Technological progress has created an overwhelming amount of electronic equipment that becomes obsolete or wears out at an increasingly faster rate. It is estimated that approximately 63 million personal computers are disposed of each year. The National Safety Council predicts that approximately 300 million personal computers will need to be recycled over the next four years, with half of them presently collecting dust in warehouses.

With available landfill space rapidly diminishing, electronic equipment recycling is clearly an emerging alternative. Many of our landfills are filled to capacity and many electronic devices contain materials such as lead and other heavy metals that can be harmful to the environment. Discarded consumer electronics are thought to account for over half of all heavy metals found in our landfills. Computers, for example, are complex assemblies of over 100 materials, many of them contain lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, PVC plastics, brominated flame retardants and various acids. Storing them in landfills or incinerating them doesn't make the problem go away - our air, water or soil may still be contaminated through contact with these materials.

Many computer users assume that deleting data makes it disappear for good. But that's not necessarily the case, and the inadvertent release of proprietary information from discarded computers has become a growing problem, one with potential legal implications. The importance of protecting personal, proprietary and other confidential information has always been a concern. In addition, the legal implications of the Health Care Information Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA) surrounding the use of electronic healthcare related information are significant. ARC Broward Recycling Services can properly and permanently remove all sensitive information designed to provide compliance with:

ARC Broward Electronics Recycling Services include a broad menu of services, including proper recycling of materials, asset management and the secure elimination of proprietary information. In addition, we are providing job opportunities for individuals with disabilities and fees for our services may be tax deductible since we are an IRS Section 501(c) (3) exempt non-profit organization.

Many facilities accept electronic equipment. Knowing what to do with it after it's arrived is critical. Our assessment teams review the materials and recommend that they either be reused in their present form, demanufactured for components or recycled in an environmentally sensitive manner.

If the equipment is to be reused, it is prepared for resale or reuse by individuals in need, charitable or non-profit organizations. First, however, hard drives are wiped clean to prevent the release of proprietary information.

In the "demanufacture" process, reusable components are separated by type and function, then disassembled. Such components might include circuit boards, hard and floppy drives, power supply, cables, metal and plastics. The individual components are then resold on the secondary market.

ARC Broward Electronics Recycling Services can be tailored to meet your needs. Certain services are paid for through a contract between ARC Broward and the Broward County Office of Integrated Waste Management and its "Partner Cities" and are free of charge.

Charges for other services are paid by the business or other entity. Fees vary depending on volume, location, and specific services desired. Tax deductions may be available to offset costs. For example, ARC Broward may pick up computers that are already stacked and wrapped on pallets in a warehouse, or we can go into offices and actually unplug and remove the individual units. Some entities prefer to wipe their hard drives clean themselves. Others prefer to hire ARC Broward for that service. In addition, prices very depending on the type of equipment, and its condition. Older monitors for example are generally not reusable or of value and must be sent to a lead smelting site to safely remove and melt down the lead, a process that involves the costs of disassembly and melting. In addition shipping costs are added since there are few such lead smelting sites in the United States today.

Business entities are required by environmental regulations to be particularly cautious about how they dispose of their computers, cell phones and other electronic equipment. Environmental regulations are changing and a higher degree of responsibility and care must be taken to assure that end of life electronics are properly handled, so that they do not end up in dumpsters or foreign countries in a way that may be environmentally unwise or unsafe. Chief Information Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Risk managers and Chief Executive Officers are making the decision to contract with ARC Broward's Electronics Recycling Services, to assure they are protected and can demonstrate to regulators if necessary that they have taken reasonable precautions to utilize an environmentally responsible service to dispose of such equipment.

ARC Broward offers a menu of services and prices depending on location, volume and the services desired. For example, one option deals with wiping computer hard drives clean to assure protection of sensitive proprietary and other confidential information. This is especially important in order to comply with recent Healthcare Information Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA) regulations. Much of the cost is offset by the fact that ARC Broward is a non-profit Section 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Simply donating your old computer to your favorite charitable organization often results in the unused equipment going into the dumpster. This exposes the organization and the original corporate owner to potential liability. Greater care is required under emerging regulations, and ARC Broward's Electronics Recycling Services has determined how to fill that need and turn it into a way to enhance employment options for individuals with disabilities.