What is electronic waste and how to avoid it?
electronic waste, or e-waste, is any type of electronic equipment that strong>no longer useful due to replacement with a more recent model, lack of use or damage.
WEEE (Electrical and Electronic equipment waste) comprises a wide range of equipment and are divided into categories:
1 - Temperature regulation equipment (e.g. refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners)
2 - Screens, monitors and equipment with screens with a surface area greater than 100 cm2 (e.g. televisions, laptops, monitors)
3 - Lamps
4 - Large equipment - greater than 50 cm (e.g. washing machines and dishwashers, stoves, musical equipment)
5 - Small equipment - less than 50 cm (e.g. vacuum cleaners, microwaves, toasters, clocks, calculators)
6 - Small computer and telecommunications equipment - with no external dimension exceeding 50 cm (e.g. cell phones, GPS)
In 2018, 48.5 million tons of e-waste were produced on the planet. In 2019 the number rose to 53 million tons. Of this astronomical value, only 17% was recycled correctly. A study carried out by the UN estimates that in 2050 we will produce around 120 million tons of WEEE.
The interior of most electronic equipment is made up of various types of metal such as gold, silver, palladium, copper and aluminum. The incorrect recycling of WEEE leads to these metals not being recovered or reused, ending up in landfills or incinerated. The big problem with this process is the release of toxic substances into the atmosphere, soil and oceans. These materials end up contaminating ecosystems, including animals or plants that humans can later ingest, affecting our health. Future generations will feel the effects of this poor waste management.
The United States, China and Europe, the largest producers of WEEE worldwide, export your electronic waste, sometimes illegally, to underdeveloped countries in Asia or Africa. In these third world countries, many people make a living looking for parts that can be soldin the middle of WEEE landfills. There, the air is toxic due to open burning of garbage. Anyone who handles all those metals on a daily basis without protection ends up getting sick very early on due to constant exposure to poisonous substances.
What can we do to avoid producing so much electronic waste?
1 - Don’t buy electronic equipment we don’t need
According to a study carried out by Marketwatch, on average, users buy a new cell phone after 15 months. Whether it's due to the desire to have the latest model, or due to damage whose repair is almost the price of new equipment. The most effective way to contribute to a planet with less e-waste is to extend the life of electronic products by taking good care of them. This way, you avoid buying a new one so often.
2 - Buy refurbished products
In case you need to buy an electronic device, you can opt for a Refurbished. These are products that have been discarded by the last user, undergone a rigorous maintenance and replacement of some parts, and returned to the market with a much more affordable price and a 1-year warranty. This type of recovery gives new life to technological equipment and contributes to the model of circular economy. The refurbished market has avoided the waste of thousands of tons of WEEE and generated more and more jobs.
3 - Recycle correctly
If your electronic equipment cannot be “salvaged”, make sure you DO NOT throw it in the general trash. On the website http://www.ondereciclar.pt/ You can consult the electronic waste collection sites closest to you and ensure that your damaged equipment will be correctly recycled!
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