E-Waste Management Easy Steps: How We Can Reduce and Recycle Responsibly

What is the meaning of E-waste?

Ever think about what happens to your phone or TV after you throw them away? Electronic devices can’t be recycled with normal waste. E-waste includes all the devices that you throw in the dump, even if they still work. It includes your mobile phone, microwave, and even electric toys. All things that need electricity or a battery to work fall into this category. We use these devices daily. Like waking up with an alarm clock or scrolling our phones at night, they’re a part of our routine. 

Regular trash is easy to recycle. You can separate the glass from the metal and, similarly, other materials. This is simple. However, electronic devices are made of many materials. No matter how small a device is. It’ll have a battery or a plug, a metal body, wires, and more. All of which is recycled in different ways. This design makes the recycling process challenging. So, we’re trying to find better ways to dispose of it. But we still can’t recycle about 80% of e-waste properly.

Why is E-Waste a Growing Problem this year?

You must be wondering why this problem has suddenly become so urgent. This has been a concern for many years. But our recent careless behaviour has made it worse. 

• In the past, we used our devices until they stopped working. Now, companies are releasing new models every year.
• We are throwing away our working devices to buy the latest versions.
• Additionally, old models stop receiving updates. And their battery health also decreases over time.
• This indirectly forces us to upgrade even though we don't need to.

When more people buy the new models, companies increase their production. This leads to more waste. And let’s be real. Currently, we don't know the proper recycling process for e-waste. That’s why it makes up to 70% of all toxic waste in the world. Some countries have good recycling systems, but we still need a plan that works for everyone. And sadly, we’re not doing enough to solve this problem. 

How are we managing E-Waste today?

We can’t fully reverse this situation; however, we can manage it. We’re trying to reduce e-waste by:

• Governments and agencies are trying to improve the recycling system.
• Many campaigns are spreading awareness about e-waste.
• More recycling centres are developing. 
• Harmful stuff is separated from the valuable materials. And it is disposed of with other toxic waste.
• We recycle the metal parts to create new raw materials.
• More people are now selling and donating their old devices instead of discarding them. As a result, brands are making new devices in smaller amounts.

These steps are easy and helpful for managing e-waste. And they are working. However, we need to start adopting smarter habits. 

The Dark Side of E-Waste Recycling: Exporting the Problem Abroad

There is also a dark side to this global crisis. Many governments can’t afford proper recycling. So, they dump 90% of their e-waste in developing countries. This isn't good for these countries because;

• Most of the e-waste that is exported is non-recyclable.
• Developing countries lack systems for safe recycling.
• So, the waste we export ends up in their landfills.
• Polluting the land and water.
• As a result, these people are dying from diseases. 

This is not the right way. And if we recycle more responsibly, we can save many lives. We should work on finding better e-waste solutions so that no one suffers. 

Practical Tips to Reduce Your E-Waste Impact:

It's time that we start thinking about how to reduce e-waste. There is a lot of work that our government needs to do. However, we can also help to reduce it. We should smartly deal with this problem, like:

• Postpone Upgrading for as long as you can:

We get that it feels good to upgrade to a newer model. But for the sake of your planet, you should delay buying a new one for as long as you can. Ask yourself, Do I need to upgrade? If not, then stick to your old device. Also, use your devices with care so they’ll last you longer. Still, if you damage your device, try to get it repaired first. Although upgrading seems harmless, it causes companies to make more products. Hence, we can reduce e-waste by upgrading our devices smartly.

• Try returning the item to the manufacturer:

Return policies make it easy to sell your things. Today, companies encourage the return of old devices, including big ones like Apple and Samsung. This is a smart step to reduce e-waste. These companies renew and sell your used stuff. Or else they reuse their parts in other models. This way, even devices that are useless to you are recycled into something new. The more parts that the makers reuse, the less we have to recycle. Additionally, this can put some cash back into your pocket.

• Take them to a certified recycling facility:

Whether you have a single device or a bunch of old ones, you should find a certified e-waste recycler. They offer fair prices and recycle your devices properly. And most of them collect devices from your doorstep for free. So, you can recycle without worrying about any charges. And if your device is in good condition, you can sell it for good money.

There are many recycling facilities available. Some of them repair and sell your devices to users. Others recycle all devices, whether broken or working. You can survey these sites and sell to the one that offers the best price.

• The upgrade vs replace battle:

When old devices break, we use this as an excuse to buy the latest model. Well, this is wrong; you should try to get it fixed instead. And if it can’t be repaired, you can replace it with a second-hand device. This is a budget-friendly option and will save you money. So, why waste your money when you can replace it with a similar product? Upgrading seems fun, but if you’re not careful, it can run your pockets dry.

Conclusion:

E-waste is a more serious threat than we think. And it is going to hit us very soon. We need to work on how to stop e-waste from spreading. This is why we need to find the right sell electronics waste solutions. Otherwise, e-waste will poison our environment. We must promote a circular economy as it is essential for reducing e-waste. Moreover, dumping our waste in other countries is not a long-term solution. Soon, it’ll affect us too, and it might be too late by then. We need to make some changes like:

• Design a more effective plan to recycle e-waste correctly.
• And upgrade only when necessary.
• And when we do upgrade, we should sell our old one or give it to someone in need.

We can decrease the severity of this issue over time just by taking these simple steps. Otherwise, it’ll harm Earth’s atmosphere. As this is the only planet where we humans can survive, we must take this seriously. E-waste management should be our top priority this year. This way, we can keep our planet clean.