Electronic Recycling

Recycled doesn’t always mean destroyed

If you are in Iowa, Nebraska, or Colorado, electronics recycling comes with a lot of risks, including the following:

Data breach, as you don’t know where your computer waste ends up
Chemical leaks when the electronics start to decompose
Legal troubles for failing to adhere to the recycling guidelines mentioned under the list of acceptable items for each state

Always work with reliable companies like DataShield for all your electronics recycling needs in Iowa, Colorado, and Nebraska.

Do you have old computers sitting around your home or office?

Would you like to get rid of outdated televisions, printers, monitors, and cell phones, but you don’t know how? DataShield is a nationally certified information disposal service company that serves clients in Iowa, Colorado, and Nebraska.

Understanding E-waste

E-waste refers to electronics that have reached the end of their usable life. Billions of cell phones are manufactured annually, with an average lifespan of just over one year. This makes sense when you consider that Apple is developing new phones every year.

Additionally, the lifespan of such devices can be even shorter due to adverse events, such as drops or water damage.

When you add other electronics, like televisions and laptops, to the billions of new phones cycling through the hands of individuals each year, the amount of e-waste quickly racks up. Even smaller devices, like speakers and Bluetooth players, contribute to the growing electronic waste pollution in the world.

Electronics is the fastest-growing source of trash on the planet, and the United States is the single largest producer of e-waste.

Electronics make up the fastest growing source of waste on the planet, and the United States is the single largest producer of electronic waste.

Recycling Old Electronics

1

The information stored on your old electronics should never fall into the wrong hands.

2

Unless you work with certified professionals who are trained and compliant in secure data destruction, you’re putting yourself at risk if you simply toss them.

3

Landfills can’t ensure your data is destroyed and out of risk of being stolen and misused. Plus, chemicals in the electronics could hurt someone if not thrown away properly.

DataShield offers custom solutions so you can safely recycle the old electronics stacking up in the corner.

Our Electronic Recycling Services

Our team of professionals offer a wide range of electronic recycling services, and these include the following:

Computer Recycling

Disposing of and recycling old computers is one of the most popular requests we get for electronics recycling. When you want to get rid of the old towers, hard drives, monitors, cords, and other computer parts, DataShield is here to help.

Our team of professionals physically shreds the hard drives and storage components, leaving no trace behind. In addition to that, we don’t resell used devices like many other recycling businesses.

With us, your data is irrevocable. You can stay and watch the demolition if you want. Once we destroy your data, we take the scrap materials from the computer and recycle or incinerate them, depending on the parts and the universal waste regulations.

TV Recycling

Old televisions are challenging to get rid of, but very important to dispose of safely. Some electronics may contain various harmful chemicals, requiring proper treatment before disposal.

At DataShield, our experts are ready to take that old TV off your hands and dispose of it properly, preventing harm or damage to the people and environment.

The style, brand, or weight of the TV doesn’t matter. We have the knowledge and equipment to recycle any type of television in a safe and responsible manner.

Cell Phone Recycling

If you’re like many Americans, you’ve probably had at least two or three cell phones by now — or even more!

With how cellular contracts work these days, many people find themselves stuck with owning old phones and chargers they no longer use.

Whether you have personal or company cell phones, chances are there’s confidential data stored on your devices. That’s why you need DataShield to help you dispose of your old electronics safely.

Our professionals will wipe all of your data, including contacts, apps, passwords, notes, and more, from your unwanted devices. We’ll then recycle them so that they’re put to good use.

Why should you recycle your small electronics?

DataShield is committed to doing our part to preserve the environment. We ensure every piece of your old equipment is properly recycled.

Electronic scrap contains hazardous and non-biodegradable materials, such as lead, lead solder, plastic, copper, chromium, beryllium, cadmium, barium, nickel, and zinc. That’s not all, as older devices may have mercury, which can harm adults, children, and animals.

Handling the chemicals in electronic devices safely and treating them as hazardous is essential. At DataShield, we recycle what we can in accordance with strict universal waste regulations and properly dispose of dangerous and non-biodegradable materials.

Local Electronics Recycling in Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado!

We are proud to bring excellent customer service, industry expertise, and trusted staff to many regions across Nebraska and Western Iowa. Our vision is to see local communities practice safe and secure recycling of their electronics.

We currently serve the following communities:

Benefits of Electronic Recycling:

1

A Cleaner Environment

Electronic recycling can prevent landfills from filling up with electronic waste. Not only does this waste space, but it can also spread harmful toxins and contaminates the groundwater. Recycling your electronics can help prevent environmental pollution caused by dangerous toxins.

2

Conserves Natural Resources

There are several materials that can be reused from recycling your old electronics. These materials can be used to create new products and reduce the need to find new, raw material.

3

Supports the Less Fortunate

Believe it or not, participating in electronic recycling and donating your old electronics can play a very important role for low-income families, schools, and non-profit organizations. Your donation could supply individuals with a refurbished computer, mobile device, or other technologies that could not have been afforded otherwise.

What Happens When You Don't Recycle Your Unwanted Electronics?

Whether it is an old computer, cellphone, or any other electronic equipment, it’s important to recycle them to reduce the impact the manufacturing sector has on the environment.

Electronics Crowd Landfills in the States and Overseas

Landfills are standardized throughout the United States, but did you know that they actually make it harder for solid waste to decompose over time? This is because these places are designed to bury waste and prevent it from coming in contact with the air or groundwater.

Unfortunately, these landfills have limited capacity, which is why it’s important to consider recycling whatever materials you can. That said, the United States does not dispose of all of its waste. In most cases, it’s transferred overseas to countries that do not have the facilities to process electronic trash.

What’s concerning is that many companies assure customers their e-waste is responsibly recycled within the United States. However, according to the Basel Action Network, a Seattle-based e-waste watchdog group, tracking devices placed in old computers, printers, and TVs dropped off at recycling centers revealed that approximately one-third of America’s e-waste is exported — with more than 90% ending up in Asia.

Public Radio International found one such underground scrapyard in Thailand where bosses hire migrant workers from war-torn regions to perform the dangerous work of dissembling e-waste without protective gear for $15 per day. Many of these employees sleep in the very factory that’s wrought with carcinogens.

By coming to Data Shield for all of your e-waste needs, you can rest assured that you won’t be contributing to the exploitation of vulnerable people and environments across the world. We stick to the law, and we do not export any of our recycling overseas.

Electronics Pollute the Environment with Toxic Materials

Since electronics contain harmful chemicals, their decomposition can lead to leaks into the soil and groundwater, contaminating agricultural land and freshwater sources.

At DataShield, we recycle what we can according to the strict guidelines set by universal waste regulations and dispose of hazardous and non-biodegradable materials.

How to Recycle Old Electronics

Our transparent three-step electronics recycling process can help local retailers, businesses, and homeowners play their role in ensuring a healthy and happy planet. It includes the following:

1. Call for Electronics Recycling Services

Whether it’s toner cartridges, televisions, computer towers, or other equipment, DataShield has the skills and expertise to dispose of your old electronics properly. Simply dump all your unwanted gadgets into our lockable containers and schedule a pickup.

2. Have the Old Electronics Transported

Electronics recycling involves a lot of complex processes. Professionals must dispose of electrical chips, plastic, and other harmful materials while addressing the toxic chemicals. This requires specialized equipment and know-how.

At DataShield, we have the resources, tools, and knowledge to offer reliable electronics recycling services. We will send a specialized vehicle to your premises to collect the lockable containers filled with unwanted gadgets and transport them to our secure and licensed facility for further processing.

3. Recycle and Transform

When the lockable containers arrive at our facility, we open all of them under strict supervision to ensure that anything that contains your personal data or sensitive information doesn’t get into the wrong hands.

After properly sorting out the old electronics, our professionals will begin the recycling process. Each item category receives special treatment to ensure that the computer waste doesn’t end up in landfills.

Instead, we recycle them to create new and innovative products. This reduces environmental damage, saves on natural resources, and keeps electronic data safe from prying eyes.

DataShield offers custom solutions so you can safely recycle the old electronics stacking up in the corner. Call us today!

Compliance

We are AAA NAID Certified and are the first company in Omaha to have staff members with the Certified Secure Destruction Specialist accreditation from NAID.

Learn more

Shred Events

Shred events bring people to your business and lend credibility to your brand. Let us do all the work while you get the credit for it.

Pick a date, and we’ll be there with the personnel and trucks to take care of the documents and electronics you wish to dispose of.

Why Choose DataShield for Electronics Recycling?

While you can dump your old electronics or computer waste at the local recycling center, it comes with a lot of risks. If one of your hard drives ends up in the wrong hands, it could mean trouble for you and your business.

At DataShield, we take your privacy seriously. Here are a few reasons why our clients love working with us:

To Prevent Exploitation of Labor

Most old electronics in the United States end up in developing economies where underpaid workers risk their lives sorting out and disassembling devices without protective gear.

Many of these items contain heavy metals and other hazards that are harmful to the people and the environment since such recycling companies do not have the expertise and resources to dispose of computer waste properly.

By working with us, you choose to have your cell phones, laptops, and other electronic equipment recycled within the United States. We have a secure facility where we sort and treat computer waste while ensuring compliance with the laws implemented by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and other relevant authorities.

To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Companies exploit natural resources to develop products that they sell to consumers. Recycling can help reduce the adverse impact of manufacturing on the environment.

If you live in Iowa, Nebraska, or Colorado, electronics recycling should be of the utmost priority. Contact DataShield today, and our professionals will dispose of the hazardous chemicals and send the recycled waste to our partnered companies to manufacture innovative products.

By working with us, you’re choosing the most reliable electronic recycling Nebraska, Iowa, and Colorado has to offer. We will help you reduce your carbon footprint and play your role in making this world a better place to live in.