In the past half-century, we have witnessed an incredible revolution in technology in almost every facet of life, and the vast majority of these advancements have served to improve general quality of life for the users. Unfortunately though, alongside those technological advancements, we have seen the problem of e-waste, or electronic waste, explode as well. Of course this makes sense, as humans have always created waste, and with the quick replacement of old technology with new, the old technology has to go somewhere. But what kind of environmental effects might this e-waste have? And is there a way to mitigate any harmful consequences that may come from this new type of waste? This blog aims to answer these questions, as well as provide you for a simple and practical electronic recycling guide for your household or business.
What exactly is Electronic Waste?
E-waste is the waste produced by disposing of old or obsolete technology, such as phones, laptops, TVs, printers, or any other electronic device. Because of factors like rising electronic consumption, planned obsolescence, and short product life-cycles, people are driven to purchase (and throw away) electronics more than ever before.
In 2022 alone, over 136 billion pounds of electronic waste, with less than a quarter of that being properly recycled. That number has grown 82% since just 2010 (United Nations). Not only does this pose an enormous environmental threat, but it also creates a serious economic problem by essentially throwing away billions of dollars of potentially re-usable material.
The Environmental and Health Impacts of E-Waste
The electronics we use every day contain inside of them expensive and potentially harmful chemicals (like lead, mercury, and cadmium) that are necessary for them to function. When technology is improperly disposed of, these chemicals can leach into the environment and have devastating effects on the soil and water they come into contact with. Exposure to these toxins can have deadly health consequences, particularly in developing countries where the majority of e-waste ends up.
A Straightforward Electronic Recycling Guide
It may seem simple, but the same lessons you learned in elementary school on this subject still apply here: reduce, re-use, and recycle.
Reduce: The first step you should take is to make an effort to reduce the amount of new technology you buy. We suggest buying high-quality, long-lasting electronics rather than the cheaper version. When buying, choose a model or a product that you will be able to repair (or have repaired) rather than needing to replace it completely when a problem arises.
Re-use: Consider purchasing second-hand or recycled electronics rather than new. These may also come with the added benefit of being cheaper, and many can still be purchased from a reputable dealer who you may also offer a warranty if some technical issue should arise with your electronic. When you’re done with a device, donate or sell it if it’s still functional. Even non-functional devices may be able to be resold for parts or to people interested in fixing the device themselves.
Recycle: Once you’ve gone through and determined that a device can’t be re-used in any way, take the time to learn how to properly recycle it. You can look for certified e-waste recycling programs in your area to ensure proper disposal.
How Businesses Can Handle E-Waste Responsibly
Companies have an opportunity to make a larger impact on reducing e-waste than individual homes, because of they often go through much more technology than the average single-family home. One way to reduce your business’s e-waste would be to create a company-wide electronic recycling guide that includes reducing, re-using, and recycling as its core tenants. To make this easier for your employees to implement, you may consider partnering with certified recycling firms who can help you with your business’s specific needs. Giving your employees these resources will streamline the recycling process every time there is an electronic that becomes obsolete, making it much less likely that an electronic will end up being wrongfully thrown away.
Where to Recycle Your Electronic Waste
For individuals looking for electronic recycling, look for reliable and certified e-waste recycling programs in your area. Many manufacturers and retailers, like Apple, Dell, or Best Buy, also have take-back programs that you may be able to utilize. Do device-specific research before choosing to throw away a piece of technology that is no longer serving your needs.
Without a major shift in how we approach electronic recycling, the world is on track to increase its e-waste by another 32% by 2030. This is a major environmental and economic hazard that you can help the world avoid. Every electronic that avoids a landfill by being properly recycled lessens the amount of dangerous chemicals leaching into our soil and water.