Do you have a bunch of old electronics piled up in a closet somewhere? An old flip phone that you have no idea what to do with? Proper recycling of electronic devices is important but can seem like a daunting task. Thankfully it’s easier than you thought it would be, and they’re a lot of reasons why you should do it!
Take Care of The Planet
Any recycling offers massive benefits to the environment. Material that can be repurposed reduces the impact on the environment since the amount of production can be reduced by recycling what we already have. The same is true for electronics – from televisions, to that old Nokia phone you have stashed in a drawer somewhere.
Reduce Fossil Fuel Waste
Ever wonder how much fossil fuel it took to produce your desktop computer? For the desktop and monitor alone, it’s estimated to be 530 lbs of fossil fuel. It takes a surprisingly large amount of natural resources to produce electronics. Recycling them is one way to shrink those numbers by repurposing existing materials.
Conserve Water
Speaking of natural resources, care to guess how much water went into the production of your smartphone? If your guess was 3,910 gallons, you’re correct. Yes, gallons. The stages of producing a smartphone and all the component materials involved take a lot more water than many realize.
Hazardous Materials Begone
There are several toxic or hazardous materials used in electronics; mercury, lead, and polyvinyl chloride, for instance. Dump them off just anywhere, and those materials could make their way back to your drinking water. If burned, toxic chemicals will be released into the air,
Proper recycling ensures these materials are handled and disposed of properly. Sometimes the chemicals can be recycled themselves.
Reduce Clutter
No one likes junk piling up in their home or workplace, but if you’re not sure what to do with your old electronics, you might find them taking up precious space.
While it’s good to avoid the temptation to throw them into the dumpster, we understand that space can be better used for things you need. Recycling is the perfect way to clear up that space without second-guessing how you’re impacting the environment.
A Happier Workplace
More and more people are becoming concerned about the environment. A study in Australia found that 75% of workers would be happier if their job site were more environmentally friendly. This means energy-efficient buildings, access to recycling bins, and options for recycling e-waste.
Data Theft
No one wants their old cell phone broken into by a hacker. If you toss that old iPhone in the trash, a dumpster diver could gain access to your private information. Examples of this info includes credit card numbers, addresses, and photos.
Just tossing it into the trash won’t work. Several e-waste companies offer guidance in securing your data, as well as wiping your device, to prepare it for recycling.
Reduce Landfill Volumes
The amount of waste in landfills is startling. Waste in the oceans is even more sobering. Recycling electronics is an easy way to divert would-be trash to facilities where it is properly repurposed. That alone is a pretty attractive benefit to recycling e-waste.
Keep Business Costs Down
Did you know your business can be fined for the improper disposal of electronics? In some areas, programs aimed to incentivize recycling programs can fine your place of employment for failing to recycle electronic waste. If dumping of electronics isn’t banned outright, it often comes with steep prices to do so.
Benefit the Environment and the Economy
Electronic recycling is a broad field with many steps in the process. As a result, it creates tens of thousands of jobs every year. When you recycle your e-waste, you’re not only doing the environment a favor – you’re helping out the economy as well.
Proper Disposal is Easy
You’re ready to give back to the planet and recycle some of that e-waste. It’s easy to look up where to recycle electronics and no matter where you’re located, there’s likely a facility you can visit that’s near you.
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