Recycling electronic items is not as straightforward as recycling common household items like old newspapers and empty bottles, as these devices contain hazardous materials and chemicals, as well as data (often personal) that require expert handling at plants specifically equipped to safely and responsibly process them. If you’re wondering how exactly e-waste recycling in Singapore looks like for different kinds of electronic items, here’s a little insight into the processes.

Computers

The outer casings of the computer are first stripped, and cables unplugged. Therein lies the most valuable part of the computer — its microprocessor, where traces of gold can be found. Those particles are then mixed with acids that separates them from impurities. Finally, the gold dust is then melted into a bullion. The other metallic components of the computer are also melted down into a mix of molten gold, silver, and copper, which are then cooled and sliced into plates. Other non-metallic recyclable materials include plastic and glass and keyboards and monitors. The most valuable parts are still the metals, and even though a single computer doesn’t contain much of it, most computers are recycled in large quantities, yielding a significant amount of metallic plates, like gold, which will then be repurposed in various ways. For instance, gold plates can be used as dental crowns. To that end, e-recycling in Singapore can actually be quite lucrative in the long run.

Servers

Servers often contain sensitive information, as well as toxic materials like cadmium and mercury, so recycling these items require professional and safe handling, usually by a company that specialises in electronic recycling in Singapore Additionally, your organisation is legally responsible for the disposal and recycling of server equipment, which is why specialised recycling companies are often engaged to oversee the entire process. Besides recycling various materials, all data will be fully destroyed, and all hard drives shredded.

Smart Devices

Before recycling your smart devices, it’s important to first back up the data stored in those devices, especially in the smartphones that we can’t seem to go a day without. Next, smart devices are collected and brought to special recycling centres with expertise in recycling, dismantling, and destroying smart devices. Different gadgets are also categorised during processing, some even being physically deconstructed for components, repurposing, or the extraction of precious metals. What’s left of these devices are then shredded and destroyed to prevent residual data from being recovered or stolen. This can only be achieved through professional electronic recycling in Singapore

Network Equipment

There’s a treasure trove of recyclables to be found in network equipment, such as cables and other electronic and electrical parts. However, like most kinds of e-waste capable of storing sensitive information, a common mistake when recycling network equipment is to leave it loaded with operational settings, which means anyone could log into your network and access your confidential information. Besides separating recyclable materials and disposing of harmful chemicals and elements, specialised e-recycling companies like Metalo will also ensure that all equipment and the data contained within will be fully destroyed.

Additionally, when you take up our services, we provide clients with either a Certificate of Disposal, which is for items that can be repurposed, or a Certificate of Destruction (COD), for items designated for destruction. These are official guarantees that your electronic devices have been responsibly and safely recycled where possible, and destroyed, holding us accountable to NEA should anything go awry.

Here at Metalo, you can save the environment without compromising data security; visit our website for more information about our e-waste recycling services in Singapore.