Appliance recycling

Recycling appliances for their original or other purposes, involves disassembly, removal of hazardous components and destruction of the equipment to recover materials, generally by shredding, sorting and grading.

The main types of appliances that are recycled are televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and computers.

When appliances are recycled, they can be looked upon as a valuable resources; if disposed of improperly, they can be environmentally harmful and poison ecosystems.

Low removal rates of hazardous components reduce the recyclability of valuable materials.

Research on appliance dismantling has become an active area, intending to help recycling reach maximum efficiency.

Materials report to larger or finer fractions based on original dimension, toughness, or brittleness.

The first countries to establish home appliance recycling included Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany.

[4] The Association for Electric Home Appliances is a trade group that is responsible for orphaned products.

China's undeveloped dismantling and processing has led to elevated levels of toxic chemicals in and near waste appliance sites.

It established a new program for consumers to return, recycle, and ensure the safe and environmentally sound disposal of video display devices, such as televisions and computer monitors, that are hazardous wastes when discarded.

As in Australia there are companies including the manufacturer Fisher and Paykel that remove waste appliances and recycle them.

Countries in which EPR has long been established, demonstrate that the combination of government legislation and sound company practices can produce a higher take-back and recycling rate.

[2] Other ways countries approach the issue of waste appliances is either by offering recycling facilities or banning importation.

New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina : mounds of trashed appliances with a few smashed automobiles mixed in, waiting to be scrapped