Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is a term used to describe discarded electronics or electrical devices. There’s a wide variety of e-waste, however, some of the most common components include mobile phones, computers, peripheral devices, TVs, DVD/video/music players, lighting devices, batteries, electronic toys, cameras, flashlights, laboratory equipment, and much more. We all inevitably end up with broken devices. Plus, technology is always bringing up new products and gadgets, increasing the need to replace or upgrade to newer models. This leaves a lot of unused old models.
The Importance of Proper Electronic Waste Removal
First and foremost, proper electronic waste removal is important simply because it reduces the amount of waste in the landfills.
Secondly, these items contain hazardous material such as copper, lead, mercury, beryllium, plastic, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. If not disposed of properly, these hazardous components can contaminate the soil, seep into water bodies, and pollute the air. This affects the environment, and can lead to a series of health hazards such as damage to the brain, kidney, reproductive system, heart, nervous system, and the skeletal system. Other electronics release cancer-producing dioxins into the air when they are burned.
Other than environmental and health risks, e-waste also poses a potential security threat. How many times have you erased your hard drives before disposing of your devices? Well, cyber criminals are capable of reopening hard drives that are not erased, exposing sensitive information such as records of online transactions.
How to Properly Dispose of E-waste
There are several ways to get rid of your devices; it all depends on the condition they’re in. Some eco-friendly e-waste removal techniques that ensure environmental sustainability include:
Reduce
The first step to waste management is reducing the amount of waste. You can minimize e-waste through smart procurement and proper maintenance of the devices. This extends the life of devices, reducing the need for disposal. Sometimes, all it takes to reduce waste is repair devices where feasible and continue using them.
Reuse
The concept of reusing can be achieved in two ways:
Sell:
- Sell: Rather than dumping your outdated technology in the basement, why not get rid of them and earn some money as well. You can always use online sites like Craigslist and eBay to find clients, or simply have a garage sale. Also, most electronics shops are always willing to buy old devices.
Donate:
- Donate: You can also donate items in working conditions. This grants access to electronics to people who may not be able to afford them, as well as, reduces the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of.
Recycle
Recycling remains the most eco-friendly way to dispose of waste. Thankfully, there are several ways you can ensure items that no longer work are recycled. You can take them to schools or government offices that recycle them or drop them off at an e-waste certified recycler. Also, some electronic companies have an exchange policy where they take old devices when you purchase a new one, sometimes offering a discount on your new purchase.
But, if you don’t want to worry about proper disposal or pick-ups, you can always count on Waste Express to handle everything regarding waste removal. We ensure your electronics end up in the right place; be it to charity or to recycling companies. And, for those items that cannot be recycled, we ensure they are disposed of responsibly. At Waste Express, we work with local teams to provide more affordable, efficient, and same-day waste collection and removal services across the UK. Therefore, regardless of waste type (household or commercial) or scale (big or small), our team can handle the whole waste removal process. Contact us today and let us help you safeguard the environment and your sensitive information.