What do we do with electronic waste?

The problem of electronic waste, or e-waste as it’s commonly known, is getting bigger by the day. The unprecedented technological advancement of our times has caused the top-notch equipment of today to need to be replaced by an even better equipment tomorrow. This poses the problem of removing the obsolete equipment. The solution sounds simple enough – just throw it away. But is this right?

Well, if you throw away electronic equipment, you risk it to ruin the environment. Most of the electronic equipment that we have nowadays, has a toxic level of hazardous substances. These are then left to degrade by themselves somewhere. These hazardous substances leak out in nature, and cause havoc. This is why it’s important to not just simply throw away our old electronic equipment.

So, how can you get rid of the e-waste without ruining the environment? Well, there are several ways. First of all, if you have equipment that’s old and needs to be replaced, but the old equipment is still functioning, then you can give this old equipment to a person that might need it. For example, you might have a neighbor that’s in need of a laptop, and if he won’t mind that it’s an obsolete laptop that you have in your household – then it’s best that you give it to him. In this way, he won’t have to buy a new laptop, saving money in the process, and you won’t have to throw your old laptop away and ruin the environment. Everyone wins.

If you have no such neighbors, you can give your old equipment to a school in your area. Most schools in the US are, sadly, in desperate need of equipment. Chances are they will find use for your old equipment. You might think that handing your old equipment to other people and organizations is somewhat condescending, but we assure you that this isn’t the case at all. One man’s thrash is another man’s treasure, and this may very well be the case with your old equipment that might be put into good use by the schools.

And if there are no schools and neighbors that might need your old equipment, then you could ask around. Perhaps there are some hospitals in need of electronic equipment, perhaps there are some other places as well. This will be a lot more nobler way to get rid of the old equipment, than simply throwing it out at the dumpsters.

SOURCE: https://www.igassetmanagement.com/blog/what-do-we-do-with-electronic-waste