With rapidly changing technology, electronics are becoming
obsolete in shorter periods of time. The U.S. alone discards about 30 million
computers each year. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that only about 15-20% of these computers are
recycled, with the remainder disposed of into landfills.
While IBM is known for being a leading manufacturer of IT
equipment, it is also leading the way in computer disposal and refurbishing,
and has been involved in some element of computer take-back for close to 30
years. In 2012, IBM processed over
750,00 units of recycled IT equipment, of which 250,000 were laptops. They remanufactured almost 67.7 million
pounds of equipment. Of all the
equipment processed, 99.6% of it was reused, preventing it from going into
landfills.
In addition to re-manufacturing and certifying equipment, IBM Global Asset
Recovery Services handles complete removal and dismantling of unwanted or
end-of-life IT products. Each week, IBM
Global Asset Recovery Services takes in more than 40,000 pieces of IT gear from
clients worldwide. The equipment, which includes IBM and non-IBM servers, PCs,
laptops, mainframes, is recycled or refurbished at 22 sites around the world,
Including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, the
United States, and China, helping reduce the impact of e-waste by extending the
life of older IT equipment that would otherwise go to landfills
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