How to Handle E-Waste
by Tyler Castle
2.6 min read
It’s nearly impossible to imagine our lives without our smart phones, voice automation, gaming systems, laptops, tablets, or fitness tech. The electronics industry continues to bring new and amazing things to the world, and that’s a trend that shows no sign of slowing.
Such innovation, however, also presents an important challenge: how do we handle the disposal of electronics? What do we do with “e-waste”? It’s a big and growing problem that affects every person on the planet. Luckily, those are the same people who can do something to help.
Tips for E-Waste Disposal
Keep Toxins Out of Landfills
Electronics contain mercury, lead, cadmium, lithium, and other toxic components. If not disposed of properly, e-waste can poison the planet and all of its inhabitants.
Save Natural Resources
Not every part of a device is toxic. E-waste also includes valuable metals, such as iron, copper, and gold, which represent billions of dollars wasted per year.1 When devices are properly disposed of, these metals are recoverable.
Know Your Local Rules
This might seem like a no-brainer, but never put electronic devices or peripherals (like controllers or cords) into the regular trash or recycling bin. Review your local rules and services and, when necessary, be sure that you are disposing of electronics properly.
Search the Web
Search for “electronics recycling near me” to discover local options, drop-off events, and other collection services that can make recycling a breeze. In some cases, you might also find “manufacturer take-back” options.
How to Reduce E-Waste
Maintain Existing Electronics
Take good care of the devices you already have. If something breaks, explore repair or refurbishment options. Give electronics a longer lifespan.
Sell or Donate for Re-use
If you have working items that you no longer use (or in situations where upgrading is a preference), consider selling the old items to someone else, donate to a local charity, or give them away via sites like freecycle.org.
Buy Green
Support the cycle of re-use by choosing refurbished items and/or green electronics (devices made using sustainable materials and manufacturing processes).
Use the Cloud
Cloud-based storage services can be used instead of buying additional hard drives or flash drives.
Act Small, Think Big
One of the toughest challenges of e-waste is that it has large-scale impact that relies on individual effort. It’s important to think beyond a single office or household; it’s crucial to consider the minor inconvenience of recycling within a broader context.
For example, if one million of us make the decision to take a laptop in for recycling, together we would save energy equivalent to the electricity needed to run more than 3,500 U.S. homes for a whole year.2
About Santanna Energy
Santanna Energy Services offers a variety of electricity and natural gas solutions to eligible customers in Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana. Scroll down below and enter your service address to view energy plans available at your location. Or simply give us a call and one of our energy specialists will be happy to help! Call: 630-491-6784.
Sources:
1https://www.sciencenews.org/article/annual-e-waste-electronics-recycling-75-million-metric-tons
2https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling
Tyler is an experienced energy professional, having worked for Santanna Energy Services, for the past four years. He is passionate about renewable energy and believes that diversifying the energy grid is the key to a sustainable future. Tyler is dedicated to supplying consumers with the best possible energy solutions and works diligently to make sure that Santanna can deliver the highest quality service.
