Trying out new tech is always fun, especially when you consider yourself a top tier gadget geek or are your friends and family’s go-to for all things tech related. No matter the drive, getting your hands on a new phone or a computer is always thrilling.
But what happens to your old devices? Where do they go?
Technology, as we have it, is both a boon and a bane. With tech giants pumping out millions of devices each year, spreading the use and knowledge of technology by making their devices accessible to the general masses, it is becoming more and more important to innovate ways to dispose of old electronic junk efficiently.
A huge percentage of discarded electronics end up in water bodies, polluting marine life, intoxicating the soil they lay in and when burnt indiscriminately releasing a number of toxins into the atmosphere affecting both humans and animals.
Why is it crucial that we manage our electronic waste efficiently?
Most people will only as far as to trade in cell phones to make a switch to their new devices but that’s not nearly enough what we ought to be doing to save our environment. Close to 50 million metric tons of electronic waste is generated every year. That’s equivalent to 12,500 fully grown Asian Elephants, just to give you an approximate idea of the voluminous heap of e-waste we generate in one revolution around the sun.
Out of this mammoth pile of waste, only one-eighth of it is actually recycled which is a mere 12.5%. Where does the rest go? Such wastes are either dumped into landfills, are incinerated or worse, tossed into the oceans left to rot away for an eternity.
A large number of what is labelled as “e-waste” is actually not waste at all. These are fully functional whole electronic equipment or parts that are readily marketable for reuse or can be recycled for materials recovery. As a matter of fact, a ton of “recycling experts” and companies collect all these wastes and ship them overseas, mostly into third world countries, and dump them in gigantic pits; something that is usually not made news to the general public.
Since these devices use many precious metals like gold, silver, iron and copper they are sourced from too by none other than children. These practices are not only illegal, to say the least, but are also chipping away at the lives of countless children who are forced into this hamster wheel of illicit employment and dangerous “work” environments. All of this is done under the veil of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and philanthropy so they end up earning good PR and goodwill, to make matters worse.
Many such countries have also witnessed a surge in their rates of cybercrime. This happens because a lot of users are unable to erase the data from their devices which either becomes obsolete or encrypted, making it difficult for them to access it. Therefore when cybercriminals get their hands on these devices they use to commit a number of crimes which are usually hard to trace too.
After learning about all of this, if you’ve decided to play your part in disposing of old electronics the right way then continue reading to know about our eco-friendly solutions for your old devices.
1. Find a Certified E-waste Recycler
There are many qualified e-waste recycling organisations that are certified to carry out recycling work. They ensure all your electronics are taken apart and sorted into groups of materials that can and cannot be recycled. This eliminates the possibility of your devices falling into the wrong hands and also eradicates the chances of children having to dig through them in a toxic environment to find precious metals, thereby saving them from a lifetime of chronic health ailments.
2. Sell Your Old Devices
This has got to be the masses’ go-to option due to many reasons. There are many online platforms that buy and sell phones online so if you’re looking to sell your used phone or laptop you can do so with online marketplaces like SmartphonesPlus.com. Selling off your old electronics enables you to get some quick cash that you can put into your new device or save it for whatever purpose. Vice versa if you need some cash and have a lot of old devices lying around you can sell them promptly and hassle free. Just make sure they are in working condition because if not they’ll just be put aside for recycling or might be disassembled for parts and you won’t get a price on them.
3. Donate Towards a Cause
There are numerous institutions and NGO’s that carry out donation programs across the country. Do your fair bit of research in finding the best organization that will accept your donations. A large number of children and adolescents are unable to get a decent education due to lack of resources; therefore a small effort on your part can mean the world to them. Not all of us are in a position to buy them new devices but if you have old ones that are in perfect working condition you can also donate it to those that are in need.
4. Give them back to the Electronic Companies
Giving your old devices back to their respective brands/tech firms can work in your favor especially if you’re looking to upgrade. Apple, for example, has their own Trade-in program which lets you trade-in your old iPhone in exchange for store credit towards your new phone or an Apple Gift Card which you can use to purchase a whole array of Apple services.
Before you decide to sever bonds with your old e-friends make sure to always format your devices. This serves two purposes:
- Your data is erased from your phone so one can tap into it and violate your privacy.
- A factory reset makes your device brand new for its new user, especially if your phone or laptop is in pristine condition.
- With the above point in mind, try to ensure your device feels new enough by fixing any broken screens or adding in a new SD card. If you’re looking to sell then this can also get you a higher price as compared to a screen with visible defects.
Enjoy your new devices but make sure to take care of our old ones in the most environment friendly way possible.
