The importance of reducing e-waste

Electronic devices are redundant nowadays. We have them everywhere in our lives without realizing how harmful they are to us and the environment despite being in good working order. Imagine the damage they cause to the environment after they go out of use because they are no longer functional and we throw them away.

The United Kingdom is one of the largest producers of e-waste in the world. Based on the requirements of the British, many companies offer electronic waste removal services. So it’s very easy for you to get rid of electronic items but reducing them remains necessary anyway.

What is e-waste (electronic waste)?

E-waste includes everything with plugs, cables and electronic components. Electronic waste includes televisions, computers, cell phones and all kinds of household appliances, from air conditioners to children’s toys.

How to Reduce E-Waste?

Let’s stop for a moment at recycling. Do you think that is the best solution to get rid of any kind of waste? Well, the current electronic waste recycling solutions are not giving the result we would like. Thus, the problem is simply being exported to countries where labour laws and safety do not protect those who do the hazardous work of processing electronic waste. It is worth mentioning here that computers, for example, are sent to China, Africa or India where some laws are a little weaker.

So it is better to support the idea of ​​reusing some items than that recycling. Electronic waste is defined as discarded electrical or electronic equipment that can lead to human and environmental damage if disposed of in landfills as it contains toxic chemicals such as mercury and lead. These toxins can penetrate the soil and water; the risk is great that they enter our drinking water, posing a problem for our health.

Donating or reselling your electronic devices is one of the best ways. You can donate them to a relative or charity. Or look for an eBay buyer who will use them, and resell them either in their current condition or in parts.

Consuming less is not that difficult. Nowadays there are so many electronic items that it is very easy to buy the latest cell phone or a brand new laptop. If we stop for a moment why do we have to buy so many new things when we can repair old ones. Think about it, there is no need to buy a new laptop when you can just upgrade the software. It is good to be a reasonable consumer.

The use of memory or other devices to store significant amounts of data on the Internet today has become easily replaceable. You can save your information in Dropbox, a Dropbox alternative for media, or Google Drive which costs nothing and you use it for free. You can also look for a convenient software for storing your information that offers free services for up to 30 days. You can easily find one that suits you.

Buy Energy Star-rated equipment. Energy Star appliances are environmentally friendly and will also help you save electricity. Check if the device you buy has an Energy Star label. This gives you a discount from the environmental protection agency when you recycle your old equipment and buy a new Energy Star mod.

Become a good customer. Look for products that can have a much longer shelf life, so you will not have to replace them within a few years or even months. Look around for the product you need and its brand to make sure it does not break easily or be damaged immediately.

If you consider these moves and put them into practice by suggesting them to others it will also be a great help in reducing the electronic waste that ends up in the landfill.