Recycling centers are only for recycling, right? Not always. The recycling centers of today offer a wide range of services to support communities and businesses wishing to properly dispose of e-waste. Part of the reason for this divestment is a growing demand from corporate and individual clients that want something more from their e-cycling experience or those who need a one-stop shop for all of their recycling needs.
That said, there are myriad services on the market right now through your local recycler. For instance, buyback programs are popular. These offer consumers a way to profit even after their electronic devices are discarded. Other services make transporting e-waste to a recycling center more convenient than ever before or ensure that sensitive data is completely removed from electronic devices en route to or before disposal.
While there may be a number of recycling center service options to choose from, it may help to whittle them down to a select groups of standouts sure to introduce an element of sublime convenience from a local recycling center near you.
1. White glove service
Often associated with high-end retail, white glove service may seem like an out-of-place misnomer in the world of recycling. However, a number of recycling centers have figured out how effective it is to offer a heightened level of convenience when it comes to recycling electronics.
White glove service can sometimes refer to the way that garbage or electronics destined for recycling are collected. Here, white glove service may mean something as simple as the local garbage man who walks your garbage can back up the driveway for you.
It could also mean that a recycling center offers the option of coming directly to your home or business to collect items marked for disposal, or that certain recycling services are performed on site. Services performed on site for customer convenience could include data wiping, ticketing pickup and transport. It is often an excellent fit for companies with limited capacity for collecting and transporting end-of-life devices.
2. Reporting
As with any other industry, reporting is extremely important in electronics recycling. Clients and customers need ways to keep track of the items they dispose as well as ways of documenting that each item has been disposed properly. Often, government regulations and laws require an accounting of recycled items and documentation of the amount of items recycled. A reporting service makes this step quick and convenient.
Many recycling centers offer reporting services to accommodate customers that request them. The best thing about this service is that reports can often be customized and tailored to meet particular needs. For instance, a company may require confirmation of receipt and destruction of items as well as registration of each make and model recycled. Reports may also include a per-pound or per-ton measurement of the amount of items disposed.
3. Data destruction
Privacy is a chief concern, even in the recycling process. This is because sensitive information on items marked for disposal can easily be extracted or exposed before or during the recycling process or compromised en route to a recycling center. Data breaches may also occur post-disposal if the item is not properly discarded. Because businesses can be held responsible by law for these types of data breaches, careful precautions must be taken.
In response to these pressing security issues, many recycling centers offer customers a data destruction service. This service uses either software for data swiping or other physical methods like shredding to erase data contained on electronic hardware prior to recycling. In addition to preventing damaging data breaches, this is an excellent way to ensure the protection of a company brand and to guarantee compliance with state and federal data security laws.
4. Collection events
Since recycling centers have an interest in recycling as much as possible, it only makes sense that some would become capable of organizing collection events. This service is a definite community asset, as it allows the recycling center to partner with local organizations and municipalities to collect electronics and other items for recycling.
Collection events range from just a few hours to multiday events. Recycling centers can assist with the planning, promotion and launch of collection events, and often are the best resources for complete success. Typical collection events consist of a drop-off point located at a business, nonprofit organization, school or other community location. Recycling centers then handle packaging, transport and recycling.
5. Tracking software
Hand-in-hand with reporting services, tracking software may also be offered at recycling centers. This allows companies and customers to track electronic devices sent for disposal throughout the recycling process. During the tracking process, each device is ticketed and tagged in the initial stages of recycling and entered into a database registry that can then be accessed through the software.
Tracking software is a tremendous asset for businesses with large quantities of recyclables that need to account for each device and ensure proper disposal for compliance purposes.
6. Asset refurbishment
Asset refurbishment is one of the many ways that companies and consumers can regain a portion of the money spent on electronic devices. Asset refurbishment is a growing part of the electronics recycling industry, and many businesses and consumers are reaping the benefits of such programs at recycling centers across the country.
Asset refurbishment can give cell phones, tablets, laptops and desktops a second life through reuse or resale. As the market for refurbished devices continues to grow, recycling centers are including asset refurbishment as part of the variety of services available to enhance the recycling experience. When combined with data destruction services, asset refurbishment can be a viable incentive for companies, businesses and consumers.
7. Buyback programs
Similar to asset refurbishment, buyback programs are all about giving electronics a second chance on the market. With buyback programs, however, the emphasis is on making businesses monetary offers in exchange for slightly used electronic devices. This practice keeps electronics out of landfills and provides an incentive to recycle electronics.
When a newer device is still in good condition, as is often the case when a device is discarded in favor of a newly released one, many recycling centers will offer consumers cash for the used device. Of course, the value each device varies according to make, model and condition. A number of buyback programs are seeing positive participation all over the country.
Plenty of good incentive to visit
With the variety of possibilities available, there is plenty of incentive to get involved in electronic recycling. Find a recycling center with services that complement your needs or the needs of your company, then spread the word.