Cut to 2016.
The electronic and home appliances’ industry made a whooping 98.78 billion U.S. dollars in sales. Why is this fact important? It’s because home appliances make up the bulk of waste discarded every year by Americans.
The electronic and home appliances’ industry made a whooping 98.78 billion U.S. dollars in sales. Why is this fact important? It’s because home appliances make up the bulk of waste discarded every year by Americans.
White Goods
In recycling terms, home appliances are also known as white goods. These include all your big household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, television sets, computers, air conditioners, etc.
The reason they are referred to as white goods is because historically, these appliances were coated with white enamel paint. Now, however, they come in all different kinds of colors and finishes and also pose an ever-growing threat to the environment.
Your newly minted appliances though may not be as harmful as your old ones. Thanks to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s laws and regulations, a lot of the newer appliances are built to be environmentally-friendly.
Your newly minted appliances though may not be as harmful as your old ones. Thanks to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s laws and regulations, a lot of the newer appliances are built to be environmentally-friendly.
But why are the old ones so harmful?
Mercury
Some old appliances and their various dials and switches contain large amounts of mercury. Not only is this a highly toxic substance for human beings directly, but mercury is also an environmental pollutant. It can bioaccumulate –organisms on top of the food chain have a higher concentration of the chemical than the smaller organisms they consume that contained even traces of mercury.
Asbestos
Some of the even older versions of modern appliances used to be lined with asbestos. At that point in time, asbestos was cheap and science hadn’t discovered how hazardous it actually was. Asbestos is a dangerous carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) and as such its use is now properly regulated.
Greenhouse Gases
Refrigerants or coolants found in air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers are dangerous greenhouse gases. They contain Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which when released into the atmosphere lead directly to the destruction of the ozone layer.
So what’s the solution to this?
Rather than letting these old appliances clutter your household, you can choose to recycle them. Or simply let your local waste disposal companies handle it for you.
How is that achieved?
Waste disposal companies in Phoenix get rid of your old appliances in a safe and responsible manner. They visit your place to collect these out-of-order white goods and take them where they can be properly dismantled.
How is that achieved?
Waste disposal companies in Phoenix get rid of your old appliances in a safe and responsible manner. They visit your place to collect these out-of-order white goods and take them where they can be properly dismantled.
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