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In today’s tech-driven world, electronics are indispensable. From smartphones to electric cars, these devices rely on rare earth metals. These metals are essential for modern technology. With the increasing demand for electronics, recycling rare earth metals has never been more critical. Let’s explore what rare earth metals are, where they come from, and why recycling them is so important. What are Rare Earth Metals? Rare earth metals, ...

Introduction In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the phenomenon of planned obsolescence has emerged as a significant factor contributing to electronic waste (e-waste) generation. At Great Lakes Electronics Corporation, we recognize the implications of this practice not only for businesses but also for the environment. This article explores the concept of planned obsolescence, its impact on e-waste, and the crucial role of rare e...

Hazards of Dumping Electronic Waste Imagine piles of old gadgets, silently harming our planet. Yes, it's a real problem: It's called dumping electronic waste!  E-waste is different from regular waste and poses significant hazards. In this blog post, we’ll explore why e-waste is dangerous and how you can discard it safely.  Let’s dive in! The Difference Between Regular Waste & Electronic Waste Regular Waste Regular waste is o...

What if we told you that your company’s old technology is extremely valuable? Through asset recycling, you can take old computers, hard drives, and other unused tech collecting dust in your office and extract company intel, then recycle the device for money. However, you must recycle your tech properly if you don’t want to fall victim to information leaks or cause environmental harm. Want to learn the correct and safest way to recycl...

In this day and age, sustainability and environmental consciousness is increasingly important. When your home electronics reach the end of their lives, you should think of how to dispose of them properly. Whether you know it or not, there are many things in your home that can be recycled, especially your everyday electronics. Electronics contain valuable materials such as metals, plastics, and rare earth elements. Also, they can harbor hazardo...

With the innovation of today’s technologies comes the responsibility of managing the end-of-life cycles for your company’s electronic devices. Correct IT asset disposition (ITAD) is the most effective way to safeguard your business information when your electronics have reached their end. The key is to follow best practices for your ITAD process. Organizations constitute IT assets as any hardware, software, or information that is of value ...

Technological advancements are the cornerstone of modern innovation. But with technology constantly evolving, what happens to the products that are deemed outdated and antiquated? This is precisely why we have laws governing e-waste. Electronic disposal laws are integral for mitigating environmental harm, so it is important to know how to properly recycle your electronics. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of how to dispose of electroni...

For the dynamic realm of filmmaking and video production, technology is the lifeblood that breathes magic into storytelling. The boundaries of creativity and innovation are constantly being pushed, which leads to investing in cutting-edge equipment and cameras to capture moments that leave audiences spellbound.  Yet, amid the rapid pace of technological evolution, the question arises: What do we do with the equipment that has served us well b...

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, one aspect often overlooked is the graceful exit of the old to make way for the new. We will delve into the intricate world of retiring the old servers to make way for the new age of technology in a process called Data Center Decommissioning. We are going to go over some of the pressing questions regarding data center decommissioning. Everything from how to do it to the benefits you’ll see once i...

Lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion) are known for their long battery life. This makes them a popular power source for many different applications and electronics. But, what should you do with Li-ion batteries when they reach the end of their lifecycle? Are lithium batteries recyclable? The quick answer is YES! Lithium-ion batteries are recyclable. However, you should NEVER just throw them into your recycling bin and call it a day. Lithium batteries...