As sustainability becomes increasingly important for our environment and consumers, processes like electronic waste disposal also become more critical. Technology is more intertwined with our daily lives than ever before, but the life span for electronics is rapidly decreasing. As people quickly opt for technology upgrades, more electronic waste (e-waste) enters the planet.
Luckily, we can reuse materials and conserve resources with proper e-waste disposal and recycling. Read on to more about how e-waste recycling conserves important materials.
E-Waste in Landfills
Unfortunately, many electronic devices are simply being discarded in trash cans. When this happens, the electronics end up in landfills. Electronic appliances and devices pose a hazard in landfills because they can leak toxic materials. Many electronics have metal components, mercury, and lead, which will seep into the soil and ultimately the water systems. While e-waste makes up about 2% of landfill waste, it contributes to over 70% of the toxic waste!
In addition to toxicity, e-waste also damages the environment via wasted material. Electronics contain valuable metals like aluminum, steel, copper, and more. When the devices are discarded into landfills, all of those precious materials are wasted. To make new products, companies will need to use more resources which will further impact the environment. The best way to save valuable resources is to properly dispose of e-waste dallas.
Materials Reused from E-Waste
Electronics contain many valuable materials that can still be used after that device is no longer operable. There are many valuable materials that e-waste recycling saves, allowing people to reuse them in new products. Some materials that e-waste disposal is able to preserve include:
- Gold
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Iron
- Tin
- Titanium
- Silver
- Certain plastics
- Glass
- Printed Circuit Boards
E-waste disposal will extract the reusable materials so that they can be used to make new products of all kinds. Reusing the materials cuts down on waste overall and preserves resources, which is much better for the environment.
Ways to Dispose of E-Waste
Electronic waste should not be discarded in regular trash cans that end up in landfills. To ensure the materials are reused, you must dispose of e-waste in certain ways.
Resell/Donate
One way to reuse electronic goods is to donate or resell them to a person or organization that can still use them. If your electronics are still in working order, they make excellent donations. Even if the device does not work, you may be able to resell it to someone else who is looking for certain parts to repair other devices.
Recycle
The other option is to recycle your electronics. When you recycle e-waste, an official organization collects the electronics and recycle them. Only choose a reputable organization, as some have been caught sending the products to low-income countries where they are not disposed of correctly.
If you need more information about e-waste disposal or are looking for a way to recycle your electronics, we can help. Our dedicated team is happy to help you manage your e-waste so that the important materials can be reused. To learn more about our e-waste disposal services or to schedule an appointment, contact us HERE.
