Electronics have revolutionized our lives and changed the way we communicate, entertain ourselves, and even how we work. And while many of these devices have changed society for the better, our need to constantly upgrade has created a problem in our landfills known as electronic waste. Collectively, the world throws out 50 million pounds of electronic waste every single year, reported by the World Economic Forum.
These thrown-out devices make their way into our landfills, releasing toxins that hurt the environment. And with our society relying more on technology with every passing day, it’s clear that e-waste is a worldwide problem that is only getting worse. The first step in diminishing the issue is by starting right in our homes, from recycling the products we have to keeping our current electronics in good condition. To help consumers accomplish this, the team at Soda has provided tips on how we can take part in reducing e-waste from the landfills.
Five Tips to Lessen E-Waste
The electronic items in our homes often contain toxic metals and chemicals that leak into our landfills. The steps outline ways to take part in reducing the amount of toxic waste in the world, from purchasing Energy Star products to donating old technology.
- Keep current electronics. Finding ways to increase the lifespan of your electronics is not only helpful to the environment but can also save you money in the long run.
- Buy Energy Star rated products. Electronics with the Energy Star rating don’t require as much energy to run as other items on the market, which helps lower your usage of fossil fuels.
- Educate others. Being an advocate in your community can help to increase worldwide knowledge of e-waste and encourage others to take more eco-friendly measures.
- Donate old technology. If you know of a business, family, or charity that would be able to benefit from the electronics you no longer need, donate them to give them a second life.
- Recycle. In some cities, there are electronic recycling centers that not only know how to properly dispose of various devices, but also can reuse some parts as well.
Although e-waste only accounts for 2% of the United States’ landfills, it contributes to 70% of all toxic waste. This overwhelming statistic can be lowered with small steps in the right direction, starting right in our own homes. We use laptops, smart TVs, SD cards, and smartphones daily, and new electronic devices are introduced constantly. Because of this, implementing eco-friendly rules in your home is an easy way to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and toxins in the environment. If you want more information on how to properly recycle and take care of your electronics, make sure to check out Soda’s infographic below.
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