How Consumer vs. Business Electronic Recycling Differs

Sometimes the definition of “business” and “consumer” even blurs when it comes to recycling e-waste. For instance, the state of New York defines consumers as “an individual, business, corporation, limited partnership, not-for-profit corporation, the state, a public corporation, public school, school district, private or parochial school or board of cooperative educational services or governmental entity located in New York State.” So according to the state of New York, businesses and individual consumers are one in the same. Meanwhile, “any entity involved in a wholesale transaction between a distributor and retailer is not a consumer” in New York. So right away, when looking up state information on e-waste, it’s important to discern what the state considers a “businesses” and a “consumer.” 

For the purposes of this article, we’ll generally define consumers as individuals and businesses as general business entities and nonprofits. Each group has a variety of options for getting rid of e-waste. Below is how the two groups differ in their e-waste needs and how those differences are addressed in the current e-waste recycling model.

Differences in volume

The most striking difference between business and consumer waste is, of course, the question of volume. It comes down to a matter of one person turning in an old cell phone to a business needing to clear out hundreds of computers after a major hardware upgrade. On the consumer end, this is where take-back programs through manufacturers and retailers come in. 

Take-back programs are handy for small loads of electronics like single cell phones, a tablet or a couple of old computers. Common electronics sellers like Best Buy, Staples and Dell offer convenient in-store drop-off options. These types of programs typically come at no charge and are usually geared towards consumers specifically. For instance, Best Buy will not take products from businesses and organizations. 

Along the same lines, general electronic waste collection sites are popular for small volume drop-offs. These usually fall into the consumer realm and may carry a fee. Residents of certain states can usually find a list of collection sites on a state website. 

Recovery programs and corporations are better equipped to handle volume. These are more geared towards large groups like businesses and schools, but may also handle residents. 

Many will even offer a pick-up service. A fee is typically charged and businesses can bring in a designated amount of e-waste, depending on the recycling program. For instance, the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation allows businesses to bring into the facility fewer than 15 complete systems at a fee of $0.20 per pound. Other times a type of business is designated. As an example, RLG Americas will take back e-waste from for-profit companies with 49 or fewer full-time employees. Program rules must be carefully considered. 

Many of these companies also work with manufacturers to make sure e-waste state regulation codes are met, so that’s one less thing for a company to worry about. Although companies should make sure e-recyclers are independently certified, such as through e-Stewards and Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) certifications, which assure environmental and safety compliance. When it comes to working with large volume drop-offs, safety is key so that harmful chemicals are not leaking into groundwater.

The data problem

In terms of security, it’s one thing to be on the consumer end when you need to turn in your cell phone. You just wipe your phone’s data, and many times an associate at a drop-off site can do it for you right before your eyes. Both collection sites and take-back programs usually require the individual to erase all personal data from a device, which is generally very easy on a single device, or maybe two. 

But what about companies with large amounts of sensitive data strewn across multiple machines? That’s where e-waste recycling companies usually come in, again. Most of these companies will have procedures in place for mass personal data purging off of electronics, perfect for large business needs. It’s just a matter of checking around and asking about policies on data purging.

A matter of means

Then there are the corporate giants. For these companies, it may be a matter of e-waste refurbishment, where a businesses reuses, scraps and updates old e-waste itself. This is a more limited method, usually only falling under the realm of technology companies. For instance, Bloomberg reported on IBM’s massive computer rehabilitation policies, where old leased computers and office computers are refurbished and resold, or just scrapped for parts. It may be a good option for companies that have a lot of IT staff. 

Overall, the system comes down to size. The diversity of the e-waste field ranges from an individual dropping off a cell phone at their local Best Buy to a behemoth tech giant’s ability to act as its own recycler. The larger the scale, the more complex the e-waste recycling process becomes. Luckily, the system scales pretty well; it’s just a matter of getting the word out about the right service for the right individual or organization.