What is e-waste and how to avoid it?

The electronic waste, or e-waste (e-waste), is any type of electronic equipment that is no longer useful by replacement with a more recent model, lack of use or damage.

The WEEE (Rwaste from EEelectrical and Eelectronic equipment) comprise a wide range of equipment and are divided into categories:

 

  1 - Temperature regulation equipment (eg refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners)

 

  2 - Screens, monitors and equipment with screens with a surface area greater than 100 cm2 (eg televisions, laptops, monitors)

 

  3 - Lamps

 

  4 - Large equipment - greater than 50 cm (ex: washing machines and dishwashers, stoves, musical equipment)

 

  5 - Small equipment - less than 50 cm (ex: vacuum cleaners, microwaves, toasters, clocks, calculators)

 

  6 - Small computer and telecommunications equipment - with no external dimension greater than 50 cm (ex: 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 figure, 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 composed of various types of metals 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 sanitary landfills or incinerated. The big problem with this process is the release of toxic substances into the atmosphere, soils 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 bad waste management.

The United States, China and Europe, largest producers of WEEE worldwide, export their electronic waste, sometimes illegally, to underdeveloped countries in Asia or Africa. In these third world countries, many people make a living looking for parts of parts that can be sold in the middle of the WEEE landfills. There, the air is toxic due to open garbage burnings. Whoever handles all those metals daily without protection ends up getting sick very early due to constant exposure to poisonous substances.

 

 

What can we do to prevent the production of so much electronic waste?

 

 

1 - Don't buy electronic equipment you don't need

According to a study carried out by Marketwatch, on average, users buy a new mobile phone after 15 months. Whether it's the desire to have the latest model, or a damage whose repair is almost the price of a new equipment. The most effective way to contribute to a less e-waste planet is to prolong the life of electronics by taking good care of them. Thus, avoid buying a new one so often.

2 - Buy refurbished products

In case you need to buy electronic equipment, you can opt for a refurbished one These are products that were discarded by the last user, underwent strict maintenance and replacement of some parts and returned to the market with a much more affordable price and with 1 year warranty. This type of recovery gives new life to technological equipment and contributes to the model of the 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 has no possible “salvation”, make sure that DO NOT throw it in the common waste. On the website http://www.ondereciclar.pt/ you can consult the electronic waste collection points closest to you and This way you ensure that your broken equipment will be correctly recycled!

 

 

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