Top 8 Tips: How To Recycle E-waste The Safe Way

E-waste is an issue that is quite commonly heard these days, but does everyone have clarity of what exactly is the reason it is such a huge concern? Let us have a look. It is doubtful that anyone today does not own an electronic device in one way or the other. A simple watch or the latest tech gadget, everyone owns at least one. And just like any other possession one owns, the device at one point of time runs through its lifespan and needs to be disposed of, and this is what becomes e-waste. Before discussing the long and short of recycling electronic waste, how to do it, and management options available, let us look at what exactly is it. 

What Is E-waste?

Electronic waste, usually known as e-waste, is a scrap produced from deleted electronic devices to put in layman terms. To be more specific, no electronic items that are no longer useful or irreplaceable can be defined as such. 

Dispose Or Recycle – What To Do?

Not sure whether to select disposal or select recycling? 

Depending on the type of waste, you can either select disposal or recycling. For example, if you have an old iPhone that is still working, you can choose recycling. You can think of reusing the mobile phone instead of buying a new one. On the other hand, if you want to get rid of your old electronic devices, you can choose waste disposal. 

 Here are some valuable tips to guide you through the process of disposing and recycling: 

1. Taking electronic items to the waste and recycling center 

Finding an e-waste recycling center in your area can be a great way to recycle. It can be stored in the garbage and sent to the recycling center. 

If you are looking for local e-waste recycling and settlement centers, then we are the right choice for you. GreenTek Reman provides e-waste disposal and recycling, e-waste collection services from premises & previously placed collection bins, and more.  

2. Send back electronic items 

There is an exchange policy in many electronic companies to send all your obsolete electronic gadgets and buy a new one. Sometimes, they also give a discount when purchasing a new item. 

Apart from this, some companies also provide recycling services, including drop-off points where you can leave old phones or tablets or old electronic items, which are then collected for recycling. 

3. Old electronics – donate or sell? 

Removing or selling obsolete electronic devices are two great e-waste disposal techniques adapted to manage any e-waste wisely. 

You can sell them on a popular site like eBay. You will also find that many local electronic shops are ready to buy your old electronic goods. 

 
Donating your old electronic devices to others, such as the students in need or non-governmental organizations, can be another good idea. But you have to be very careful while doing so because your electronics might have some data not meant to be shared.  

4. Use cloud services to store data 

Cloud Services is a great way to store all your important data online. It is a convenient option because you do not need to move the storage device at all times. 

The main advantage of using the cloud service is that you can reach your data from anywhere worldwide. Cloud storage reduces the need for building new storage devices, resulting in less environmental impact because it helps indirectly minimize carbon footprints and reduce e-waste. 

5. Rent electronic items instead of shopping 

A good idea of reducing your e-waste is to rent it, primarily if you do not use specific electronic items regularly. 

For example, suppose you need a video projector for your business. Rather than buying it, you might want to consider renting it, especially if you do not regularly use it. If you are looking for a cost-effective and friendly option for the environment, then renting electronics can be your best choice because you only have to pay for a period of use, and you do not have to buy a new device. 

6. Manage your device properly 

Sometimes you might end up spending money on duplicate electronics, so managing your device is a good idea.  

 7. Say no to landfill 

In the last few years, the landfill process has become one of the most popular waste disposal methods. However, being a popular method does not equate to being the best solution. 

The main reason is that there are many poisonous chemicals such as mercury and lead in e-waste, which are harmful to the environment and humans. The landfill method releases these toxic chemicals into the environment, adversely affecting the environment and triggers serious health problems. 

8. Reduce unnecessary electronic gadget shopping 

Technology is developing, resulting in people’s daily life without buying new electronic devices incomplete. The consequence? More and more e-waste production every year. 

Take note of these consequences when buying a new electronic item. Make sure that the product you purchase is practical and durable. In doing so, you can avoid buying unnecessary electronic items. 

Why Should You Take Care Of Your E-waste?

Studies predict that the amount of e-waste production will increase by 2021 to 52.2 million metric tons. It will be a significant threat to the environment and human health. This increasing amount is full of toxic substances, which pollute our air, water, and soil. The hazardous substances found in electronic waste are harmful to the environment along with life. For example, when the lead leaks in the atmosphere, it can damage the peripheral nervous system to the human blood and kidney. 

Therefore, proper disposal and recycling are essential to protect our environment from pollution and protect our health. 

 Knowing these disposal and recycling methods can help every person reduce e-waste. Although it is not an issue to be resolved in a single day, people, and more importantly companies, should be aware of its disastrous consequences. These approaches will help you manage your e-waste efficiently. 

GreenTek Reman is one of the leading IT Asset Disposition & e-waste Management companies in India. With a decade worth of experience in the Reuse, Recycling, and Recovery of precious resources from electronic waste, we provide IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), Data Sanitization, Precious Metal Recovery (PMR), Solar Panel Recycling (SPR), and Product & Equipment Destruction (PED) services to our customers across the country.