6 Interesting Facts About Electronic Waste

In the digital world of the contemporary era, the usage of electronic devices and gadgets has skyrocketed. More and more people are buying devices just to upgrade to the latest version with the best features possible. While there is nothing unethical about striving to stay updated with modern technology, it does become a matter of serious concern when people dump their used electronic items in the garbage along with the rest of the trash. Well, the goal of the younger generations who will be the leaders of tomorrow should be to enlighten their communities about the importance of national electronic recycling.

Gone are the days when data was secured in catalogs, manuals, and journals. Nowadays, all the data exists in either a digital cloud or a personal computer or smartphone which is why the data destruction services that ITAD companies offer have become the need of the hour. When IT assets are managed and discarded ethically by electronic waste recycling services, it can protect organizations and business owners from huge commercial losses.

Due to hectic lifestyles, it can be somewhat of a hassle to take one’s e-waste to a recycling center. However, if one considers the larger picture, the climate crisis, and the environmental issues, then that adds as an incentive to live life more sustainably and intelligently. Having said that, here are some of the most interesting facts about e-waste that can shine a light on just how important, being responsible for our e-waste has become:

1. E-Waste Contains Precious Elements

First of all, there is more to many electronic products and gadgets than meets the eye. Many electronics contain precious materials like gold, silver, and copper which are essential for the devices to function. Hence, by recycling e-waste, these rare materials can be put back on the market and their value can be retrieved and their life-cycle extended.

2. Less Than 25% of E-Waste Gets Recycled

It is quite surprising that less than a quarter of the total e-waste produced actually gets recycled. That’s true – only 15 to 20% of the total e-waste actually gets recycled. The rest of it just ends up in landfills or gets burned and incinerated. If materials like gold, silver, copper, etc. are recycled, they can be used to make jewelry or batteries at lesser costs.

3. Electronics Recycling Creates Employment

The electronics recycling industry has immense scope for the generation of new employment opportunities. People with diverse skills and educational backgrounds can find employment in the recycling and ITAD industry. The job roles include drivers, technicians, maintenance workers, managers, customer representatives, sorters, and so on. E-waste recycling is a boon for the human race as it can enable many people to earn a living.

4. Consequences of Exposure to E-Waste

E-waste contains toxic chemicals like lead and mercury which are harmful to the safety of all organisms. Exposure to lead can lead to serious problems like cognitive impairments, paralysis, and coma. Various chronic conditions that last a lifetime can also develop due to contact with e-waste which is why managing it cautiously is so necessary.

5. There Are More Mobiles Than People

Nowadays, every person, including teenagers owns a cell phone. You would be surprised to learn that there are more mobile phones on the planet than there are human beings. That’s right – There are at least 7.2 billion humans in the world and there are more than 7.2 billion mobile phones.

6. World’s Largest E-Waste Producer

Last but not the least, the largest producer of e-waste in the world is the United States of America. The USA has been known to produce more than 10 million tonnes of e-waste on an annual basis.

On a Final Note

The growing amount of e-waste is a serious problem that can be combated by spreading education and awareness about environmental conservation. ITAD companies go a long way in ensuring that e-waste is managed ethically and not dumped in an underdeveloped country where it poses threat to the health and safety of laborers. In a nutshell, every person needs to take accountability for how they manage e-waste. Little steps like reusing and sticking to one device for as long as possible can reduce the heavy load on the possibility of fossil fuels’ exhaustion.