Technology changes rapidly these days as new gadgets are constantly being introduced and consumers trade last year’s model for this year’s must-have item.
That type of turnaround, known as planned obsolescence, has had local, state and federal governments looking for ways to safely and securely get rid of old electronics that fall by the wayside.
Enter LogTech Inc., an information technology firm based in Jackson that began its e-cycling business in 2011.
“We are a green company and we understand Jackson’s concern about the environment,” LogTech CEO John White told Greater Media Newspapers.
E-cycling is described as the reuse of electronics at the end of their life cycle. The reuse keeps the devices, or significant parts of the devices, out of landfills.
In recent years the federal government was listed as the world’s largest consumer of information technology (IT). As such, a recently updated e-waste policy has set the stage for businesses like LogTech to begin.
“We are 100 percent dedicated to a nolandfill policy,” White said. “The demand is always going to get bigger because technology is here to stay. It’s going to continue to advance.”
According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the average American household has about 24 electronic products. “When you look at a family in Jackson, how many computers do they have? How many cell phones, PlayStation units or (electronic) notebooks do they have? When you multiply that by the number of residents, you can see the type of volume we are talking about here,” White said. “And then you think about businesses in Jackson and Ocean County.”
On Feb. 14 the Jackson Township Council awarded LogTech a contract to be the township’s go-to company for the collection of municipal and residential e-waste (electronic waste).
LogTech Inc. CEO John White (above left) discusses the type of work the electronics recycler completes at its location in Jackson. Operations Manager Charles McFadden (at left in top right photo) watches as parts of recylced items are reclaimed. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Jackson began its e-cycling efforts in 2011 in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection E-Waste Take Back Law.
“The mayor is definitely on the whole campaign of going green, so we have been looking for anything and everything we can do [on that front],” Department of Public Works recycling coordinator Patricia Wood said.
The agreement with LogTech will earn Jackson a few cents per pound of electronic items that are collected.
LogTech Operations Manager Charles McFadden said, “When you ask people to recycle and then tell them you are going to charge them for doing so (as was the case in previous years), that is a disincentive. Electronics is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world and only 18 to 20 percent gets recycled.”
According to Wood, Jackson accumulated about 17,900 pounds of televisions, 2,966 pounds of computer monitors and 1,810 pounds of discarded printers in January 2012.
McFadden said that in its first week since being awarded the municipal contract, LogTech collected 7,943 pounds of unwanted electronics from several collection points in the township.
White said the company estimates it will collect between 300,000 and 400,000 pounds of waste in Jackson in 2012.
“That’s some cash back to the township that they weren’t previously getting,” he said.
Jackson also receives money from a recycling tonnage grant, and that payment could amount to $50,000 and $100,000, White said.
“The highest return we get when we do a tonnage grant is the e-waste. It pays us more than aluminum and newspaper right now, so we are on a campaign to collect,” Wood said.
Residents who want to drop off electronic devices can do so at the municipal transfer station, at the municipal building, or at the LogTech facility on Faraday Drive.
Once an item has been dropped off, it goes through a process to make certain that any sensitive data that may be on the device is destroyed.
“The residents and businesses of Jackson have used these computers for some time. They have personal information on them, so we want to make sure we are going to destroy all of that information so it does not get into the hands of someone who will abuse that information,” White said.
Jackson officials toured the LogTech facility prior to awarding the contract.
Wood said on-site security measures, including a video surveillance system to monitor the movement of materials, was important for the township.
“It’s one of those things you want to make sure of when you are dealing with computers, that it’s secure and that no one’s information is getting out,” Wood said.
Devices that can be reused and resold are taken to the on-site store. A Jackson resident who shows valid identification will get 50 percent off a purchase. If a device cannot be resold, it is taken apart for its metal, plastic and circuitry and recycled at another facility.
White said the company is looking to acquire another warehouse in order to expand its operations.
LogTech has partnered with Intelligent Project, a Jackson-based disposal service, to help pick up unwanted electronics from the local drop-off points.
“We promote within, so we are trying to do this within the township. As we grow, we will hire Jackson residents. We want to keep the money in Jackson,” White said.