Just one quick glance around your home or office – that is all it takes to see how much our daily lives have become dependent on technology. We are relying on electronic devices more than ever before. As a result, we enjoy easy access to various kinds of information, we communicate freely and we have new ways to entertain ourselves. But the rise of modern technology has many disadvantages too the greatest of which is the increasing amount of e-waste with which we have to deal every year. Electronic waste is very hazardous because it contains things like:
- Lead
- Copper
- Mercury
- Nickel
- Arsenic
This list can go on and on. Therefore, when disposed improperly, e-waste materials can expose us and the environment to many risks. That is why it is important to be extra careful when throwing away such items.
Don’t dump it – recycle it
Do not just chuck your old mobile phone in your rubbish container along with the rest of your household waste. The same goes for other electronics like computers, TVs, monitors and etc. E-waste must be recycled. Today, that is easier than ever before thanks to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations which the UK adopted nearly a decade ago. These days you can simply return your old camera or laptop to the shop from which you have purchased it and let someone else take care of its recycling. If, however, you have bought the item from an online retailer, that may be more difficult to do. When that is the case, transport your e-waste items to a local recycling centre or even better – call a licensed rubbish removal company to come and pick up the waste for you.
Sell it
You can also try and make some money out of your old electronic junk. There are plenty of online platforms through which you can sell second-hand products. Still, before you do that consider the condition of the item you want to sell. If it does not work properly or if it has a major factory defect, there will be little point in putting it back on the market. Just recycle it!
Donate or give it away
Again, the item must be in a good condition for you to donate it or to give it away to someone else. Many people give their old gadgets and IT equipment to other members of their family or their friends. Another great idea is to donate your outdated computer to the local library, children’s home or school. Your laptop may not be powerful enough to run your computer games but it will certainly be of great use to someone in need. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Backup your data
Before you do any of the above-listed things, don’t forget to erase all your data from your devices. That includes your passwords, browsing history and personal files. Back up your information and then wipe up the drive of the device and restore it to its factory settings.