In the article, Why Do We Need ITAD? It’s the Law, we covered the legal reasons why asset disposition is important, laws that govern data privacy, and the penalties that follow if companies don’t comply with the laws in place. In this article, we’ll uncover how a properly managed IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) program can help save the planet from a steadily growing amount of e-waste that, without being checked, will pollute our ecosystems for generations to come.
The Problem of E-waste
E-waste is a massive global problem that seems to be growing in severity every year. This trend is expected to continue, with projections showing that by 2030, annual e-waste generation worldwide is likely to increase by approximately 30 percent. With this level of growth, business as usual (i.e. a linear economy) is not an option!
But it’s not just the overwhelming volume of e-waste, it’s the toxicity! Putting aside the amount of e-waste generated over the last few years, electronic devices contain dangerous chemicals and heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, beryllium, and lithium – a typical piece of electronic equipment, like a laptop, may contain all of these.
Though many corporations are making great changes to their manufacturing processes to reduce the amount of waste, the consequences of improper e-waste disposal in landfills still pose a serious threat to public health and can pollute ecosystems for generations to come. Improperly disposed electronics end up in landfills, toxic chemicals are released, impacting the earth’s air, soil, water, and ultimately, human health.
That's why Apto has changed the way we recycle with a simplified downstream supply chain for improved reporting and ultimate transparency.
Saving the Global Ecosystem Requires New Thinking
In ITAD 1.0, we uncovered common problems in the downstream recycling process such as lack of visibility and a co-mingling of materials that resulted in inadequate tracking and muddied reporting. In the era of ITAD 2.0, we clarify this reporting and improve visibility and ensure each company in the supply chain is being responsible and accountable. Where once we had a confusing web of downstream vendors, we now have a simplified downstream supply chain.
Apto is proud to introduce new innovations that have changed the way we track and report on the downstream in the reverse logistics process - these innovations have accelerated the path for our clients to create a more closed-looped future. Although a shift towards a new supply chain process fully supports the goal of the circular economy and meets the global e-waste problem head-on with a solution and an attainable way to get there.
Watch our webinar to see how far we've come and learn how you can join this movement.