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