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Today's technology keeps us connected and helps improve our lives, but as the development
of technology continues to advance, product life cycles continue to shrink, which means
electronic waste or eWaste, is growing, and when not managed properly, the results can
be harmful to the environment. As the leading coast-to-coast recycler, Waste Management
is constantly examining the future of electronics recycling, what's next, and how we can best
lead the effort. At Waste Management, environmental stewardship is what we do every day and we're
bringing that leadership to electronic recycling. From destroying digital information to developing
new ways to reduce electronic waste, we're helping our customers set and meet their technology
recycling goals. The benefits of eCycling are significant. After all, eWaste is the
fastest growing type of waste in the world, according to a recent report by the Wall Street
Journal. Electronic waste includes any unwanted electronic equipment, such as computers, printers,
and DVD players that are no longer of use to the owner. The good news is most electronics
can be recycled, or eCycled. Some components can even be reused or refurbished. When you
partner with Waste Management, we can help you make the most of your materials and reduce
your environmental impact. Although we implemented our own stewardship plant in 2002, we also
announced out intention to join the Basel Action Network, or "ban." It's the electronics
recycler's pledge of true stewardship for the proper recycling of electronics waste.
Our processing centers are both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified and have been for more
than 7 years. The
eCycling process is a simple one. First, eWaste is dropped off at a Waste Management eCycling
facility or at any off-site eCycling collection event. Once the electronics arrive, they're
separated into their appropriate categories, such as laptops, televisions, monitors, or
cell phones. Technicians take apart each product, breaking down each material into usable, marketable
commodities, including circuit boards, processor or memory chips, steel cases, and cabling.
Once the materials are reduced to their commodity state -- plastics, metals, glass -- they're
shipped off to manufacturers where they are recycled into new products. We also recognize
the importance of destroying sensitive digital information, so each hard drive is taken to
a special machine where it is broken into four quadrants. These remnants are then shipped
to a partner facility for further shredding. Why choose Waste Management? Every day, businesses
are taking advantage of our convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible eCycling solutions.
"When customers recycle their electronics with Waste Management, they know that those
electronics are going to be recycled responsibly. We are going to de-manufacture those products
and put them into an environment that can be reused." We know the industries environmental
standards and we aim to exceed them so it's imperative that we work with companies that
share our same values. "Waste Management partners with companies such as Sony and LG to provide
a nation-wide network where consumers can drop off their electronics and have those
electronics recycled responsibly." At Waste Management, we believe some of our greatest
eCycling accomplishments are still to come. When you partner with us, we can help you
do the right thing for your business and the environment. "As the world's interest in technology
continues to grow, Waste Management's committed to finding new ways to reuse, recycle, and
dispose of electronics responsibly. As one of the nation's leading electronic recyclers,
we offer world-class facilities, innovative thinking, and a passion for protecting the
environment. Join us, as we recycle electronics the only way we know how -- by thinking green."