporting waste overseas or simply sending it right back to landfills.

Bass Computers, Inc. offers clients a credit or check for a portion of the recycled items’ value. The credit can be used for future recycling programs or applied towards new technology purchases in our distribution department. You may also convert the credit into a donation to a charitable non-profit organization.

Environment

Our country's landfills are slowly expanding, costing both money on controversial new land-fill sites and precious environmental resources. Efforts made by government organizations, environmental protection groups, and concerned citizens have helped reverse this growth. Without these valiant efforts, the United States will lose countless more acres of land to soil erosion, destroy natural habits, and lose biodiversity.

Additionally, the use of recycled products in manufacturing creates less pollution than if you were to use fresh materials again. Landfills also produce roughly 34% of greenhouse gas emissions. This includes methane emission, which is incredibly potent, even more so than carbon dioxide.

Bass Computers, Inc. is dedicated to responsible recycling. Our recycling machinery and process has always remained sensitive to the environment. We produce minimum waste and maximum recyclable materials.

Recycle Responsibly

In the end, if you choose to recycle, it is important to find a reputable company. It would be unfortunate to contract a recycling company, only to find out that they had the items shipped overseas or sent to a land-fill.

Call Bass Computers, Inc. at 1-800-789-3012 to find out more about our cost-effective and environmentally responsible recycling services.