Industrial Electronic Repair – Good For the Environment and the Bottom Line

A year or so ago the constant pressure to finally clean out my basement got the better of me. There was lots of stuff which I didn’t want to part with, I mean after all you never know when you might need it! Included in this subterranean treasure trove were some state of the art (well they were in the late ‘80s) CRT color monitors. Over time, even I became convinced of the obsolescence of these heavy glass boat anchors. They had to go. After doing a little research, I found out that I could not just stack them at the curb as with the other boxes of items so instead I paid $10 and attended an electronics recycling event at a local university. I lined up with the other cars and dropped off my precious cargo. I was curious to know what happens next and while talking to the folks manning the collection stations, I leaned that the organization would strip components for reuse then dispose of what was left in an environmentally responsible manner.

So why are electronics such a special case when it comes to disposal? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency recycling electronics…

• saves valuable resources, such as precious metals, copper, and engineered plastics
• saves considerable energy used in their manufacture
• recovers valuable materials and as a result, saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions
• reduces pollution and saves resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.

But what if you could avoid the need to recycle or dispose of electronics altogether? Companies today face similar issues as consumers with their electronic devices. Beyond just computers used in offices, manufacturing plants also make extensive use of electronic control and automation equipment. In the case of manufacturing equipment there’s often pressure to extend the lifetime of older components due to investment in existing infrastructure and training. Therefore repairing Industrial electronics rather than replacing not only helps sustainability, it can have efficiency benefits such as:

• Cost Savings: Repairs are typically half the cost or less of new replacements.
• Extended Equipment Life: Keep older equipment operating reliably longer.
• Quick Turnaround: Repairs usually take days not weeks, and remanufactured equipment inventory is available immediately.
• Manufacturing Improvement: Repair findings can be used to pinpoint and correct broader process issues

For many companies today electronic repair is a very smart option. It keeps electronics out of the industrial waste stream, helps promote manufacturing efficiency and is both a cost effective and sustainable approach.

I guess it does pay to think twice about parting with that older electronic equipment! Do you know of any company plans to repair your Industrial electronics?

Tags: automation, Schneider Electric