Untitled Document
Welcome to 5R Processors, Ltd.
The electronics recycling industry is emerging and expected to grow rapidly. 5R Processors, Ltd is meeting the e-waste challenge by providing beneficial recycling/reuse services to the commercial sector as well as to consumers. 5R Processors provides asset recovery and disposition services by implementing the five "R" processes resulting in the production of safe, reusable by-products while protecting the environment. We currently maintain facilities in:
Ladysmith, Wisconsin
Glen Flora, Wisconsin
Memphis, Tennessee
Clinton, Tennessee
The 5R Process
Recycle all materials through state of the art end-of-life processing.
Reduce the amount of toxic materials entering landfills globally.
Re-engineer manufactured electronic and other equipment in preparation for re-entrance into the marketplace.
Reuse parts and components.
Reclaim all materials used to manufacture electronic equipment through demanufacturing processes.
5R Processors, Ltd. is a member of
International Association of Electronics Recyclers
What is E-Waste?
Whether generated in your home or office, e-waste includes the broad spectrum of electronic appliances and accessories that have been discarded due to malfunction, exhaustion, or obsolescence. E-waste includes (but is not limited to): personal computers, laptops, televisions, VCR's, cellular phones, and other hand held devices.
Why is E-Waste a Problem?
About 70% of heavy metals (including mercury and
cadmium) found in landfills comes from electronic equipment discards.
315 million computers became obsolete between 1997 and 2004. It is
estimated that 1.2 billion pounds of lead and 2 million pounds of
cadmium were contained in those units.
Computers contain toxic components. Computer circuit boards contain heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. Computer batteries contain cadmium. Brominated flame-retardants are used in printed circuit boards, cables, and plastic casings. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) coated copper cables and plastic computer casings may release highly toxic dioxins and furans when burned. Switches and flat panel screens may contain mercury. Old capacitors and transformers contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) inside older, bulky computer monitors and television sets contain lead oxide and barium.
How Big is the E-Waste Problem?
Advancement of software technologies and designs
shortens the life-span of electronic equipment, forcing volumes of obsolete electronic products into the waste stream. A National Safety Council study reports that over 30 million personal computers become obsolete annually. Between 1980 - 2004 CRT sales were approximately 280 to 330 million, and 130 million new computers were purchased in 2002 world wide.
CRT Sales (in millions):
2000: 28.4
2004: 47.5
2006: 58.85
Total 134.75
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimated that in 2005, nearly 304 million electronics became obsolete in United States households. The EPA estimates that in 2005 alone, consumers put approximately 460 million electronic products into storage or reuse and sent nearly 2 million tons of electronic waste to landfills.
What are you doing with your electronics?
|