[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Following on from our article regarding the responsible disposal of e-waste, here’s a bit of an outline on what happens after your e-waste is collected for recycling.
Please note: this is the process used at one supplier we use. Process may differ depending on the facility.
The e-waste recycling process:
- A combination of crushers, shredders, density separators, and X-ray sorting technologies are used to sort e-waste into its major recyclable streams including plastics, glass, printed circuit boards, ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
- These product commodities are then sent to downstream recyclers and manufacturers to be used as feed material for further recovery and productions.
- For example Printed Circuit Boards are sent to precious metal refiners where smelting technologies are used to extract precious metals and maximise resource recovery.
- Plastics are sent to recyclers which separates and granulates the material into its different grades eg ABS, HIPS etc.
- The granulated material is then used as feedstock by processing manufacturers to create products such as wheelie bins, water drums and ropes.
- The CRT glass (Cathode Ray Tube – found in old TV sets) is first processed using X-ray technologies and then sent to lead smelters. Here the smelting process not only recovers the lead content in the glass but also uses the glass as a fluxing (chemical cleaning) agent in, therefore resulting in a 100% re-use solution.
- All remaining e-waste is broken down and sent for further downstream processing with approved domestic and international partners (domestic and international).
If you have bulk e-waste that you would like to dispose of responsibly please contact KS Environmental.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]