The electronic devices are increasingly becoming cheaper these days. The rising growth in the electronics industry has resulted in the massive issue of end-of-life (EOL) electronics or electronic waste. With the growing quantity of electronic waste, the need for electronic recycling programs has also grown. Let’s get an insight into e-waste and the significance of electronic recycling:
E-waste
The end-of-life electronic devices known as e-scrap or e-waste include items like televisions, stereos, mobile phones and computer equipment. These things can often be recycled or refurbished but a good amount ends up in landfills. It has been estimated that only 20 percent of the global electronic waste is recycled and the rest 80 percent ends up in landfills.
Ways in which consumers can recycle their old electronics
People get access to opportunities of recycling depending on the location where they reside. The best option to deal with electronic waste is to donate your old electronic equipment that can be recycled or reused as is. Make sure that your personal information is wiped from the electronic devices before you donate them. Other opportunities of local electronic recycling include authorized electronics recycler locations, retailer take back programs or electronics recycling events.
Can you throw e-waste in trash?
Your location and equipment decides whether you can throw your electronic waste in trash. Consider your specific state legislation but it’s advisable to recycle. Know that certain cities or communities have policies in place that ban electronic waste even when there is no such ban at the state level. Make sure to use the services of recyclers who are certified via either of the voluntary certification programs that have been established to guarantee responsible recycling.
Importance of electronic recycling
Rich raw materials source: Electronic waste is a rich source of raw materials internationally and only ten to fifteen percent of the gold in electronic waste is recovered successfully while the rest is lost. E-waste contains deposits of precious metals that are estimated to be between forty and fifty times richer than ores that are mined from the earth’s surface.
Toxic materials: Since old electronic devices comprise toxic substances like mercury, lead, chromium and cadmium, adequate processing is pivotal to make sure that these materials do not get released into the environment. They might also contain other toxic chemical flame retardants and heavy chemicals.
International movement of harmful waste: The uncontrolled movement of electronic waste to countries where inexpensive labor and primal approaches to recycling have lead to health risks to residents that are exposed to the release of toxins.
