WHAT IS E-WASTE?
E-waste is one of the fastest growing forms of waste in our world, with millions upon millions carelessly thrown away each year. For college students like me, who often upgrade their electronics for school or even social status, contributing to the e-waste issue is almost unavoidable.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
I believe that students have a unique opportunity to take steps of action against e-waste. If young adults start to rethink their consumption habits and leverage their available resources, it could be a big step for the future of waste management.
WHAT IS THIS WEBPAGE ABOUT?
My webpage proposes a web-based resource that is aimed towards college students and their environments. By proposing practical solutions for reducing e-waste for people who may be clueless or ignorant to the issue, it could hopefully empower them to destroy their ecological and digital footprint, and extend the lifespan of their devices that they rely on.
UNDERSTANDING THE E-WASTE ISSUE
According to a 2022 report by the United Nations,
"Only 17.4% of global e-waste is formally recycled, with the remainder often ending up in landfills, leaking harmful chemicals into the environment."
College students and young adults in general, who have been surrounded by this lifestyle surrounding technology for most of their lives, frequently replace devices due to trends or new upgrades. This contributes to the e-waste issue due to overconsumption. In this web page, it will tackle how to address this issue, meanwhile educating and informing students on the lifecycle of electronics and the importance of extending the usability of these devices.
FINDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR REUSE
One of the most effective ways to combat e-waste is repairing and maintaining your phones and laptops instead of replacing them
When your device is no longer meeting your needs, consider giving it a second chance. For example, if your old iPhone is still in good condition, or requires small repairs, pass it on to someone who could use it. Resources like Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, or even local charities are just a few options for passing down your phone. Even if those options don’t work for you, pass it down to a younger sibling, an older family member, or even friends who would utilize it. There are many organizations, especially ones that work in needy communities, who would welcome donations of old iPhones.
Reusing devices not only prevents them from ending up in landfills and contributing to the worldwide mess of e-waste, but it can extend their lifestyle, and prevent the manufacturing of new devices. Reusing technology can help build a circular economy, which is a huge step to keeping these materials recycling for as long as possible.
LETS TRY RETURNING THE ITEM TO THE MANUFACTURER.
So what happens if your electronics are broken or aren’t usable anymore?
The original manufacturers may be the best first option to responsibly get rid of your old electronics. Some companies have take-back programs that allow their customers to return their old devices for recycling, or even sometimes credit. Not all companies offer the programs, but if enough people demand recycling options, it could lead to them adopting more sustainable ways.
The importance of advocating for these take-back programs can hold these major companies accountable for their “overconsumption encouraging” ways. Not only can it benefit the Earth's health, it could provide more resources for them to start designing devices and new tech that are easier to recycle, or even better, repair. Staying persistent and strong can lead to a full 360 in the tech industry, which could lead to the reduction of environmental impact on electronic production and disposal.
RECYCLING RESPONSIBLY
If the other options don’t work and you can’t reuse or return the item to the original manufacturer, recycling them on your own terms is your best option. Electronics have a bunch of recoverable materials.
“In 2016, the value of recoverable materials in global e-waste was estimated at $64.6 billion, yet only 20% of e-waste was properly recycled. The rest was discarded in landfills, where toxic chemicals leach into soil and water, posing serious health risks.” - State of the Planet Article
Steps to recycle your technology:
1. Find an e-waste recycling facility near you. There are many places that specialize in recycling technology safely.
2. Search online for programs like Recycle Now, offered in UK countries which can help you locate e-waste disposal places near you. Many Staples and Best Buys can also offer technology recycling.
3. Be careful to not interact with companies that handle tech improperly, and do enough research to confirm its reliability.
When you properly dispose of devices that have technology in them, valuable materials gold and copper are recovered and reused.
According to The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says, “One metric ton of circuit boards can contain 40 to 800 times the amount of gold and 30 to 40 times the amount of copper mined from one metric ton of ore in the United States.” These precious materials can be reclaimed through recycling.”
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
When electronics are thrown away improperly, the consequences can ripple through the entire world. It affects ecosystems, communities and more. Toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium can reach into landfills and water supplies, which contaminates drinking water and harm wildlife. All the while, these valuable resources are going to waste and are being lost forever.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights the scale of this waste, noting that a "single metric ton of circuit boards can contain 30 to 40 times more copper than mined ore." When you don’t recycle these materials, it takes away from the opportunities to recover resources for future generations of technology.
According to an article by the BBC, "Rare earth minerals have played a key role in the transformation and explosive growth of China's world-beating economy over the last few decades."
WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
Addressing the e-waste crisis in general requires a large collective effort. If young adults and students can implement their studies into the future of our world’s economy, then hopefully it can reach major companies and they can start rebuilding their systems. By putting a hold on upgrades, reusing electronics, advocating for more take-back programs, and recycling technology responsibly, students can reduce their contribution to electronic waste.
sources:
https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/cleaning-electronic-waste-e-waste
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2018/08/27/growing-e-waste-problem/
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-ewaste-and-what-can-we-do-about-it.html
https://fortune.com/longform/apple-iphone-recycle-parts-old-iphones-daisy/
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150402-the-worst-place-on-earth
https://harmony1.com/the-global-face-of-recycling-infographic/
https://www.simslifecycle.com/infographics/electronics-today/
Credits:
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