One of the largest problems with recycling electronic equipment is the handling and disposal of Mercury.

Mercury is used in fluorescent lamps, medical equipment, data transmission, telecommunications and mobile phones. Its use in electrical and electronic equipment has declined significantly in recent years and its use is banned (save certain exempt uses) from 2006. Apart from batteries, most other mercury containing items are likely to be found on a circuit board. Thus removing the circuit board would result in the removal of most mercury containing components such as switches. 

Increasing numbers of non-CRT flat panel screens (such as liquid crystal display (LCD), laptop and desktop monitors and plasma screens) are entering the waste stream and requiring specialist treatment.

At Secure Data Recycling we have said before that one of the big issues with Mercury is that the components that contains the mercury are small and therefore can be thrown away within the normal waste, thus ending up in landfill.

To help understand more about the dangers of Mercury and how it can be recycled contact the experts at Secure Data Recycling.