Latest news with #recycling
The Independent
an hour ago
- Health
- The Independent
Charity warns of disposable vapes ‘ticking time bomb' following ban
A 'ticking time bomb' of disposable vapes is set to enter the waste system this week, risking widespread fires because of the incorrect disposal of the devices' batteries, a charity has warned. Electrical Safety First urged vapers not to 'bin the battery' following the ban on the sale of disposable or single-use vapes from June 1. A survey for the charity found almost three in five vapers (58%) plan on throwing their old vapes into their household's general waste or recycling bin, prompting fears of fires in refuse trucks and waste centres. This is despite 71% of vapers admitting that they are aware that improper disposal of vapes can cause fires. Disposable vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, which if damaged can create explosive and highly toxic fires that are almost impossible to put out – a process known as thermal runaway. However, the incorrect disposal of these vapes in the general waste system can cause bigger issues. When general rubbish or recycling is collected, vapes are often crushed, compacted, punctured or soaked in liquids. This can cause the batteries within them to overheat or ignite, leading to fires that put workers at risk, risking millions of pounds worth of damage and disruption to waste services. Even if they do not start a fire, damaged batteries release harmful chemicals and materials that can damage the environment if not recycled responsibly. Many vape retailers offer take-back services for disposable vapes. Some councils also have recycling points at household recycling centres. Consumers can check their local council's website to find out if this is available in their area. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: 'This week we anticipate many disposable vapes will come to the end of their life following the ban. 'With reports of vapers having stockpiled these devices there is a risk that a large number of them could end up in the waste system if they are thrown out incorrectly in the household bin. 'These devices contain lithium-ion batteries that can explode or catch fire if damaged or crushed if they make their way into bin lorries, creating a ticking time bomb that puts refuse workers and communities at serious risk. 'The safest option is to recycle them properly. You can recycle them through retail take-back schemes or at a local recycling centre that has dedicated facilities.' The crackdown on the sale of the devices now makes it illegal for any retailer – ranging from corner shops to supermarkets – to sell them. The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. It follows the soaring use of disposable vapes in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish from the discarding of the devices. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending. Censuswide surveyed 1,003 UK adults who own a disposable vape between May 22-27.
CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
You Can Recycle Your Old Computers and Printers for Free. Here's Where
Summer is almost here, but it's not too late to get that last bit of spring cleaning done. And though it can be difficult to get rid of that old laptop, desktop or printer you've got sitting around -- even when it's been over a decade since you last plugged it in or switched it on -- recycling old tech is important, and it can free up a lot of space in your home. A recent CNET survey found that 31% of US adults are still holding onto unused old devices, including laptops, because they're unsure of what to do with them. The survey also found that 19% of respondents just toss old devices in the trash -- which is actually illegal in many states and can draw hefty fines -- while 29% use a recycling service to dispose of old tech. But there are easy and sustainable ways to clear out all that ancient tech. Recycling computers and printers can be as easy as bringing them to major retailers such as Best Buy, Office Depot and Staples. Some stores will even give you credit for offloading your old devices, as hard as it might be to let go of them. Here's what you need to know about recycling your old tech. For more, learn how to recycle your old phones. What to do before recycling your old computer Wherever you choose to take or mail in your items to be recycled, you'll want to protect your data by removing it as best you can. One way to do this is to perform a factory reset on your computer. Our guide walks you through the process. Where to recycle computers and printers Some retail stores will accept computers and printers for recycling, but it's not always a free service. Policies vary by company. Apple Store You can recycle your old Apple computers, monitors and peripherals, such as printers, for free at an Apple store, but there's a costly catch. According to the Apple Free Recycling program, you must also purchase a qualifying Apple computer or monitor to receive this service. Need another option? A third-party company called Gazelle buys old MacBooks to recycle them. After accepting Gazelle's offer, you print a prepaid label or request a prepaid box and ship the machine to them. Read more: Phone and Laptop Repair Goes Mainstream With Push From iFixit Best Buy stores Best Buy generally accepts up to three household items per household per day to be recycled for free, including desktop computers and printers, as well as other items ranging from e-readers to vacuum cleaners. While three is the limit for most items, there's a higher standard for laptops -- Best Buy will take five of those per household per day. Note that rules for dropping off monitors vary by state, and it's not always free to do so. Best Buy also offers a mail-in recycling service for select items, but that's also not free. A small box that holds up to 6 pounds costs $23, while a large box (up to 15 pounds) costs $30. Office Depot stores Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013. The retailers offer a tech trade-in program both in-store and online where you may be able to get a store gift card in exchange for your old computers and printers. If the device has no trade-in value, the company will recycle it for free. Office Depot also sells its own tech recycling boxes that you can fill with electronics to be recycled and then drop off at the stores, but they aren't free. The small boxes cost $8.39 and hold up to 20 pounds, the medium ones cost $18.29 and hold up to 40 pounds, and the large boxes cost $28 and hold up to 60 pounds. Staples stores You can bring your old desktop computers, laptops, printers and more to the Staples checkout counter to be recycled for free, even if they weren't purchased there. The retailer also has a free at-home battery recycling box which, according to a Staples rep, has led customers to recycle thousands of batteries per week, up from an earlier average of 50 per week. Here's a list of everything that can be recycled at Staples. Read more: How to Factory Reset a MacBook, Windows Laptop or Chromebook How to find an electronics recycling center If you don't live near a major retailer or would rather take your computers and printers to a recycling center, you can locate places near you by using search tools provided by Earth911 and the Consumer Technology Association. Earth911 recycling center Use the recycling center search function on Earth911 to find recycling centers near your ZIP code that accept laptops, desktops and printers. Note that the results may also turn up places that accept mobile phones and not computers or printers, so you may have to do a little filtering. Greener Gadgets recycling center Consult the Consumer Technology Association's Greener Gadgets Recycle Locator to find local recycling centers in your area that will take old items. The search function also allows you to filter the results to separately hunt for places that take computers versus printers.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Quebec's Deposit-Refund System Modernization: Strong Momentum Three Months In
MONTREAL, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - Three months after the launch of the second phase of the deposit-system modernization, the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA), also known as Consignaction, is proud to report very positive results. This success is driven by strong public participation, the rollout of innovative and user-friendly return sites, and the commitment of all deposit-system partners. Since March 1st, the deposit-refund system has been expanded to include all ready-to-drink plastic beverage containers ranging from 100 ml to 2 liters. Transformation of the Quebec return site network The Consignaction network has expanded rapidly, now operating 50 return sites across Quebec — including 11 Consignaction+ and 39 Consignaction sites. Since the launch of the very first Consignaction+ in April 2024, these return points have received more than 130 million deposit-refundable containers. This high volume clearly demonstrates that citizens are embracing the modernization of the deposit-return system, and that the new infrastructure is making the return process easier and more accessible. With over 140 locations already leased across the province, the Consignaction network is set to continue its rapid growth. With over 72,000 users, the Consignaction mobile app is also experiencing strong uptake. The app enables users to receive their deposits electronically and securely at both Consignaction and Consignaction+ sites. Designed for ease of use, it offers access to the express return service and provides a convenient alternative to cash, while also allowing users to track their return history. "The Consignaction team is working tirelessly to deliver a modern, efficient, and accessible deposit-refund system for all Quebecers. The public's enthusiastic response to the modernization, along with the dedication of our system partners, reflects a remarkable collective effort that is transforming the way beverage containers are recovered across the province," said Normand Bisson, President and CEO of the QBCRA/Consignaction. One Step Closer to a Network That Reflects Quebec's Ambition Backed by a new financial partnership, the Consignaction network is accelerating the rollout of new return sites across the province. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the network significantly reduces return times through express and bulk return options, delivering a faster and more convenient customer experience. The QBCRA remains fully committed to expanding its network, guided by a clear vision: to increase the number of returned deposit-refundable containers by making the system more accessible, simpler, and more efficient for all Quebecers. About QBCRA/Consignaction Since 2001, the Consignaction programs have promoted recycling among citizens and businesses. Consignaction is the official brand used to promote the activities of the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA) to the public and stakeholders. QBCRA is the designated management organization responsible for developing, implementing, financing, and managing the modernized deposit-refund system under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle. It brings together beverage producers committed to the recovery, reuse, recycling, and repurposing of beverage containers in Quebec. To learn more, visit For more details, consult the information sheets in the Information Documents section at the following link: SOURCE The Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA)/Consignaction View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Quebec's Deposit-Refund System Modernization: Strong Momentum Three Months In
MONTREAL, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - Three months after the launch of the second phase of the deposit-system modernization, the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA), also known as Consignaction, is proud to report very positive results. This success is driven by strong public participation, the rollout of innovative and user-friendly return sites, and the commitment of all deposit-system partners. Since March 1st, the deposit-refund system has been expanded to include all ready-to-drink plastic beverage containers ranging from 100 ml to 2 liters. Transformation of the Quebec return site network The Consignaction network has expanded rapidly, now operating 50 return sites across Quebec — including 11 Consignaction+ and 39 Consignaction sites. Since the launch of the very first Consignaction+ in April 2024, these return points have received more than 130 million deposit-refundable containers. This high volume clearly demonstrates that citizens are embracing the modernization of the deposit-return system, and that the new infrastructure is making the return process easier and more accessible. With over 140 locations already leased across the province, the Consignaction network is set to continue its rapid growth. With over 72,000 users, the Consignaction mobile app is also experiencing strong uptake. The app enables users to receive their deposits electronically and securely at both Consignaction and Consignaction+ sites. Designed for ease of use, it offers access to the express return service and provides a convenient alternative to cash, while also allowing users to track their return history. "The Consignaction team is working tirelessly to deliver a modern, efficient, and accessible deposit-refund system for all Quebecers. The public's enthusiastic response to the modernization, along with the dedication of our system partners, reflects a remarkable collective effort that is transforming the way beverage containers are recovered across the province," said Normand Bisson, President and CEO of the QBCRA/Consignaction. One Step Closer to a Network That Reflects Quebec's Ambition Backed by a new financial partnership, the Consignaction network is accelerating the rollout of new return sites across the province. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the network significantly reduces return times through express and bulk return options, delivering a faster and more convenient customer experience. The QBCRA remains fully committed to expanding its network, guided by a clear vision: to increase the number of returned deposit-refundable containers by making the system more accessible, simpler, and more efficient for all Quebecers. About QBCRA/Consignaction Since 2001, the Consignaction programs have promoted recycling among citizens and businesses. Consignaction is the official brand used to promote the activities of the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA) to the public and stakeholders. QBCRA is the designated management organization responsible for developing, implementing, financing, and managing the modernized deposit-refund system under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle. It brings together beverage producers committed to the recovery, reuse, recycling, and repurposing of beverage containers in Quebec. To learn more, visit For more details, consult the information sheets in the Information Documents section at the following link: SOURCE The Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA)/Consignaction View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fast Company
a day ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How microwave tech can help reclaim critical materials from e-waste
When the computer or phone you're using right now blinks its last blink and you drop it off for recycling, do you know what happens? At the recycling center, powerful magnets will pull out steel. Spinning drums will toss aluminum into bins. Copper wires will get neatly bundled up for resale. But as the conveyor belt keeps rolling, tiny specks of valuable, lesser-known materials such as gallium, indium, and tantalum will be left behind. Those tiny specks are critical materials. They're essential for building new technology, and they're in short supply in the U.S. They could be reused, but there's a problem: Current recycling methods make recovering critical minerals from e-waste too costly or hazardous, so many recyclers simply skip them. Sadly, most of these hard-to-recycle materials end up buried in landfills or get mixed into products like cement. But it doesn't have to be this way. New technology is starting to make a difference. As demand for these critical materials keeps growing, discarded electronics can become valuable resources. My colleagues and I at West Virginia University are developing a new technology to change how we recycle. Instead of using toxic chemicals, our approach uses electricity, making it safer, cleaner, and more affordable to recover critical materials from electronics. How much e-waste are we talking about? Americans generated about 2.7 million tons of electronic waste in 2018, according to the latest federal data. Including uncounted electronics, the U.S. recycles only about 15% of its total e-waste, suggests a survey by the United Nations. Even worse, nearly half the electronics that people in Northern America sent to recycling centers end up shipped overseas. They often land in scrapyards, where workers may use dangerous methods like burning or leaching with harsh chemicals to pull out valuable metals. These practices can harm both the environment and workers' health. That's why the Environmental Protection Agency restricts these methods in the U.S. The tiny specks matter Critical minerals are in most of the technology around you. Every phone screen has a super-thin layer of a material called indium tin oxide. LEDs glow because of a metal called gallium. Tantalum stores energy in tiny electronic parts called capacitors. All of these materials are flagged as ' high risk ' on the U.S. Department of Energy's critical materials list. That means the U.S. relies heavily on these materials for important technologies, but their supply could easily be disrupted by conflicts, trade disputes, or shortages. Right now, just a few countries, including China, control most of the mining, processing, and recovery of these materials, making the U.S. vulnerable if those countries decide to limit exports or raise prices. These materials aren't cheap, either. For example, the U.S. Geological Survey reports that gallium was priced between $220 to $500 per kilogram in 2024. That's 50 times more expensive than common metals like copper, at $9.48 per kilogram in 2024. Revolutionizing recycling with microwaves At West Virginia University's Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering, I and materials scientist Edward Sabolsky asked a simple question: Could we find a way to heat only specific parts of electronic waste to recover these valuable materials? If we could focus the heat on just the tiny specks of critical minerals, we might be able to recycle them easily and efficiently. The solution we found: microwaves. This equipment isn't very different from the microwave ovens you use to heat food at home, just bigger and more powerful. The basic science is the same: Electromagnetic waves cause electrons to oscillate, creating heat. In our approach, though, we're not heating water molecules like you do when cooking. Instead, we heat carbon, the black residue that collects around a candle flame or car tailpipe. Carbon heats up much faster in a microwave than water does. But don't try this at home; your kitchen microwave wasn't designed for such high temperatures. In our recycling method, we first shred the electronic waste, mix it with materials called fluxes that trap impurities, and then heat the mixture with microwaves. The microwaves rapidly heat the carbon that comes from the plastics and adhesives in the e-waste. This causes the carbon to react with the tiny specks of critical materials. The result: a tiny piece of pure, sponge-like metal about the size of a grain of rice. This metal can then be easily separated from leftover waste using filters. So far, in our laboratory tests, we have successfully recovered about 80% of the gallium, indium, and tantalum from e-waste, at purities between 95% and 97%. We have also demonstrated how it can be integrated with existing recycling processes. Why the Department of Defense is interested Our recycling technology got its start with help from a program funded by the Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. Many important technologies, from radar systems to nuclear reactors, depend on these special materials. While the Department of Defense uses less of them than the commercial market, they are a national security concern. We're planning to launch larger pilot projects next to test the method on smartphone circuit boards, LED lighting parts, and server cards from data centers. These tests will help us fine-tune the design for a bigger system that can recycle tons of e-waste per hour instead of just a few pounds. That could mean producing up to 50 pounds of these critical minerals per hour from every ton of e-waste processed. If the technology works as expected, we believe this approach could help meet the nation's demand for critical materials. How to make e-waste recycling common One way e-waste recycling could become more common is if Congress held electronics companies responsible for recycling their products and recovering the critical materials inside. Closing loopholes that allow companies to ship e-waste overseas, instead of processing it safely in the U.S., could also help build a reserve of recovered critical minerals. But the biggest change may come from simple economics. Once technology becomes available to recover these tiny but valuable specks of critical materials quickly and affordably, the U.S. can transform domestic recycling and take a big step toward solving its shortage of critical materials.
