1. E-Recycling: How It’s Done
Virginia Recycling Association
2017 Conference, Virginia Beach VA
Megan Tabb. Synergy Electronics Recycling

2. What are we talking about?
How is e-Scrap processed?
From electronic device to raw material
Risk of Theft and Liability
Easy-to-steal data-bearing devices and how to secure them at your site

3. Synergy Electronics Recycling
2000: Company was founded in Mayodan, NC
2009: Company moved to Madison, NC
Services a geographical area that covers Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Tennessee and West Virginia

4. How is e-Scrap processed?

5. How is e-Scrap processed?
Manual disassembly
Automatic disassembly
Smelters
Refineries
Mills

6. Relative Scrap Values Less Valuable More Valuable $0.00/lb
*Mercury Bulbs
Leaded
Glass
*Precious
Metal
*Batteries
Plastic
Steel
Aluminum
Copper
Less Valuable
More Valuable

7. Manual Disassembly Opposite of an assembly line
Devices are manually separated into their base metals, plastics and circuit boards

8. Manual Disassembly What is disassembled by hand?
Devices that contain components that are hazardous when shredded
Televisions
Monitors
Computers
Battery Backups
Etc
Devices that are too large or too dense to shred
Copiers
Microwaves

9. Glass separation, Smelter/other Wire chopper, Copper Recovery
Baled, Sized
Wire
Plastic
Shredded, Smelted
Copper Recovery
Yoke
Board
CRT
Wire
Glass separation, Smelter/other
Wire chopper, Copper Recovery

10. Composition of a CRT TV

11. Automatic Disassembly
What is disassembled automatically?
Devices that are considered “low grade” (manual teardown is not economical)
Printers
Keyboards
Small appliances
Etc
Why are these items considered “low grade”?
Their circuit board contains very little precious metal
They are mostly plastic by weight
Their copper content is very low

12. Automatic Disassembly
Devices are shredded and separated based on their properties
Magnetics
Charge
Density
Color

13. Plastic Zorba Copper Product Boards Steel
Aluminum Mill
Graded, Sized
Plastic
Zorba
Smelter/Refinery
Copper Smelter
Copper
Product
Boards
Steel
Steel Mill

14. Composition of a Printer

15. What Happens To The Products?

16. What Happens To The Products?
Plastic
Manufacturing Use: New Electronics
Steel
Manufacturing Use: Automobiles, Airplanes, Appliances, Building Material, Plumbing Parts
Copper Product
Manufacturing Use: Electrical Equipment, Plumbing, Alloys (brass, bronze, etc)

17. What Happens To The Products?
Zorba (Aluminum)
Manufacturing Use: Automobiles, Airplanes, Building Material
Circuit Boards (Precious Metals)
Manufacturing Use: Jewelry, Electronic Connectors, New Circuit Boards
Leaded Glass (CRTs)
Manufacturing Use: Ceramic Tiles, Bullets, Weights, Solder, Radiation Shielding

18. Theft and Liability Risk

19. What Items Contain Data?
Desktop Computers
Laptop Computers
Mobile Phones
Tablets
Copiers/Printers

20. Theft and Liability Risk: Mobile Phones

21. Theft and Liability Risk: Mobile Phones
Easy to take because they are small
Can contain as much personal information as a computer hard drive
Can be reactivated on the owner’s account

22. Theft and Liability Risk: How to Prevent It

23. Theft and Liability Risk: How to Prevent It
Have collection site monitored at all times

24. Theft and Liability Risk: How to Prevent It
Consider having a locked storage bin where residents can immediately place “easy to take” data-bearing devices (cell phones, loose hard drives)

25. Theft and Liability Risk: How to Prevent It
Secure other data-bearing devices (ie computers) when the site is not monitored

26. Questions Megan Tabb. Synergy Electronics Recycling