E-Waste Management, why is it necessary?

• August 22, 2022
• jennifer
• E-Waste

We live in a world where technology is the basis of everything. We use it, swap it, and trash it. If you have to replace a mobile phone you have used for two years, you would buy a new phone and throw the old one away. While this might be convenient for you as the user, have you ever thought of the environment and how it will impact the way you might live in the future?

What is E-Waste?

E-Waste has a very simple definition. It is any form of electronic or electric equipment that has been thrown away or discarded. E-Waste is a very self-explanatory term; it stands for electronic waste. E-waste causes a lot of harm to humans, animals, and the environment, so there is a dire need for e-waste management. It is rich in heavy metals and other chemicals that seep into the soil, making it barren. Some particles are carcinogenic, i.e., they cause cancer when ingested into our body (via air, water, or food) over a long period of time

E-waste is very toxic, and only via proper management can it be contained. Managing E-waste is not an easy task, especially in our busy lives, so taking the necessary precautions is very important. However, it is not just limited to us, the users, but also the vendors that sell various appliances that sometimes go unsold. Unsold appliances are not usually thrown away, but when they are, they can be very perilous.

What constitutes E-Waste

Appliances that you use in your day-to-day lives can constitute E-waste if you discard them improperly. Here are a few instances of the E-waste you might generate going about your daily lives:

• What would you do if the microwave you have been using for the past 10 years went bad? One way people can go about doing this is by throwing it away in the garbage. Microwave ovens are bulky, so not many people throw away heavy appliances like that, so this occurrence is not likely.
• On the other hand, if you have a broken phone, you are more likely to dispose of it improperly. Mobile phones have a lot of heavy metals like cadmium and selenium, which can seep into the soil and are also carcinogenic.
• Other home entertainment devices also have the same issue. They are small in size and easier to dispose of but have a huge impact on the quality of waste in the area. You need to be very careful when you are disposing of various appliances and such devices.

How to manage E-Waste?

There are various ways to manage E-waste properly, to reduce the damage it can cause to the environment, and to reduce all the effects of E-waste. Here are some ways by which you can do so:

• Proper Disposal: Disposing of E-waste can be done in various ways. Rather than throwing it away in a dump, you can dispose of it properly via the proper means. There are people who collect E-waste to dispose of it in the right manner or recycle it.
• Recycling: Another way to manage E-waste is by recycling any parts or chips you can find in your appliances. You cannot do this at home, don’t try it, but some companies do this work for you (and all of us, waste is a collective responsibility). What’s better, they even pay you according to the amount of waste you give them.
• Nowadays, companies have started giving exchange offers according to the condition of your appliance. It promotes the safe and careful use of any appliance so that the waste generated due to it can be minimized. The incentive is that the better the condition of the appliance will be, the greater amount of money you will get for it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, E-waste management is very necessary. Without proper management, the environment can be impacted greatly (in a negative way), so it is very necessary to dispose of e-waste properly. There are various places you can go to do so, be sure to do your research before taking any step in this direction.