What is E-Waste?
The term "e-waste" refers to any discarded products that have a battery, cord or plug. This can include computers, mobile phones, televisions, smart devices, electronic appliances, and many more.
According to CleanUp.org, e-waste is the fastest-growing component of the municipal solid waste stream. This is a problem exacerbated by built-in obsolescence and rapid advances in technology, and we are producing increasing amounts of e-waste every year.
Why Should E-Waste Be Recycled?
Up to 98% of electronic components can be recycled, including plastics, precious metals (such as gold, silver and platinum) and non-precious metals (such as copper). By recycling these metals, we could greatly reduce the amount of new materials that need to be mined every year.
What Happens To E-Waste That Isn't Recycled?
Unfortunately, nearly 90% of devices purchased in Australia each year end up in landfill. In some cases, even e-waste marked for recycling is simply sent offshore for processing - where excess waste may be incinerated in open fires.
This results in the burden of toxic elements (such as lead, cadmium and mercury) being passed on to third world countries without proper regulations in place to protect communities or the local environment.
What Can I Do?
We need to urgently re-assess our relationship with electronics, consumerism, and the e-waste it creates.
Think carefully before purchasing new devices - whether these are phones, computers, tv's, or other electronic goods.
- Is your existing item actually broken or worn out, or could it be repaired or upgraded instead?
- Will the new device offer a substantial increase in your quality of life, or could you hang onto your current tech for a bit longer?
- If your current device is still functioning but you must purchase something new, can you donate your old device to someone in need such as a charity, school, or community group?
- Are you purchasing from a brand who has a poor track record regarding planned obsolescence, or unethical and environmentally harmful manufacturing processes?
Most importantly, make sure that at the end of its usable life, your device is not simply thrown in the rubbish bin, but that you send it to the appropriate facility for e-waste recycling in your area.
Where Can I Recycle My E-Waste?
Most local councils now have an e-waste collection service, plus some private businesses offer e-waste drop-off points inside their stores.
Check out the links below for more information:
Further Reading
Australian Bureau of Statistics Waste Report
Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy, and Resources