The Scrap Recycling Industry: Electronics

The U.S. electronics recycling industry has shown tremendous growth over the past decade. This maturing segment of the scrap recycling industry provides a boost of more than $21 billion to the U.S. economy and employs more than 45,000 full time employees.

The U.S. electronics recycling industry processes in excess of 5 million tons of used and end-of-life electronics equipment annually. More than 70 percent of the collected equipment is manufactured into specification grade commodities, including scrap steel, aluminum, copper, lead, circuit boards, plastics, and glass. These valuable commodities are then sold to basic materials manufacturers as raw material feedstock for new products.

The industry is driven by equipment collected from businesses and commercial interests, comprising up to 75 percent of the market on a volume basis. The electronics recycling industry is poised to meet the anticipated increased demand for more used products and specification grade commodities.

The reuse of used electronics equipment and consumption of commodity grade materials recovered from electronics to manufacture new products:

• Boosts the U.S. economy
• Creates jobs
• Sustains the earth’s natural resources
• Conserves impressive amounts of energy in the manufacturing process
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

Remember, recyclables aren’t waste and recycling isn’t disposal. Obsolete electronics contain marketable scrap commodities.

Sounds great, right? Have electronics (or any other metals) to recycle? Reach out today to discuss implementing your own custom recycling program: here, 214-574-4100, or contact@venturemet.com!