Ever wonder what happens to all your old electronics when you dump them in the garbage? How many electronics do you think one household generates in a year; probably not a lot right? I mean how much harm could a phone or a tablet really do?
According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2020 report, we have collectively generated over 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste in 2019 with numbers almost doubling the following year. We have been witnessing upward trends since the last 5 years and worst part is very little of all the e-waste generated is ever recycled. In fact, only a mere 17.3% of all this waste were recycled.
Now, we know that a lot of precious metals are used in the manufacturing of phones and other electronics. Which means that an estimated $60 billion (yes, that Billion with a “B”) worth of gold, silver, copper, platinum and other high-value, recoverable materials used as components were mostly dumped or burned rather than being collected for treatment and reuse in new electronics or as spare parts and repair materials for old ones.
At this point, E-waste generation leading to global warming should be the least of our worries. When e-waste isn’t treated properly and put into recycle plants, they tend to pollute water bodies along with all the marine and aquatic life in it. People consume all kinds of foods that come from these water bodies which ultimately leads to a plethora of health problems including mercury positing and other non-reversible health issues.
Adding to the already larger than life air pollution problems in major cities across the world, a whopping 98 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents were released into the atmosphere as a result of inadequate recycling in 2020.
Waste management systems are so ineffective but who is to be blamed for it; the consumers, the recycling authorities, the consumers? When you see piles of old monitor screens, desktop computers, broken landline telephones, mobile handsets, televisions, voltage stabilizers, air conditioners, refrigerators, microwaves, vacuum cleaners and washing machines outside repair stores and feel helpless, remember that we all had a hand to play in them ending up there.
So, what can we do as consumers to lessen the devastating impact of e-waste generation?
Here are a few things that can save the planet little by little if conscious effort is put into it:
1. Consider Refurbished Cell Phones
The cell phone market is teeming with all kinds of fancy gadgets that overcrowd the shelves all year round. As consumers we have TONS and TONS of options to skim through when buying a new phone. So, what the problem, right? When there are so many options made available to the population at affordable prices, people tend to turn a blind eye to the “cheaper” alternatives. There’s a notion in the consumerist market that the more expensive an item is the better the quality. This cannot be farther from the truth.
In today’s electronics market you will find fleets of options in refurbished cell phones that not only look and feel new but also work just as well as new phones. Many start-ups that come up with an initiative to save the planet and in doing so provide high quality refurbished cell phones that one can take his pick from. They’re most of high-quality and render superb services.
Of course, it is the duty of the consumer to conduct through research before buying a refurbished electronic item since there are quite a few people out there taking advantage of this newly formed market, scamming people for their selfish endeavours.
If you’re looking to buy used phones or even put up your old phones for sale, SmartphonesPLUS is the perfect solution for you. We undertake all kinds of buying and selling of old phones so make sure to start your research with our page at SmartphonesPLUS.com.
2. Each Component Plays a Part
Did you know that a single recycled cell phone can save enough energy to power a laptop for almost two days? Now, going by above estimates of how much waste is actually generated, we can harness enough power from just recycled cell phones alone to provide electricity to a million homes for 5 to 6 whole years as per current usage trends.
But hold on, it doesn’t end there. We all know by now that mobile phones are composed of different important elements such as gold, silver, palladium, mercury, etc. which can be recovered if they are properly recycled. The elements are highly functional and cost a lot, reusing means there is less need to mine for these components which will end up saving the environment and also brining down production costs which means more money can be directed towards the lower income groups helping them live better lives.
Ignoring all these factors would mean deliberately green-lighting the onslaught of a global catastrophe.
3. Declutter Your Mind and Your Homes
Recycling is such an important part of future societies, it CANNOT be stressed enough. Knowing that you are doing your part in saving the planet (no matter how small your actions might feel) has got to be one of the most relieving feelings ever. De-cluttering your home by taking out all used, non-functioning electronics that have been laying in your dresser for months has got to come with a sigh of relief.
As consumers, we not only have the power to raise issues on a public front regarding efficient waste management but we can also do our part in making sure all the e-waste generated doesn’t end up in landfills and ocean floors. There are many non-profits and unorganized groups that do active work to make sure all the e-waste actually ends up in recycling plants.
When it comes to saving the planet, every little effort can go a long way.
Recycling not only helps the planet but also helps the less privileged earn their daily bread and butter who put in hours scouring through waste for old discarded electronics. In fact, even if your phone is not refurbish-able, many charities will recycle the components and precious metals within your phone and use the money to support people in need or the environment.
In this fight against global e-waste generation we must all come together in unison to win this war so future generations have something to look forward to. Here’s to a better, greener future!
