Step By Step: Laptop Recycling Procedure
Laptop Recycling Procedure
It is not as simple as tossing a laptop in the trash. Laptops contain precious metals that require extensive natural resources to produce, along with harmful chemicals that cannot be allowed in landfills. In addition, the mechanical components of laptops release hazardous substances when discarded.
This is why it is important to recycle your laptop. ProTek Recycling uses only reputable electronics recyclers that follow NYS environmental laws. This way, you can be sure that your old laptop won’t end up in the local dump and contribute to the toxic waste within the dumping site.
Before handing over your computer for laptop recycling, it is a good idea to perform a factory reset and deep clean of the device. This will ensure that any sensitive information stored on the hard drive is securely wiped and can’t be recovered even by sophisticated methods. If you want to go a step further, consider using software programs like DataErase or Darin’s Boot to destroy the data on your hard drive.
Step By Step: Laptop Recycling Procedure
Once the laptop has been wiped and deep cleaned, it is ready for the next step in the process: individual components are dismantled and sorted. Recyclable parts are grouped together and shipped off to industries that can use them. Nonreusable parts are shredded and disposed of safely.
Metals like copper, silver, and gold are extracted from laptop components such as motherboards, CPUs, and optical drives. These valuable metals are then recycled and reused in the manufacturing of new laptops. Other materials such as plastics and glass are also recycled and reused.
It is a good idea to backup your information on a regular basis, either in the cloud or to an external hard drive. This will prevent you from losing your information and make it easy to restore if necessary. Before you send your old laptop for recycling, it is a good idea to wipe the hard drive and destroy the battery, as this will prevent personal information from falling into the wrong hands.
If you are upgrading to a new laptop, try to sell your old one instead of throwing it away. You may be able to get a decent price for it from a local computer store or online retailer. If you cannot sell it, donate it to a school or non-profit organization. This will help the environment as well as a deserving recipient. It is important to choose a certified electronics recycler when selling or donating your old electronic devices, such as a Macbook or Windows Laptop. A certified recycler will have demonstrated through audits and other means that they meet specific EPA environmental impact standards. They will also provide ongoing oversight to ensure that they continue to do so.