The entertainment industry is a crucial part of our modern culture. While attending a concert or watching a movie is exciting, we often overlook the environmental impact of these activities.
Electronic waste is a growing concern with the increasing prevalence of electronic technology, especially since new products are released every year, rendering previous versions obsolete. Electronic waste can pose a serious environmental risk as it often contains hazardous chemicals and heavy metals that can leach into the air or water.
The entertainment industry faces unique challenges regarding electronic waste recycling, and companies and consumers need to work together to address this issue.
In the entertainment industry, electronic waste typically consists of televisions, computers, mobile phones, music equipment, and other electronic devices. These items are frequently replaced and quickly become obsolete, making electronic waste recycling a critical need. Recycling electronic waste can help reduce the environmental impact of these devices, conserve scarce resources, and keep potentially harmful chemicals out of landfills.
It is essential to understand that different types of electronic devices present distinct recycling challenges. This is especially true in the entertainment industry, where large-scale events and productions often generate significant amounts of electronic waste. To complicate matters further, electronic waste frequently contains precious metals and other expensive materials that must be properly sorted and handled for a recycling program to be effective.
The best way to address this problem is for entertainment industry companies to prioritize and support electronic waste recycling. There are various programs and organizations specializing in electronic waste recycling within the entertainment industry, and it is important to collaborate with these groups to find a solution that works for a specific company or production. Many companies have also started taking eco-friendly measures regarding electronic waste, such as switching to energy-efficient lighting solutions and ensuring that all used electronics are properly recycled.
Recycling electronic waste in the entertainment sector can have a significant environmental impact. By recycling electronic devices instead of sending them to landfills, companies can reduce the amount of chemicals and heavy metals released into the environment. This is particularly important in the entertainment industry, where large quantities of electronic devices are often used during production.
Additionally, recycling electronic waste in the entertainment industry can help conserve valuable resources and reduce the energy and pollution levels required to produce new electronic devices. Many electronic products are made with rare and precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum. By recycling these materials, entertainment industry companies can help reduce the demand for new extraction and production of these valuable materials.
Entertainment industry companies can take several steps to encourage and support electronic waste recycling. Firstly, companies should establish a clear policy for recycling electronic devices, including a plan for sorting and distributing them and a safe method for disposing of old electronics. This policy should be communicated to employees, actors, and crew members, and steps should be taken to ensure that everyone is aware of it.
Additionally, entertainment companies can strive to use eco-friendly electronic devices, such as LED and energy-efficient lights, and electronics that use fewer harmful chemicals. Finally, companies can support electronic waste recycling programs tailored specifically to the entertainment industry. Many of these programs can offer a range of services, such as the collection and recycling of electronic waste, as well as the safe disposal of electronic devices.
Electronic waste recycling is an important issue for the entertainment industry as a means to reduce its environmental impact. It is also a great tool for entertainment industry companies to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and support electronic waste recycling initiatives. By working together and taking practical steps to recycle and use eco-friendly electronic devices, entertainment industry companies, and consumers can significantly impact the environmental future.
Fill out the form below to request your electronics recycling pickup.
We’ll coordinate the schedule logistics and follow up with next steps.
You may not notice it, but your company could be hoarding electronic waste (e-waste). Old computers in storage, routers nobody uses anymore, hard drives forgotten in a drawer. All those things you keep around “just in case” rarely come back to life. In the meantime, they take up space, create risks, and slow down your sustainability goals.
Holding on to outdated technology might seem harmless, but it isn’t. Obsolete devices with sensitive information can become an open door to cyberattacks or fines for failing to comply with regulations like HIPAA or GDPR.
And it’s not just about physical space. Digital hoarding is just as costly: duplicated files, disorganized emails, and unused data stored forever. All of this costs money in infrastructure and energy, while also putting your company’s data security at risk.
A clear plan to identify, de-inventory, and properly dispose of outdated assets prevents buildup and helps you stay in control.
There are no shortcuts here — if you want to handle e-waste responsibly, you need a trusted partner. At eSmart Recycling, we are certified, we securely destroy data following the highest standards, and we operate under a triple-impact model: environmental, social, and economic.
What does this mean in practice? While we help you comply with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR, we also give a second life to part of your equipment by donating it to kids and families in need. You solve a problem and, at the same time, create a real positive impact.
Don’t let e-waste pile up. Set quarterly or semi-annual collection days to keep your space organized and minimize risks.
Before recycling, make sure all data is wiped or destroyed under accredited standards. That way, you protect sensitive information and avoid compliance issues.
Processes only work if people understand them. Educate employees on how to recycle and manage digital clutter. Building a culture of sharing — not hoarding — information makes a big difference.
By adopting these practices, you:
At eSmart Recycling, this is our everyday work: we collect outdated devices, securely destroy the data, refurbish what we can, and donate technology to communities that need it most. Your company can join this model and turn a liability into an opportunity for real impact.
At eSmart Recycling, we always say that giving out computers is only part of what we do. What really drives us is the way people connect through technology.
Tony Selvaggio, our founder, expressed it in a way that inspires us every day: it’s not enough to provide access — what matters is how the community uses that technology to grow together and stay connected. That phrase is the compass guiding every project.
The digital divide is not a thing of the past.
These numbers make something very clear: donating equipment helps, but it doesn’t solve everything. The real challenge is to provide guidance, teaching, and spaces where technology can truly be used.
From our experience, several elements change the game:
On September 12, we were in St. Petersburg at the PSTA eRevolution Drive. It was a day that said it all.
People showed up with laptops, phones, and even game consoles. But the most valuable part wasn’t the devices — it was the energy of the gathering. Every conversation, every smile when handing over a device, showed that this is about much more than recycling: it’s about sharing a common purpose.
That day made it clear that the digital divide doesn’t close with wires and screens alone, but with the strength of a community moving together.
What we do has several layers:
It’s more than just access to technology, is bringing the community together to maximize the power of technology and become a digitally connected and empowered community” – Tony Selvaggio
What inspires us is simple: when technology comes together with community, the possibilities multiply. A refurbished device can be the key to an online class, a new job, or a family connection.
That’s what we strive for: every delivery to be paired with relationships, learning, and shared experiences. Every event has a chance to bring people together around something bigger.
World Sustainability Day 2025 is the perfect chance for companies and sustainability leaders in the U.S. to put real actions into motion and inspire their teams to embrace a greener culture (Awareness Days).
This day can serve as a milestone to promote responsible practices, reduce your environmental footprint, and align your team with global sustainability goals. It’s not just about symbolic gestures — it’s about inspiring real change in the way we work, purchase, and collaborate.
Launch a challenge such as “reduce daily break room waste” or “cut down on single-use plastics.” Encourage healthy competition while building a culture of shared responsibility. Track progress weekly and celebrate achievements.
Invite local organizations focused on recycling, responsible consumption, or clean energy to share their initiatives. It’s a way to connect your team with real resources and show that sustainable actions are within reach.
Use the day to reinforce or introduce new initiatives such as recycling, eco-friendly supplies, or energy-saving habits. Encouraging these practices not only protects the planet but can also improve employee satisfaction and reduce costs.
If your business model allows it, use the day to review or promote hybrid and remote work options. Reducing commuting has proven to be an effective sustainability lever across industries.
Review your supply chain and — if possible — switch to vendors with strong green commitments. Sustainable purchasing doesn’t just look good; it pushes the entire value chain toward cleaner practices.
In the hospitality industry, Marriott The Luxury Collection hosted a retreat with chefs from around the world focused on sustainable cooking practices: local sourcing, supply chain analysis tools, and foraging programs. The results were long-lasting — teams were engaged, products improved, and awareness grew beyond the event itself.
World Sustainability Day shouldn’t just be a date on the calendar. It can be the starting point for new practices, more conscious decisions, and a workplace culture that inspires both inside and outside the office. If every company takes a small step, the collective impact can be massive.
We believe days like these are reminders that change starts with daily choices — in how we work, and how we bring our teams along.
For three years, a CPU tower just sat there: taking up space in the office, never turned on, never needed. Like a dusty piece of furniture, forgotten. Nobody filed the paperwork to decommission it, nobody recycled it, nobody donated it. And when someone finally moved it, they realized it had been in the way all that time… for no reason.
This may sound anecdotal, but it reflects a huge problem that many U.S. companies face: ghost hardware. Devices that no longer serve a purpose but also aren’t properly managed, turning into symbols of inefficiency and environmental risk.
In most companies, decommissioning old tech is not a priority. There’s often no clear owner, processes are slow, and, in many cases, people simply let time pass. As a result, servers, desktop towers, old laptops, or even printers end up sitting in closets or storage rooms.
The EPA estimates that the U.S. generates more than 6.9 million tons of electronic waste each year, but less than 20% is properly recycled. And a large part of that e-waste comes from offices that just don’t know what to do with obsolete technology.
A forgotten computer doesn’t just take up physical space. It also:
That forgotten CPU tower is a metaphor for what can be changed. Today, companies have multiple options to prevent hardware from turning into clutter:
A CPU sitting around for 3 years isn’t just an anecdote. It’s a reminder that IT asset management must be part of every sustainability strategy. It’s not just about freeing up space: it’s about saving resources, protecting data, and demonstrating environmental commitment to clients, employees, and partners.
Ghost hardware will always exist in offices… unless someone takes action. And that action, beyond solving clutter, can become a competitive advantage for your company.
Recycling medical devices is no longer something hospitals and clinics in the U.S. can afford to overlook. These are not just old machines collecting dust—once they reach the end of their life, they can either become an environmental and compliance headache… or an opportunity to drive sustainability forward.
Simply put, recycling medical equipment involves collecting outdated devices, erasing any patient information they may hold, dismantling them, and separating their materials. Metals, plastics, and even batteries can be put back into the supply chain. The key is doing it within regulations: the EPA oversees medical and pharmaceutical waste management, while HIPAA requires strict protection of patient data.
It all starts with classification: monitors, infusion pumps, plastic components, batteries—each category follows a different stream. Next is data elimination, which is crucial for compliance. It’s not just about unplugging the device—secure data wiping software or physical destruction of memory storage is required.
Once the data is cleared, the devices are dismantled. Recyclable materials are separated and sent to specialized processors, while hazardous parts are handled with extra care. The best practice is to partner with certified recyclers, such as R2 or e-Stewards, which guarantee safe and environmentally responsible processes (SAMR Inc.).
Finally, hospitals receive a certificate of recycling, an important document proving that waste was handled properly—often essential for sustainability reporting.
In some cases, recycling isn’t the only option. There’s also reprocessing of single-use devices. This means cleaning, sterilizing, and reusing them under FDA-approved safety standards. Far from being niche, this practice can save hospitals millions of dollars while preventing tons of medical waste from ending up in landfills (Wikipedia: Single-use medical device reprocessing).
In 2025, “going green” is no longer a slogan. Recycling and reprocessing medical devices is now a strategy for saving money, staying compliant, and leading in sustainability. And those who start today will be a step ahead tomorrow.
If your old servers, routers, and forgotten devices could talk, they would probably say: “I can still be useful—just give me a proper ending.” The truth is that what’s collecting dust in your storage room isn’t just old hardware: it represents an opportunity to boost sustainability, reduce costs, and optimize resources. Let’s look at what these silent devices are really telling us and why it matters for U.S. businesses in 2025.
In the United States, about 2.7 million tons of consumer electronics (such as TVs, computers, and phones) were generated in 2018. While that’s less than 1% of total municipal solid waste, it shows the clear impact of technology piling up.
Globally, the number is even more alarming: in 2022, around 59.4 million tons of e-waste were produced, and only less than 20% was formally recycled.
What’s worse, in 2022 alone, 12 million tons of valuable metals were lost because they were not properly recovered.
A narrative perspective helps:
At the end of the day, those forgotten devices in your storage room are not just waste—they’re a pending decision. They can sit there, taking up space and losing value… or they can become raw materials, new opportunities for your business, and a tangible contribution to sustainability. The difference lies in the action you take today.
If you want to know more about the different programs, partners, and overall cool things happening in the eSmart world, share your email with us, and Join the E-Revolution.
