Alkaline batteries, also known as single-use batteries, are the batteries you use each day in things like smoke detectors, remotes, and portable radios. When they run out of energy, it used to be commonplace to throw them into the household trash. In some communities, it’s what people are told to do. Trashing alkaline batteries isn’t the best idea. Alkaline batteries contain high-density manganese dioxide, potassium hydroxide, and zinc. There is a steel casing, paper, and plastic within the entire battery. While all of these are classified as non-toxic by battery manufacturers, it’s not quite ..read more

Electronics recycling is so important, yet people don’t always understand how to recycle items. Plus, about half of the states in the U.S. do not have regulations in place, which adds to the confusion. When your old cellphone, laptop, smart speaker, tablet, or other electronic device is no longer viable, don’t put it in the trash. It’s actually illegal to do so in some areas. Instead, learn more about nationwide electronics initiatives that partner with the nation’s leading e-waste recycling company ERI. Battery Drop-Offs Many hardware and home improvement stores like Ace, Lowes, and Home Depo ..read more

By 2030, Statista estimates the demand for lithium-ion batteries around the world will have increased by 7x. A lot of this growth focuses on the demand for electric vehicles and the decline of gas- or diesel-powered trucks, cars, and SUVs. While lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) help us live technology-rich lives, these rechargeable batteries are also environmental hazards.  When they reach their end of life, they become a hassle. You can’t throw them out, but some areas don’t make recycling them easy. Yet, every lithium-ion battery is filled with valuable resources that provide the opportunit ..read more

Senators Tom Carper, Shelley Moore Capito, and John Boozman reintroduced The Recycling and Composting Accountability Act after it failed to make it past the House in 2022. The goals of this bill are to make it easier for people to recycle electronics and other harder-to-recycle products. As of February 2024, S.1194 hasn’t progressed. E-waste is an ongoing concern, and election years both add to the problems and offer hope for better solutions. What are the effects of democracy on e-waste? Understanding the Complexity of E-Waste E-waste includes all of the electric devices people purchase and u ..read more

When you’re ready to decommission your company’s servers, it has to be done correctly. Work with an expert who understands that data security and environmental protections are just as important as the overall cost.  The best server decommissioning service provider is going to help you stay within your budget but also ensure you’re not at risk of lawsuits, government fines, and legal fees months or years later. Finding that provider isn’t a decision you should rush. Start by Knowing the Steps to a Server Decommissioning Before servers are decommissioned, you must first identify and plan th ..read more

Every company and person possessing computers, printers, copiers, and other electronics must ensure that they destroy the hardware following their country’s standards. Improperly destroying electronics can affect lives and potentially lead to hefty fines, lawsuits, and negative publicity.  Seven years ago, an NBC news affiliate purchased four computers from eBay and Craigslist. Two of the computers were from a police department, and the other two were private sellers. Someone had wiped one computer, but no one had wiped the two computers from the police department. The police computers ha ..read more

FRESNO, Calif., January 10, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ERI, the nation’s largest fully integrated IT and electronics asset disposition provider and cybersecurity-focused hardware destruction company, has successfully met the standards of the e-Stewards Performance Verification (PV) Program in back-to-back years, which includes unannounced random inspections and GPS tracking. An initiative of environmental advocacy organization Basel Action Network, e-Stewards is a market-based solution to help individuals and organizations identify and promote electronics recyclers who ensure that used ele ..read more

As 2023 came to an end, many laws related to electronics and battery recycling passed. Solar panel recycling gained traction. Going into 2024, what regulatory and law changes have passed, and what will be important to know about e-waste laws and regulations? Right to Repair  Have you had a phone, laptop, or other electronic device that needed repair but ended up easier or cheaper to replace than repair? It’s a common issue and one that can be eliminated by introducing right-to-repair laws. Massachusetts passed the first automotive right-to-repair bill act in 2012. But, even with the act ..read more

Servers are the computer hardware and software components that make up a client-server model for a business or organization. You have the server and all the different workstations or devices in an office that connect to it through the network. Servers can: Control access to a company or organization’s network. Run applications and updates Store and manage documents, images, and other files Host websites Deliver email, attachments, and web pages Manage requests like print jobs Servers do not last forever. On average, a server lasts about 10 years, though a well-maintained server may make it t ..read more

In 2020, the EPA released the results of its study on municipal solid waste (MSW). Americans had generated around 292 million tons of MSW. Of that amount: 69 million tons was properly recycled. 25 million tons of food and paper waste was composted. 146 million tons went to a landfill. 34 million tons were incinerated. This accounts for about 4.5 pounds of waste per day, and many recyclables, including e-waste, are improperly disposed of. The sad truth is that e-waste still isn’t fully recycled. In this same report, 99% of lead-acid batteries were recycled properly, but only 38.5% of consumer ..read more