How New Jersey’s E-Cycle Program Makes Reuse a Smarter Choice
We wake up to the sound of our alarm. Among the first things we do after waking up is check our phone. After that, we warm our breakfast in the microwave. Moving forward, we spend our day at work looking and getting things done on a computer screen. Yes, you’d be thinking, “I was here to learn about e-cycle. Why are we talking about the day-to-day routine?” The answer? We want to show you that we interact with electronic items from the moment we wake up till sleep.
If these electronic items are so important, how can we just throw them away when they’re outdated or have a minor working issue? Why don’t we refurbish them and keep using them instead of throwing them away (and causing more harm to the planet)?
When we reuse an electronic device, it can have far more benefits than we realize. One way to understand the significance of this is that New Jersey has officially launched an e-cycle program (administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection) that encourages reuse before recycling. With all that in mind, let’s talk about New Jersey’s E-Cycle program and how it benefits everyone.
The E‑Waste Problem: Why It Matters
Have you seen those trash trucks that come outside your home and pick up the waste? Seeing those large piles will make you think that food and other waste products are the highest stream of global waste. As true as it may be right now, e-waste, being the fastest-growing waste stream, is quickly catching up. You never know, by the time you’re reading this, e-waste will be the highest waste stream in the world.
According to a United Nations report, the world created 62 million tons of e-waste in 2022. They also anticipate that this number is expected to grow to 82 million tons by the year 2030.
Many of the devices thrown in the general waste contain valuable items like copper and other earth materials. Having said that, there are various other harmful equipment as well, including lead, mercury, cadmium, and more. Improper e-waste management in New Jersey or anywhere else can lead to significant issues like health complications, an impacted ozone layer, and wasted economic potential.
What Is New Jersey’s E‑Cycle Program?
Seeing the growth in e-waste and the harm it can cause, the New Jersey government took a step by introducing an e-cycle program that is administered directly by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) under the Electronic Waste Management Act. This program provides a free drop-off for all the covered electronics for residents and small businesses (having fewer than 50 employees). The covered electronic devices include monitors, computers, laptops, desktop printers, and many others.
According to the latest numbers of 2023, New Jersey’s E-Cycle program collected almost 53 million pounds of e-waste. With such a large number, they’re doing something right, and people are taking advantage of this service. The most likely question in your mind right now would be, “But who looks after the recycling?” Here, the manufacturers take responsibility to help with the e-waste management, from funding the process, collecting the equipment, and following eco-friendly techniques.
How It Works?
Collection Sites:
Convenient location with an expert staff, along with assisting those who can’t lift weights.
Authorized Recyclers:
Certified entities must strictly comply with the rules for storage, secure data handling, and legal transportation.
Responsible Recycling:
Manufacturers need to verify that the recycling facilities meet the NJ and federal standards. Meaning, non-toxic export or no informal dumps.
Scope of the Program
When you are opting for this program, here are some of the items you can recycle.
- Personal computers, laptops, tablets
- Desktops, printers, scanners
- Television (LCD and CRT)
Reuse vs. Recycling: What’s the Difference?
Now comes the battle between two well-known methods to deal with e-waste: reuse and recycling. We’ve all been there, using them interchangeably as if they mean the same thing. But in reality, recycling aims to break down the materials to create new ones, whereas reuse is all about using the same product for a different purpose, instead of throwing it in the trash.
In other words, while recycle is hell-bent on giving the product a full makeover through methods like shredding, melting, and degaussing, reuse is more accommodating, giving it a new purpose in life for a new owner.
Why Reuse?
Reading the difference, reuse seems to be the nice guy (or girl) being more understanding and wanting the device to find a new life objective. But what exactly does reuse bring to the table? Let’s look at some of the advantages of reusing.
1. Lesser New Production
Reusing the electronic materials means reduced production of new materials. This impacts the new rare material (like earth metals, cobalt, and lithium) extraction. With less mining of these products, the carbon emissions are also reduced.
For example, by extending the life of a laptop by just one year, you can reduce the harmful carbon emissions by 25%
2. Bridging the Digital Divide
Before throwing away your electronic products, have you ever realized that the material can be useful for someone else? If you send the electronic product to the e-cycle program and have it refurbished for reuse, you’ll serve the community. How? Your electronic device (that you thought was worthless) can be donated or sold at a low price to a person who needs it. This might be a student, a low-income household, or a nonprofit organization. So, you’re ultimately empowering someone by sending your electronic item for reuse.
One of the examples of this, be it from a different location in Portland, Oregon, a non-profit organization named Free Geek launched a program that involved 2000 volunteers, and allowed them to donate 4400 devices to people who need them, in just one year.
3. Reducing the Risk of Data Exposure
When you throw away your electronic devices, thinking you’ve destroyed them, there’s always a chance someone can get a hand of them and recover your sensitive data. That’s where using New Jersey’s E-Cycle program can give you a sigh of relief. When expert e-waste recyclers look after your electronic devices, they use reliable techniques to ensure your data is securely removed. This means no one can access your data when the electronic device becomes operational for reuse.
Why Recycle?
Although reuse is often the first and preferred option, recycling remains a critical part of responsible e-waste management, especially for devices that no longer function or are beyond repair. Here are the reasons why recycling becomes important.
1. Recovers Valuable Materials
Recycling is more than just crushing and demolishing. When done right (by certified experts), it can extract valuable resources from the electronic materials. These include metals like gold, silver, copper, and more. Need an example? According to a report, e-waste contains 60 times more gold than mined ore.
2. Prevents Illegal Export and Dumping
When electronics are recycled through certified programs like New Jersey’s E-Cycle, they are processed under strict environmental standards. This is unlike recycling through informal global markets, where e-waste is often burned or dumped.
3. Enables Circular Economy
Recycling feeds raw materials into the supply chain, reducing dependence on virgin extraction. This supports a circular economy in which materials are continually reused and repurposed.
How E‑Cycle Supports Reuse in New Jersey?
No, New Jersey won’t destroy your electronic devices in the name of recycling. To start with, all electronic items are evaluated for reuse. Here’s what you get when opting for e-cycle support from the New Jersey program.
• Partnerships with Refurbishers
When sending your electronic devices to New Jersey’s e-cycle program, you’re not giving them to amateurs who don’t know what they’re doing. Your devices are with certified and experienced professionals who test and repair your devices, making them ready for resale and donation.
• Consumer Engagement
The NJDEP is known for advertising and marketing on various platforms to spread awareness through bulletins and other methods. It’s no different with the e-cycle program; it has a detailed FAQ page on the website and a lot of other information to prevent confusion.
• Logistics for Access
As they’ve advertised a free pickup from your doorstep, the NJDEP has taken up the challenge to serve heavily populated and mobility-challenged areas.
On the other hand, if the item is too large or heavy, and you want extra assistance, that’s also available in the e-cycle program. Remember, the state allows these manufacturers to charge a premium for this service. Make sure to confirm their fee before opting for their services.
Here’s a success story…
We’ve already touched upon Free Geek and how they’ve been reusing electronic devices to help those who need them. Now, let’s look at one of the many examples from New Jersey and how the E-Cycle program has done wonders.
One of the certified recycling facilities in Middlesex County has helped Fortune 1000 clients deal with electronics no longer used by the original owner. If we talk about numbers, it has processed well over 375,000 pounds of electronics, along with 4800 feet of fluorescent tubes. In 2003 alone, they took 1.4 million pounds of material from the landfill for recycling and reuse.
What You Can Do: Participate Smartly
After discussing the role of New Jersey’s government and the e-cycle initiative, here’s your role.
Donate When Possible
It’s not necessary to wait for the electronic device to become completely non-functional. You can donate the device when it’s working okay, but isn’t serving your purpose. These can include:
- Slow laptop speed.
- Minor problem with the desktop display.
- The television has a blurry screen.
There are various manufacturers of New Jersey’s e-cycle program who accept functional electronics for donation. You can also donate them directly to the people you think are worthy, whether to an individual or an organization.
Drop Off Correctly
Among the long list of certified facilities, find the collection spot that’s near your location. You can also keep an eye on the facilities that support reuse or swapping.
Spread Awareness
As small a step as it may seem, it’s your responsibility to spread the word about this facility introduced by the government. Talk to the neighbors, advocate against premature electronic device discards, and take other steps to make people realize a better way to get rid of their assets.
Challenges of E-Cycling
E-Cycle is effective, but that might not be true all the time. They come with their own set of challenges, which you’d want to know about. Let’s talk about them.
Consumer habits
When we talk about disposing of e-waste, the first thought in people’s minds is either recycling or tossing it away. Reuse is a concept that people are getting their hands on.
Device obsolescence
Sometimes, the operating system of an electronic device might be outdated, and the relevant hardware is unavailable.
Repair complexity
In many devices, the parts and items that can make them work again (for reusing) are unavailable due to being proprietary or for other reasons.
The Final Word
This New Jersey e-waste incentive is a step forward in making the world a better place by eliminating the harmful impacts of throwing electronic equipment. For smooth e-cycling, it’s essential to dispose of the device before it becomes obsolete, ensure that the parts of the device are available, and develop a habit of e-cycling instead of throwing.
From energy-efficient methods to giving a second life to your electronic device, which can benefit those who need it, this e-cycle program is a win-win situation for us and everyone around.
Together, by showing responsibility through reliable e-waste recyclers, we can make the world safer for future generations.
About The Author Kelly Sampson
Kelly Sampson is a writer, blogger, and environmental enthusiast. She has strong opinions about climate change, the dogs vs. cats debate, and Oxford commas. She has lent Hummingbird International her engaging and spirited voice and turned our blog into a great place to find valuable information about e-waste, e-waste recycling, and the ITAD industry. Explore our blog to read more of her work.
