What is electronic waste and how to avoid it?

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is any type of electronic equipment that is no longer useful due to being replaced by a newer model, lack of use, or damage.

The WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) comprises a wide variety of equipment and is 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 - larger than 50 cm (e.g.: washing machines, dishwashers, stoves, musical equipment)

  5 - Small-sized equipment - less than 50 cm (e.g.: vacuum cleaners, microwaves, toasters, clocks, calculators)

  6 - Small-sized computer and telecommunications equipment - with no external dimension exceeding 50 cm (e.g.: mobile 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 conducted by the UN estimates that by 2050 we will produce around 120 million tons of WEEE. 

The interior of most electronic equipment is made up 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 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 may ingest later, affecting our health. Future generations will be the ones to feel the effects of this poor waste management.

The United States, China, and Europe, the largest producers of WEEE worldwide, export their electronic waste, sometimes illegally, to developing countries in Asia or Africa. In these third world countries, many people make a living searching for spare parts that can be sold among the WEEE landfills. There, the air is toxic due to open-air waste burning. Those who handle all those metals daily without protection end up getting sick very early due to constant exposure to poisonous substances.

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

1 - Do not buy electronic equipment that we do not need

According to a study by Marketwatch, on average, users buy a new mobile phone after 15 months. Whether it's due to the desire to have the latest model, or because of damage where the repair costs almost the price of a new device. 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 frequently. 

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 thorough 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 a 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 is beyond "salvation", make sure that YOU DO NOT throw it in the regular trash. On the site http://www.ondereciclar.pt/ you can check the electronic waste collection points closest to you and ensure that your broken equipment will be properly recycled!