Cobalt (Element)
What Is Cobalt (Element)?
Cobalt is a hard, brittle, ductile, blue-white metal. Cobalt has a range of uses – you’ll find it in batteries, jet engines, laptops, and cell phones. This metal is essential to the power and function of modern electronics.
Cobalt is about as common as zinc. It is still relatively rare compared to many other metals including gold. Cobalt is not poisonous and does not easily react with other elements. However, if you ingest too much, it can cause health problems.
Repeated exposure to cobalt can cause respiratory issues and other complaints. As such, you’ll want to be careful when disposing of your electronics containing cobalt.
You can recycle your old electronics to reduce the need for more cobalt mining. Keep reading to learn more about cobalt and your e-waste recycling options.
Which Products Contain Cobalt?
Rechargeable batteries for cell phones or laptops all contain cobalt. Electric car brake manufacturers also use cobalt for brake safety and strength. Some manufacturers use cobalt in steel alloys. They can then form very hard blades and grinding wheels from the alloy that can hold an edge even at high speeds.
Can You Recycle Electronics Containing Cobalt?
You can recycle your e-waste instead of throwing it out. E-waste, or electronic waste, is another word for discarded electronics. This includes old cell phones, laptops, tablets, televisions, and other electronics. E-waste is a growing problem.
Electronic device production is increasing. However, the lifespan of these devices is often short. E-waste contains valuable materials that you can recycle.
Unfortunately, most e-waste is not recycled and instead thrown away. Globally, people produce over 50 million tons of e-waste every year.
Discarded electronics end up in landfills. The metals and elements inside electronics can then cause environmental and health problems. E-waste recycling is the process of recovering usable materials from electronic waste.
This includes recycling the plastic and glass from the device. It also includes recovering valuable materials, such as cobalt, silver, and copper. Recycling can lead to the conservation and the re-use of this metal.
How Does the Cobalt Recycling Process Work?
Instead of throwing away electronics, work with a local e-waste recycling company.
They’ll know how to dismantle and recycle materials. They’ll do so without exposing you or the environment to toxins. Leave computer recycling to a professional, instead of taking apart pieces yourself.
When you recycle parts, it reduces the need to extract more metals and rare materials from the earth. And it ensures that no metals sit in waste dumps, leeching poisons into the ground.
Safely Dispose of Cobalt to Benefit You and Your Environment
The best way to dispose of cobalt will vary depending on where you live. If you’re not sure how to recycle or dispose of your e-waste, call your local experts for assistance.
Don’t worry about regulations and protocol. Instead, save time by working with Newtech Recycling. We’ll help you safely dispose of your old electronics, cell phones, laptops, and more.