Sims Recycling Solutions
Encyclopedia
Sims Recycling Solutions is the world’s largest electrical and electronics recovery and recycling
company based in the UK, with operations in 50 locations on five continents. They process 475,000 tonnes of electronic waste
(e-waste) each year. They are part of the global recycler, Sims Metal Management Limited (formerly Sims Group
), Sims Recycling Solutions
Sims Recycling Solutions offers repair, refurbishment and recycling services for electronic and electrical goods, such as computers, laptops, televisions, monitors and mobile devices. From the recycling process Sims recovers materials such as precious metals, metals, plastic
and glass
.
There are also other environmental benefits, for example, using recycled steel to make new steel enables reductions such as:
86% in air pollution
,
40% in water
use,
76% in water pollution
.
The European WEEE Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
, introduced in 2005, is one of the key pieces of legislation that is not only driving up recycling
rates in Europe, but influencing many other nations to introduce similar legislation.
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
company based in the UK, with operations in 50 locations on five continents. They process 475,000 tonnes of electronic waste
Electronic waste
Electronic waste, e-waste, e-scrap, or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. There is a lack of consensus as to whether the term should apply to resale, reuse, and refurbishing industries, or only to product that cannot be used for its...
(e-waste) each year. They are part of the global recycler, Sims Metal Management Limited (formerly Sims Group
Sims Group
Sims Metal Management is a global Australian-based company that specializes in metal recycling, formerly known as Sims Group.Sims Metal Management is the world’s, as well as North America’s and Australasia’s, largest metals and electronics recycler...
), Sims Recycling Solutions
Sims Recycling Solutions offers repair, refurbishment and recycling services for electronic and electrical goods, such as computers, laptops, televisions, monitors and mobile devices. From the recycling process Sims recovers materials such as precious metals, metals, plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
and glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
.
History
The business was established in 1917 by Albert Sims, an Australian-based recycled metals dealer. In 2002, Sims Recycling Solutions was started in the UK to address the growing issue of e-waste. Following natural growth and a number of mergers and acquisitions, the business now operates from over 40 sites on four continents.Why recycle electronics waste?
Electronics Recycling helps to preserve the Earth's scare resources and using recycled materials such as metals requires less energy and water than using virgin materials. In developed nations, governments are increasingly legislating to encourage materials recycling and prevent hazardous materials such as battery acid, lead and cadmium leech into soils. For instance, according to the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), EU figures indicate that using recycled raw materials, including metals, cuts CO2 emissions by some 200 million tonnes of CO2 emission reduction every year.There are also other environmental benefits, for example, using recycled steel to make new steel enables reductions such as:
86% in air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
,
40% in water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
use,
76% in water pollution
Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
.
The European WEEE Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive is the European Community directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment which, together with the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC, became European Law in February 2003, setting collection, recycling and recovery targets for all...
, introduced in 2005, is one of the key pieces of legislation that is not only driving up recycling
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
rates in Europe, but influencing many other nations to introduce similar legislation.