An electronic item is considered end-of-life (EOL) once it becomes non-functional and beyond economic repair, or once the technology becomes so outdated that the item is no longer eligible for resell. When EOL electronics are received at SER, they are demanufactured in one of two ways.
Manual Disassembly - Items that contain hazardous components (glass, mercury bulbs, batteries) are disassembled by hand and the components are separated according to their scrap metal or plastic type.
Mechanical Disassembly - Items that are determined safe for shredding are processed using our in-house shredding and mechanical separation system. Using a series of shredders, magnets, eddy currents, color sorters and density sorters; an electronic item is sized to 1-2 inch pieces, and its scrap components are separated by base material (ie steel, plastic, aluminum, circuit board, etc).
No matter the method, you can rest assured that any EOL or destruction-only electronic item sent to Synergy Electronics Recycling will be demanufactured at our state-of-the-industry electronics recycling facility in Madison, NC. SER has invested heavily in shredding and mechanical separation equipment to make this possible. Low-grade material, which is very labor intensive to demanufacture by hand, is processed quickly and easily at our facility with virtually no human interaction. Our system creates some of the cleanest products in the industry. This makes us the processor of choice for several other electronics recyclers.
Destruction-Only Material
Synergy Electronics Recycling offers a certified and reliable option for destruction-only items. Whether it be proprietary equipment or recalled material, SER will ensure it is fully destroyed and responsibly recycled in our Madison, NC processing facility. We offer our clients a witnessed destruction service in which they visually observe the processing of their material by either being on-site or securely logging in to our remote camera server.
Why is this important?
Hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium exist within most electronic devices. If end-of-life electronics are placed in a landfill, over time those hazardous materials can leach into the soil and groundwater. Even worse is when these EOL electronics are shipped to countries that don't have the regulations in place to protect workers and the environment. If improperly handled, the processing of EOL electronics can create a hazard to those individuals doing the processing as well as the land, air and water in the surrounding environment.
When end-of-life electronics are recycled responsibly, hazardous materials are removed or contained. At Synergy Electronics Recycling, all hazardous materials are managed in full compliance with regulatory requirements.
What is accepted for processing?
SER can process nearly anything that has ever taken electricity in its lifetime. If it has a cord or battery, it is generally accepted. Here is a list of commonly processed material.
Computers (desktop and laptop)
Computer Peripherals (keyboards, mice, etc)
Monitors (flat panel and CRT)
Televisions (flat panel and CRT)
Cable/DVR Boxes
Modems, Routers, Switches
Audio/Visual Equipment
Small Kitchen Appliances (blenders, toasters, coffee makers, etc)
Cell Phones
Telephones, Radios, CB Radios
Miscellaneous Electronic Equipment
Cords and Cables
What is not accepted for processing?
This list is not all inclusive. If an item is in question, please contact your SER representative.
Compressed gases, including propane tanks
Hazardous waste
Explosive materials
Flammable or ignitable materials
Reactive or toxic chemicals
Wood, Rubber, Tar, Insulation, Garbage, Rags
Materials that contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)