We can’t live without our electronic devices. However, we can’t live with them either. We’re filling landfills with old, defunct, and broken electronic devices, and the waste won’t stop piling up anytime soon. The problem is it needs to stop.
Truthfully, it needed to stop yesterday. E-waste isn’t just junk; it contains harmful materials that can further poison the ecosystem—and we discard some toxic forms of e-waste in disturbingly high numbers. Here are the top four electronics that contribute the most to e-waste.
Target these types of e-waste right away if you seek to reduce waste in your office or elsewhere!
Table of Contents
Smartphones
Everyone has one, and we’re apt to replace them with newer and shiner models every year. However, the old phone must go somewhere when you purchase a new one. Smartphones are the fastest-growing form of e-waste out there, and when we improperly dispose of them, they can leach rare metals and dangerous chemicals into the soil and groundwater.
Reduce the danger by keeping your phone longer, at least three years or more, than you usually would. Participate in recycling and trade-in programs and donate your old smartphones to associations that provide them to soldiers and others who need them for seeking employment and other purposes.
Laptops
Laptops are so convenient. We can take them almost anywhere and use them for several functions. Unfortunately, heavy use makes them wear out more quickly, subsequently resulting in their disposal. It doesn’t help that technology continues to advance, leading consumers to ditch their old laptops for new ones.
Avoid causing general clutter and toxic leaching in landfills by choosing to regularly upgrade your laptop’s software and hard drives rather than buying a brand-new laptop each year. Donate your laptop to charity when you can no longer upgrade it and after removing any personal files and data. Inquire about community e-waste recycling programs that break down e-waste into its constituent parts and materials.
Television Sets
TV sets are getting bigger, better, and more affordable—which is encouraging people to chuck their old sets into the trash whenever they upgrade to a new one. Predictably, TV sets consist of plastic that won’t break down for centuries; contain harmful chemicals, such as mercury and lead, and their unwieldy sizes ensure they’ll take up too much space in the earth. Once more, inquire about your city or town’s proper e-waste disposal methods. Or donate the set to an institution in need of entertainment options.
Appliances
Not all e-waste comes with interactive screens and gigabytes of memory. Some e-waste involves basic household appliances, such as refrigerators, dryers, washers, dishwashers, microwaves, and more. While these machines can last a long time with proper care, their disposal can still introduce plastics, metals, chemicals, and more into the environment. Keep them in good shape and make sure you only buy appliances with high energy efficiency ratings.
Those are the top four electronics that contribute the most to e-waste. Pitch in by following the above tips for their care, use, and eventual disposal. The ecosystem will appreciate it!
