E-Recycling: How It’s Done Virginia Recycling Association 2017 Conference, Virginia Beach VA Megan Tabb. Synergy Electronics Recycling 765-438-1297. mtabb@synergyrecycling.com
What are we talking about? How is e-Scrap processed? From electronic device to raw material Risk of Theft and Liability Easy-to-steal data-bearing devices and how to secure them at your site
Synergy Electronics Recycling 2000: Company was founded in Mayodan, NC 2009: Company moved to Madison, NC Services a geographical area that covers Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Tennessee and West Virginia
How is e-Scrap processed?
How is e-Scrap processed? Manual disassembly Automatic disassembly Smelters Refineries Mills
Relative Scrap Values Less Valuable More Valuable $0.00/lb *Mercury Bulbs Leaded Glass *Precious Metal *Batteries Plastic Steel Aluminum Copper Less Valuable More Valuable
Manual Disassembly Opposite of an assembly line Devices are manually separated into their base metals, plastics and circuit boards
Manual Disassembly What is disassembled by hand? Devices that contain components that are hazardous when shredded Televisions Monitors Computers Battery Backups Etc Devices that are too large or too dense to shred Copiers Microwaves
Glass separation, Smelter/other Wire chopper, Copper Recovery Baled, Sized Wire Plastic Shredded, Smelted Copper Recovery Yoke Board CRT Wire Glass separation, Smelter/other Wire chopper, Copper Recovery
Composition of a CRT TV
Automatic Disassembly What is disassembled automatically? Devices that are considered “low grade” (manual teardown is not economical) Printers Keyboards Small appliances Etc Why are these items considered “low grade”? Their circuit board contains very little precious metal They are mostly plastic by weight Their copper content is very low
Automatic Disassembly Devices are shredded and separated based on their properties Magnetics Charge Density Color
Plastic Zorba Copper Product Boards Steel Aluminum Mill Graded, Sized Plastic Zorba Smelter/Refinery Copper Smelter Copper Product Boards Steel Steel Mill
Composition of a Printer
What Happens To The Products?
What Happens To The Products? Plastic Manufacturing Use: New Electronics Steel Manufacturing Use: Automobiles, Airplanes, Appliances, Building Material, Plumbing Parts Copper Product Manufacturing Use: Electrical Equipment, Plumbing, Alloys (brass, bronze, etc)
What Happens To The Products? Zorba (Aluminum) Manufacturing Use: Automobiles, Airplanes, Building Material Circuit Boards (Precious Metals) Manufacturing Use: Jewelry, Electronic Connectors, New Circuit Boards Leaded Glass (CRTs) Manufacturing Use: Ceramic Tiles, Bullets, Weights, Solder, Radiation Shielding
Theft and Liability Risk
What Items Contain Data? Desktop Computers Laptop Computers Mobile Phones Tablets Copiers/Printers
Theft and Liability Risk: Mobile Phones
Theft and Liability Risk: Mobile Phones Easy to take because they are small Can contain as much personal information as a computer hard drive Can be reactivated on the owner’s account
Theft and Liability Risk: How to Prevent It
Theft and Liability Risk: How to Prevent It Have collection site monitored at all times
Theft and Liability Risk: How to Prevent It Consider having a locked storage bin where residents can immediately place “easy to take” data-bearing devices (cell phones, loose hard drives)
Theft and Liability Risk: How to Prevent It Secure other data-bearing devices (ie computers) when the site is not monitored
Questions Megan Tabb. Synergy Electronics Recycling 765-438-1297. mtabb@synergyrecycling.com