The amount of electric waste worldwide reached 444.7 million tons last year. This means 4,500 Eiffel Towers or 9 Pyramids of Giza. These numbers are unbelievable, and the game turns worst since only 20% of the e-waste produced is recycled. In the least developed countries such as Cambodia, the big mountains of old equipment are growing higher, polluting the environment with toxic materials.

The E-waste problem starts at the moment we buy electronic equipment. Once an individual decides to upgrade their device, there is a leftover device that if not handled properly, can become E-waste. There are different options to solve this problem.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle

When it comes to getting rid of electronics, the question is always the same: what should I do with my old equipment? Reusing still-functional devices is the best way to decrease the impact of e-waste. Recycling is also a great option if you are getting rid of non-functional devices. Electronic waste includes more than laptops, cell phones or videogames. In your home, you own a million products that will end their useful lives as e-waste, such as lamps, batteries, microwaves, etc.

Manufacturing electronics involves an impressive number of materials and energy, so your best choice is to keep your devices as long as possible if you are looking to contribute to the environment. If you want to replace your old equipment, it will be right for you to know that electronics are composed of toxic materials that require to be recycled.

Across our country, many ITAD companies are collecting unwanted IT equipment. Under established laws and certificates, each device will be refurbished and distributed back to the public for free or at a lower cost. Stay aware that no recycling process has a 100 percent recovery, even the best ones, but the importance of recycling remains on how helpful this could be to the environment.