Manufacturing electronic devices require the usage of precious and scarce materials such as gold, copper, silver, aluminum, etc. In this day and age, where the average American household has more than 25 electronic devices, the effective management of e-waste is becoming a huge issue. To combat the ever-growing amount of e-waste, electronic recycling is crucial.
Corporate electronic recycling and waste management, in particular, is the need of the hour as companies buy electronics in bulk that they must demolish after usage. This is where the role of ITAD companies comes into play as they specialize in solar panel recycling, data destruction, lithium ion battery recycling, and much more.
According to the global e-waste monitor, around 54 million tonnes of electronic waste was discarded worldwide in 2019 alone. This figure has far surpassed the average amount of e-waste that is generated annually in the world (20 to 50 million tonnes). The need for reducing e-waste and manage it is evident and here are 7 tips to minimize and effectively manage your e-waste:
1. Rethink Before Buying
Before buying any electronic device, rethink if you really it. If any other device can do the multitasking, then there should be little need to hoard more electronic items in your house or office.
2. Extend The Life Cycle
Once you buy a device, you must take measures to take proper care of it. You must prevent the device from overcharging, clean it regularly, and get it repaired instead of replacing it with another device. Doing so will ensure that the generation of e-waste is minimized. Most people give in to the habit of switching to the latest mobiles and so on, however, this can lead to unnecessary e-waste.
3. Donate What You Don’t Need
If you have used outdated electronics, you can donate them to social programs and organizations to help the underprivileged sections of society. Donating electronics ensures that the devices stay in use and less e-waste gets created,
4. Install and Use E-Waste Bins
If you are a business owner, you must install e-waste recycling bins in your office area. Employees can throw away their used mobile phones, batteries, etc., in these bins instead of throwing them away along with decomposable trash.
5. Explore Local Recycling Options
Residents of the United States can use the EPA website to check out the local recycling options for e-waste. You can also share these resources with your family and community members and encourage them to dispose of their electronic waste ethically.
6. Switch To A Cloud
The procurement of hard drives and bulky disks is no longer necessary as tools such as Dropbox offer the facility to store data on a cloud. This cloud-based data is not only highly protected, but it also eliminates the need to purchase more items.
7. Spread Awareness
As a leader, you must organize seminars and conferences so that your teammates can learn more about electronic recycling and the hazards of dumping electronics in landfills. The more awareness you help create about the perils of toxic e-waste and how it can harm the environment, the more you can help the planet. Moreover, it can build a solid repute for your organization and more people will support your cause, products, services, etc.
The Bottom Line
If you are a business owner, you can benefit immensely from reaching out to an ITAD company that offers data destruction services. It can create a sustainable approach towards your business and create a positive brand image.