With digital waste fast becoming a major problem in many countries across the globe, we take a look at some of the ways you can do. your part to be a solution to digital waste.
Reduce
Good waste management starts with reducing the amount of raw materials in use, limiting the environmental damage that sourcing them can cause. Digital devices contain an array of rare earth minerals, essential to their operation, which are notably found in the batteries of smartphones and laptops. By reducing usage, lifespans can be prolonged. It’s therefore preferable to extend the lifespan of existing products rather than systematically replacing them with new ones. If you do have to buy a replacement, think about donating or selling old devices to ensure they have the longest possible lifespans.
Reuse
The second golden rule is to reuse products, either by passing on devices to others or by buying second-hand. Many outlets currently recondition high-tech devices, giving them a new lease of life. The advantage of a second-hand product is that it can have similar tech specs to a new device, with some new replacement parts where necessary, while selling at a lower price. All in all, refurbished products can be beneficial to consumers and to the environment.
Recycle
Finally, try to recycle electronic devices that reach the end of their life, recovering usable components to put back into production lines, rather than leaving them to clog up your home – or worse, the world’s rubbish dumps. Most major players in the high-tech world now play an active role in, or initiate their own mass recycling schemes. Apple and Orange, for example, have already committed to taking back old devices for recycling.
This article was published via AFP Relaxnews
