Did you know that, as of 2018, the average Australian household produces more than 70 kilograms of electronic waste (e-waste) each year? That’s a worrying statistic, considering that most electronics are made up of materials and substances that can be toxic if not disposed of properly. Chemicals like cadmium and beryllium can leach into the soil and can then evaporate into the air or get carried into water bodies. Couple this with the fact that not many people actually know how to dispose of e-waste, and you have a dire situation indeed.
Are you among those who have no idea what to do with their e-waste? Check out this quick list on different ways you can dispose of your e-waste properly and help protect the environment.
Call the Professionals
This is one of the most convenient ways to dispose of e-waste: hire a rubbish removal service. They’re well-equipped to deal with all kinds of e-waste. They know what to do with those that can’t be recycled and where to send those that can. This is crucial in reducing the amount of e-waste in general, because electronics are made of valuable materials like copper, gold, plastic, steel, and silver that can be reclaimed and reused. This also helps the environment because the more that these items are reclaimed and reused, the less resources are consumed in producing and mining these materials.
To make things easier for the rubbish removal company, try to seal items with broken glass in a bag or box and let the staff know when they can pick the items up for disposal. This will help minimise injuries. In addition, take out the batteries from your gadgets and place the batteries in separate bags or boxes as well.
Donate Your Electronics
If your old gadgets and appliances are still working, you might want to consider donating them. There are a lot of organisations, including public schools, in need of electronics. You may not even have to look that far. Look in your own neighbourhood if there are people in need of computers or phones. You might even have a relative that may benefit from old but still usable electronics. Of course, before you give away your gadgets, it’s best to delete all the data you’ve stored in it and back them up in cloud storage.
Sell Your Electronics
For those looking to make some extra money, you can also sell your electronics. Keep in mind that electronics like smartphones and laptops quickly lose their value when newer models come out, so manage your expectations when it comes to pricing. Again, remember to delete all your data and create some backups before you hand off your devices.
Upgrade Some Parts
This is applicable to electronics like desktops and laptops that you can “build.” For example, you can buy a new graphics card for your CPU or a solid state drive for your laptop. If you still love your smartphone’s performance but are running out of storage space, you can buy a new storage card. You can also upgrade to a cloud storage plan with more space. If you’re having battery issues with your phone, consider getting the battery replaced. You will still generate e-waste this way, but in a considerably lower amount compared to when you buy a completely new product.
Exchange Them for Discounts
Electronics companies are now more active participants in protecting the environment. From using 100% recycled aluminum to creating more sustainable packaging, these organisations continue to find ways to be more eco-friendly. Check if there are any electronics stores in your area that offer discounts if you trade old gadgets for new ones. If you don’t want a new gadget just yet but have some items to dispose, see if these stores have drop-off points for e-waste.
Some Things to Remember
Do note that e-waste is not limited to gadgets and small appliances. They also cover large items like televisions, washing machines, refrigerators and the like. Batteries and light bulbs also qualify as e-waste. Not everything will be accepted at drop-off points in electronics stores or by municipal initiatives. In these cases, especially if you have big and bulky items to dispose of, it’s best to contact a local rubbish removal contractor.
Make sure to also protect yourself when packing dangerous and toxic items. Put everything that’s leaking in sealed containers and wear protective gear like gloves, especially when handling breakables and chemicals.
Using electronics is now a part of the daily lives of millions all over the globe. This comes at a price of generating e-waste. Thankfully, there are now more measures in place to ensure that e-waste causes as minimal harm to the environment as possible. Be an active participant in reducing the damage and dispose of your e-waste responsibly.
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