Ecoport Sp. z o.o. sp. k
ul. Podkolejowa 1/5a 42-200 Częstochowa
Tel: +48 782 781 781 email: biuro@ecoport.pl
© Copyright ECOPORT 2023
Electronics recycling
E-waste is an extremely important link in sustainable development – as a source of metals and plastics, it is a valuable raw material supporting the circular economy. What does this mean? By recovering metals from components and integrated circuits, we restore metals for secondary use. Thus, we support the ecological model of production and consumption, reducing the need for mining and further exploitation of metal ores. .
On the other hand, improperly disposed waste electronic equipment becomes a very dangerous waste that threatens the life and health of humans and the ecosystem.
Safe recovery of pure metal fractions from electronic waste is a responsible and complex process requiring appropriate technological facilities, knowledge, and an experienced team.
Electronic
waste
recycling
Electronic waste recycling
We know how to do it!
At our headquarters in Częstochowa, we care about the highest standard of the recycling of electronics: HDDs, PCBs, computers, power supplies, processors, RAM and others. The ISO 9001 certificate confirms that we have implemented and applied the Integrated Quality Management System for the organisation of the collection and processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment. We operate with respect for the environment and in compliance with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System.
To see our current Certificates please use the web link below.
We are the only company in Europe that simultaneously offers the purchase and recycling of HDDs. We can fully recycle hard drives to the highest quality standards. Innovative HDD treatment technology enables efficient management of electronic waste and recovery of pure metal fractions ready for reuse.
In our waste treatment plant, we buy and recycle:
- HDDs and SSDs,
- computer motherboards,
- CD/DVD drives,
- control boards of household appliances and audio/video devices,
- telecommunication boards.
Recycling?
We know how to do it!
All electronic waste that is brought to our facility is sorted and then deconstructed and subjected to further recycling stages, including shredding and separation into individual metal fractions.
In the processing of e-waste, we recover ferrous, non-ferrous and precious metals (gold, silver, palladium, copper). In addition, we have an end-of waste certificate – raw materials recovered in the treatment process become full-value products.
At Ecoport, we recover hundreds of tonnes of recycled materials per month.
We cooperate with suppliers from Poland and abroad. We continuously improve our competence, make use of technological developments by implementing innovations and comply with all regulations and standards in the process of electronic waste management. We work in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 systems.
Q&A
What is e-waste?
E-waste (electronic waste, electronic scrap) is otherwise broken, technologically obsolete or redundant electronic equipment, the repair or further use of which is not economically justified. Electronic waste can include washing machines, vacuum cleaners, computers, battery-operated toys, mobile phones, automotive batteries and accumulators, etc.
Dependence on cutting-edge technology forces us to keep up with current trends, and this is good news for electrical equipment suppliers. Fortunately, there are global environmental initiatives that build awareness of safe waste management. Among them, it is worth distinguishing the active Right to Repair movement. The main postulate of the Right to Repair is to force manufacturers to have greater respect for the lifespan of electronic devices. Technology manufacturers should give consumers the right to repair their devices instead of forcing them to buy new ones.
Environmental education should be carried out continuously and in two ways – separately for technology suppliers and separately for consumers. We are all responsible! After all, what people have produced and improperly managed will backfire on their health. It is never too late to draw a lesson and change our habits!
Dependence on cutting-edge technology forces us to keep up with current trends, and this is good news for electrical equipment suppliers. Fortunately, there are global environmental initiatives that build awareness of safe waste management. Among them, it is worth distinguishing the active Right to Repair movement. The main postulate of the Right to Repair is to force manufacturers to have greater respect for the lifespan of electronic devices. Technology manufacturers should give consumers the right to repair their devices instead of forcing them to buy new ones.
Environmental education should be carried out continuously and in two ways – separately for technology suppliers and separately for consumers. We are all responsible! After all, what people have produced and improperly managed will backfire on their health. It is never too late to draw a lesson and change our habits!
How to deal with e-waste?
E-scrap is a special category of waste that cannot be disposed of with regular rubbish under penalty of a fine. Dismantling e-waste by oneself without a permit is also severely punished. There are several ways to manage electronic waste. For example, you can hand over your used equipment free of charge at the shop where you buy a new device. You can also drop it off at a service centre, take it to a waste electrical and electronic equipment collection point or bring it to Ecoport in person.
When should I dispose of my electronic waste?
Each electronic equipment has its own individual period of use – estimated and guaranteed by the manufacturer. In the case of household appliances and audio/video devices, the manufacturer also confirms its energy class – it is a key indicator that affects the decision-making process at the time of purchase and during the subsequent disposal of the device.
When electronic equipment is permanently damaged/worn out/destroyed, and it happens after the guaranteed use period has expired, it is worth finding out about the type of fault, the possibility of buying spare parts and the cost of repairing the equipment. If the repair of your electronic equipment exceeds the estimated current market value of the device, you should consider parting with your used electronic equipment. For worn-out HDDs and SDDs, it is not worth risking another unexpected data loss! In this case we recommend that you hand over your hard drives to facilities specialising in the safe treatment of precisely this type of e-waste, an example of which is Ecoport.
How are discarded HDDs processed?
We have developed an innovative technology for the full processing of HDDs, which makes us a leader on a European scale. We ensure full compliance with standards and high recovery of pure fractions of metals ready for reuse.
What are the categories of e-waste?
Up to and including 14 August 2018, a classification of e-waste distinguishing 10 groups was in force:
1. Large household appliances (e.g. refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, electric ovens, fans, air conditioners, etc.)
2. Small household appliances (vacuum cleaners, toasters, scales, irons, etc.)
3. IT and telecommunication equipment (computers, printers, telephones, etc.)
4. Audiovisual equipment (radio and television receivers, cameras, etc.)
5. Lighting equipment
6. Electrical and electronic tools (drills, saws, welding machines, soldering machines, electric mowers, etc.)
7. Toys, recreational and sports equipment
8. Medical devices
9. Surveillance and control instruments (heat sensors, temperature regulators, etc.)
10. Vending machines
As of 15 August 2018, Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 entered into force, which established a new division of e-waste into six new categories:
1. Equipment operating on the basis of temperature exchange (refrigerators, heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners, etc.)
2. Screens, monitors, and equipment containing screens having a surface greater than 100 cm2
3. Lamps
4. Large equipment (dishwashers, washing machines, stoves, ovens; music equipment, large-size printers, photovoltaic panels, CCTV systems, etc.)
5. Small equipment (irons, toasters, microwave ovens, radio receivers, etc.)
6. Small IT and telecommunication equipment (no external dimension more than 50 cm, e.g.: mobile phones, printers, routers, tablets, etc.)
The simplified classification of electronic waste was created to eliminate any irregularities in the treatment of e-waste in terms of the choice of disposal method. According to the new classification, the equipment is accounted for by technological groups.