How to reduce e-waste in your home
E-waste is the waste derived from “discarded electrical or electronic devices”. Today, the growth of e-waste is a global issue and continues to be one of the fastest growing streams of waste in Australia, where every year, approximately 73kg of e-waste is generated by the average Australian.
Australian households and businesses are accumulating more and more electronic devices every day, tossing out out-dated devices as soon as the latest upgrade arrives. However, in a society so reliant on technology, our obsession with new technology is not likely to slow down, especially with the rate at which companies bring out new releases for the consumer. That’s why it is our responsibility to make sure that we are doing our part to reduce the amount of e-waste that we produce and dispose of it in a responsible and appropriate way.
The first step to this is to simply reduce the number of electronic we use. This is the most simple and straight-forward way to ensure that we ultimately reduce the amount of e-waste that’s produced. For those electronics we already own however, reuse of the device should be considered. In many cases, we are simply upgrading to have the latest version of a similar product. This means that consumers are actively getting rid of devices that are still in perfect working condition. In fact, it is estimated that Australian households carry around 25 million mobile phones that are no longer in use. To combat this, consider selling your old devices on websites like eBay or even on Facebook Marketplace. Also keep a look out for tech companies like Apple which offer trade-in deals with old devices that are still in good shape. Some other companies like Officeworks even have some stores with drop-off boxes for old items such as light bulbs, batteries and ink cartridges. All these options ensure that electrical and electronic devices don’t simply end up in landfill, while also allowing you to make some easy cash from it.
Understandably, not all of our electrical items and electronic devices can be reused as such. Even when we are forced to dispose of these, it is important to consider all the recycling options – after all, most types of e-waste are recyclable. One of the largest issues associated with the rapid growth of e-waste is the serious environmental effect that it has – in fact, approximately 70% of the toxic chemicals that are found in landfill such as mercury and lead are a direct result of the mass amount of e-waste that’s discarded incorrectly. Many of the toxic chemicals come from the electronics’ batteries, and they continue to pollute our water, soil and cause adverse effects to surrounding ecosystems.
To ensure that you are doing your part to reduce the amount of e-waste that ends up in landfill and does damage to our environment, find an ethical and reliable recycler to do the job. Solo Resource Recovery can provide you with affordable and effective waste disposal solutions for your e-waste. For advice on how you can best recycle your e-waste, feel free to speak to one of our friendly staff members at 1300 46 76 56 or alternatively, leave your query in the Contact Us form.
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