Environmental Benefits: The Responsibility of Recycling E-Waste
These days, the latest and greatest tech becomes obsolete the moment it hits the market.
While the break-neck speed of technology has plenty of benefits, it comes bearing a pretty dangerous downside. And that issue is the fate of all the broken and out-of-date gadgets it leaves in its wake.
Fortunately, there is a simple and elegant solution to the mountain of antiquated tech that is cast aside in the name of progress: recycling.
Here is everything you need to know about the benefits of recycling e-waste and how you can get started tackling this problem yourself.
What Is E-Waste?
E-waste, or electronic waste, is just what it sounds like: the collection of all broken or retired phones, computers, and other gadgets we throw away.
As our collective dependents on tech increases, so does the amount of gadgets we throw away. Because of this, e-waste is currently the fastest growing fraction of solid waste in the world.
While nearly all e-waste is recyclable, less than a quarter ends up recycled globally. This leads to an environmental and humanitarian crisis in many parts of the world.
The Dangers of E-Waste
The simple gadgets we rely on during our day-to-day lives contain a toxic mix of chemicals and metals that can leach into every part of the environment.
When dumped in regular landfills, these toxins can leak into the ground surrounding them and even into water tables. These leaks poison everything from the local drinking water sources to livestock and other animals.
On top of that, if these materials catch fire or get too hot, they can release toxins and chemicals into the air.
It’s no secret how harmful e-waste is, and because of this, many countries elect to dump their waste elsewhere.
The brunt of the dangers of e-waste often falls on those who cannot afford to move elsewhere or get treatment for exposure.
The Benefits of Recycling
The most significant benefit of recycling e-waste is the lessening of environmental impact. When we recycle our electronic waste, we prevent toxic materials, such as lead and mercury, from contaminating the area around them.
However, there are many more benefits to recycling than environmental impact alone.
The tech we rely on to navigate our lives contains precious and rare materials. When we recycle our old tech, we can reclaim these materials for further use, including creating the next must-have gadget.
Mining these precious metals can drive up the cost of technology and negatively affect the environment.
On top of that, there is also a security issue that comes with just throwing your old tech away.
If you don’t thoroughly wipe your old smartphone or computer, there’s a chance someone could pull sensitive information off of it. When you recycle your retired tech, you can make sure that your data will stay secure.
How to Start Recycling E-Waste
Electronic waste is undeniably dangerous. Therefore, we all need to do out part to make sure we take care of it safely and efficiently.
Recycling your e-waste not only helps take some pressure off the environment, but it can also help protect your most sensitive data.
Ready to start recycling e-waste? We can help!
Contact us today to learn more about what Lampmaster can do for you.