Ways to Reduce Electronic Waste
We are living in a fast-paced world and it is unthinkable to live a life without electronic devices. Our whole life is connected with computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and wearable devices as the computers allow the businesses to expand, develop networks and allow people to be in contact with the latest news. There are several uses for all the electronic devices and with each passing day, we are becoming more and more dependent on computers.
But what is e-waste?
E-waste consists of used electronic devices, wires, mobile phones, computers, home appliances, etc.
It is important to reduce e-waste to help save the environment and also it helps people to develop, maintain and use all the electronic devices with utmost care. Read on to know about the ways which electronic waste can be reduced.
- Keep a check on what you buy:
A lot of e-waste is generated because people just end up buying things that they don’t even need. So, before buying any electronic device, ask yourself, is this something that you really need, or are you just buying it to show off to your friends? If the answer is no, then half the battle is won already.
- Purchase electronic devices that can be recycled:
Before purchasing new electronic devices, check whether they can be recycled or not. It can be known by the label Energy Star or by being approved by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). These days several companies are bringing awareness about the environment by making their products environment-friendly.
- Give away your used electronic devices:
There is a saying which goes like this “The best thing to do with the best things in life is to give them away”, it can also be applied to all the used electronic devices. If there is an electronic device that you do not need anymore, then the best thing to do is to just give it away to someone who needs it, as in this way you will do a good deed and save the environment simultaneously.
- Recycle all your e-waste at a centre:
If you’re tired of your old electronic devices and are ready to demolish them, then you must find a recycling center for electronic waste. You can’t simply throw away electronic waste like gadgets, computers, or any other phone if you want to ensure the health and safety of the people in the area around your home. E-waste is best recycled from the hands of those who use it improperly and should be handled by professionals who know how to reclaim precious metals from electronics.
- Repair Damaged Electronics at Home:
Some electronic devices last for around 2 to 3 years before starting to fail. But, there are some ways in which you can improve the longevity of your electronics if you learn to recognize and resolve hardware problems that arise. There are various tutorials available online, just watch them and follow them step by step, and also buy some tools and you are good to go.
- Sell Electronics which are not required anymore:
When you buy something new, it’s often easy to forget that you ever had that old device in your possession. When we upgrade our phones or buy a shiny new laptop, we tend to forget about the old one completely. But it turns out there are people who want the newer model, but don’t always have the money and want it! That’s why they’ll pay you good money for your current model of phone or computer and even take the time to head over to sites such as eBay, Olx, Cashify, and Quikr will reveal the opposite. Putting up your devices on these platforms at a reasonable cost means you’ll financially help them by not having to spend extra money for purchasing a brand new piece of equipment.
The Bottom Line:
Today more than ever we’re in a world where technology is constantly improving and growing. To stay ahead of the curve we must continue to say no to gadgets that are broken or have become unusable. Disposing of them by simply dumping them in a landfill is not the best way to help our environment in the future. If we recycle electronic equipment today by either donating it, repurposing it for future use or disposing of parts responsibly then we will be helping keep the world a safer place for our future generations.
