The technological era has made it possible for people to use electronic devices to improve their lives. The worldwide market has an increasingly steady demand for gadgets, making the electronics industry a flourishing field of this generation.
However, along with more electronic devices comes e-waste that needs proper disposal. Unfortunately, e-waste disposal is not as easy as throwing a drawer of old gadgets and damaged wires into your rubbish bin.
What are e-wastes?
E-waste is short for “electronic waste.” Experts also refer to it as “waste electrical or electronic equipment” or WEEE.
E-waste comprises of electronic scraps or trash, such as plugs, cords, batteries and broken and outdated electronic devices. According to the World International Forum, these include electric and electronic equipment.
There’s a rapid growth of e-waste streams in the world today, with approximately 48 tonnes of e-waste produced in 2018. E-waste comes from everywhere, businesses, government, and even from our own homes.
Is e-waste disposal something we should worry about?
According to New York City’s Department of Sanitation Press Secretary, Dina Montes, improper e-waste disposal can potentially harm our ecosystem. This waste often has heavy metals and other dangerous chemicals in it, such as lead, mercury, and lithium.
Such chemicals cause environmental pollution, making e-waste control and electronics recycling more complicated and costly.
E-wastes have also been found to have negative health impacts on humans. A recent study conducted on e-wastes revealed that improper e-waste disposal has detrimental effects on our organ systems. Some of these include chronic brain damage, hormonal disorders, and nervous system and circulatory system damage.
How should we address the e-wastes stream?
E-waste is the most dangerous waste on earth today. As such, policymakers are looking into electronics recycling as a means to address an increase in e-waste globally.
What is electronics recycling?
Electronics recycling refers to the reprocessing and reuse of any obsolete or broken electrical or electronic equipment. Its primary goal is to be able to use e-waste components for other things.
Why is electronics recycling necessary?
Electronics recycling both has economic and environmental gains, which countries all over the world should take advantage of:
· Prevents further environmental degradation
Electronics recycling separates old electrical and electronic parts as part of the process. It minimises the need to tap into newer natural sources of electronic materials. Environmentally, this is beneficial as mining activities may also be lessened as its consequence.
· Rich source of valuable metals
E-waste is a rich source of valuable metals such as gold, copper, and aluminium. As a matter of fact, more gold can be taken from 1 metric ton of old computers than 17 tons of ore.
· Energy-saving scheme
Electronics recycling has been found to be a good energy-saving strategy. For instance, recycling of 1 million laptops could save the world as much electrical energy as used by approximately 3,500 households.
Non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels can also be conserved through electronics recycling. The United Nations found that the manufacturing of a single computer requires 240 kilograms of fossil fuels. That can be decreased with electronics recycling.
· Public health safety
When e-waste disposal and electronics recycling are done properly, the emission of toxic substances from old laptops, computers, and electronic devices is prevented.
Got e-waste? Let’s talk.
Starting e-waste disposal and electronics recycling can be daunting to handle. With the complexity of electronic devices, they can’t just be thrown in the rubbish. That doesn’t mean you have to do it alone, however.
Our trained e-wastes disposal and management personnel at Skip the Tip are experts in handling your e-wastes in compliance with Australia’s National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. We can assure you that all your electronic wastes are not dangerously stuck in your skip bin.
Let’s work together towards a pollution free and healthful environment. Give us a call at 0414 375 375 or message us at sales@newcastleskipbins.com.
