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Is green good? Yes, but it can also be golden. In today’s economy, businesses can take advantage of new technology to recycle outdated equipment. However, many people are not aware that the products they use everyday can be recycled in a cost effective manner.
Across the country, the e -recycling industry is taking advantage of new technology that makes recycling both cost effective and environmentally friendly. Each day businesses dispose of countless products that can be reused and recycled.
Here are the facts regarding some of the everyday products that businesses use:
- One metric ton of electronic scrap from personal computers has more gold than 17 metric tons of gold ore.
- In 1998 the amount of gold recovered from electronic scrap in the U.S. was equivalent to more than 2 million metric tons of gold ore & waste.
- Every day Americans use enough steel to construct a pipe running from Los Angeles to New York… and back.
- Every year Americans use enough plastic film to shrink wrap Texas
- Recycling aluminum and paper saves 92% and 65% of the energy cost to use virgin material, respectively
These are substantial numbers that can have a positive impact on both the environment and businesses. Why would you want old equipment sitting in a landfill indefinitely when it can be recycled and distributed in the open marketplace? Everyday e-recycling companies can turn tens of millions of pounds of scrap metal, paper, cardboard, plastics and electronics into useful commodities. This is a win for your bottom line, and the environment.
Before disposing your old computer systems, take a minute to learn how companies can recycle those materials in a way that benefits the environment and your bottom line. Your computer may be outdated, but the components inside the computer hold a tremendous amount of value. Everything from the motherboard to the plastic case can be recycled and reused. Recycling outdated computers is an immediate step that every business can take to improve their carbon footprint.
How do businesses defer the cost of these green initiatives? Cost avoidance programs are one of the major catalysts of this movement. Waste costs money to move. However, much of this cost can be avoided due to the fact that e-recycling companies are able to sell in the marketplace what you thought was garbage.
As the public becomes more aware of the benefits of making environmentally friendly business decisions, the business community can lead the charge in this direction. As emerging markets turn into developed economies, there will be an influx of potentially reusable products. However, there is no need to wait. Individual businesses can make decisions today that will have a positive impact on both the environment and their bottom line.