The reality: we live in a society where we actively change and discard our old electronics on a regular basis. Whether it is the latest smartphone every few years or upgrading your old laptop, computer and ICT equipment for a new one, we are all actively producing a lot of unwanted and obsolete electronic devices if not properly treated would become waste.
Do you know, where do these electronics go when they are no longer wanted? In some under development cities, lots of unwanted electronic devices are end up in a landfill, which may cause chemicals leaks into the ground where it lies. Some of them are even burnt, and results in toxic ash settling in the local rivers contaminating drinking water.
Your local problems might not be so bad yet, however, with more and more of those unwanted electronic devices being discarded every day, it is only a matter of time. This is why the management of them is so important, the only question is, should they be upcycling or recycling?
The importance of Upcycle?
When we talk about handling unwanted electronic devices in an environmentally friendly and safe manner, the only option was to recycle the material. However, as the rising volume of material year-over-year and the problem of questionable recycling practices, recycling has become more of a secondary option.
When an electronic device is recycled inappropriately, it poses a serious risk to both the planet and its inhabitants. For example, when an electronic device is improperly recycled, there is a chance that potentially toxic substances like mercury, lead oxide, cadmium, nickel, and antimony. These substances can easily poison our local living environment and can even end up releasing undesirable gases into the atmosphere.
This is why, rather than recycling, we should be looking into the handling of unwanted electronic devices through upcycling.
Types of unwanted electronic devices that could be upcycled
Common examples of this include:
- Smartphones and smartwatches
- Laptops
- Computers
- Servers
- TVs and monitors
- Workstations
If you are looking for a company to help you handle your unwanted electronic devices, whether that is for large commercial companies or small businesses, it is imperative that you choose the right partner. That way you know they are being handled according to industry guidelines.
