Introduction
E-waste is a severe problem that much of the world’s population faces. Electronic waste is an umbrella term for all products containing electronics that have no use because they are broken or obsolete. The United States is one of the top producers of e-waste, and various solutions have been suggested for disposing of this hazardous material.
The used electronics industry often threatens both the environment and the consumer. With more and more companies creating new technology, older devices with technical defects or systems no longer compatible with newer operating systems are left unsold. This creates a large abundance of old electronics that represent a threat to the environment through e-waste.
We can all do our part to help reduce e-waste. Saving the environment is a big step in the right direction of making this world a better place to live. Below are seven ways to help reduce e-waste and help make the world a better place.
What Is E-Waste?
In the electronics industry, waste can mean a lot of things. Often, the word is used to describe an item that has been discarded or that has been replaced with a newer version. In other cases, it may be connected to an outdated model that still has value and would be fine if updated in some form. Regardless of the case, one thing is sure: every single electronic device ends up in the waste category at one point or another.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has estimated that 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste were generated in 2018. This is a result of the continuously growing use of computers and smartphones, along with a consumer-based economy that emphasizes immediate satisfaction. The UNEP report also shows that most of these materials end up in landfills without treatment.
There are a few things that you can do to reduce the world’s e-waste problem:
7 Best Tips to Reduce Your E-Waste
Follow this simple guide to reduce your e-waste.
Do you need to Purchase a New Device?
Before buying a new gadget, you must determine if the old device you currently own is due for replacement. However, it is advisable if that old gadget still serves its purposes, then it’s best to let it live its years before purchasing another device.
Doing this will ensure there aren’t too many e-wastes in the environment.
Exchange Old Devices for Credit at Amazon.com
Amazon’s trade-in program is the most popular on the net. It allows consumers to trade in for cash in exchange for their old electronics, including their phones and video games. Since the first electronic was traded in, millions have turned to Amazon to sell or find an electronic product, making it a leading platform for consumers.
Amazon is a giant in the e-commerce space, which means it needs to be an industry leader when protecting the environment. Amazon has offered customers the ability to recycle their electronics and household goods for years.
Fix Broken Gadgets
Extend the life of your electronics by repairing them. While it can be tempting to replace a broken electronic, doing so increases your e-waste. Buying a new product is better than recycling old electronics with intact valuable parts. The best way to reduce electronic waste is to repair your broken device.
The repairs could range from replacing a broken screen to a laptop repair to give your device a new look. Fixing broken electronics means more than just repairing them, as it increases the lifespan of the electronic device itself.
Sell Electronics You No Longer Need
The digital nature of electronics makes them very easy to sell online. However, people are still buying used electronics for various reasons, particularly when building out a home entertainment system or because they aren’t quite ready to commit to the latest device. The best way to sell an old phone may be on an online marketplace, but there’s a good chance that more traditional methods may also generate some interest, especially among family and friends.
People buy second-hand electronics for numerous reasons: they don’t have the money to purchase newer ones, they need a product quickly, or they don’t have enough space to store them. Individuals and businesses can find buyers for their unwanted devices by putting them up for sale on online marketplaces like eBay.
Donate Old Devices to Local Charities
One of the best ways to reduce electronic waste is to donate used electronic devices. Locally or nationally, these devices can be refurbished to become useful once again. By contributing your old electronics, you give them to someone who may not otherwise have access to technology and its many benefits. Reducing electronic waste also helps protect the environment by reducing the number of toxic materials in landfills every year.
Recycle Damaged Electronics
A simple, safe, and easy way to reduce e-waste is to recycle damaged electronics. If your electronic devices are still functional but have broken screens or other damage that won’t affect the performance of your device, you could take advantage of services like uSell to get cash for broken appliances. This is a great way to recycle usable electronics and earn extra side money.
Recycling your e-waste is the most sustainable way to get rid of it. Experts have found that e-waste can cause several environmental problems, and recycling is a great way to lessen those issues. Those who don’t recycle e-waste often suffer from adverse health effects, such as respiratory infections, allergies, and asthma.
Teach Your Kids
As a parent, you should teach your kids how to recycle correctly and use gadgets responsibly. By doing this, your kids can effectively manage their devices properly, thereby prolonging their lifespan.
Why Should We Care About E-Waste
The most important reason to care about e-waste is that e-waste is a growing concern among companies in the US and abroad. This is because of the toxic materials found in e-waste that, if not disposed of properly, can be dangerous to the air, soil, water, and even human health.
In the United States alone, over 5 million tons of e-waste are produced annually. This waste is dumped into landfills, contaminating the soil and the water supply. If left untreated, heavy metals from these electronics can travel through the earth and migrate into groundwater systems and ponds, streams, rivers, and lakes. In some rural communities near these landfills, there are reports of reduced amounts of clean water during certain seasons.
Aside from the environmental and health issues surrounding the constant production of e-waste, companies should also consider the economic impact of such actions. The recent news about a global chip shortage that made specific devices unavailable for purchase and doubled the cost of some is one example of what could happen if companies continue to produce excessive amounts of e-waste.
Conclusion
Every chip manufactured today will one day become a piece of e-waste, so efficiently managing old electronic devices can save consumers and businesses millions of dollars in the future. While recycling used electronics will not immediately solve the problem of future chip shortages, it could significantly reduce the overall demand for chips and the associated price increases that manufacturers have seen in the past.