eWaste, Why Is It Important?

Have you ever wondered what happens to all of those electronic devices that nobody wants anymore and get thrown in the trash? Or have you taken a look through your own house and felt the need to purge yourself of old, unused technology that is sitting around collecting dust? It might surprise you to know that these old broken devices you may think are of no use anymore can be recycled and turned into new cell phones, tablets, and laptops while helping the environment. There is a term for discarded technology that makes it into landfills, eWaste.

What is eWaste?

eWaste is the term used for digital equipment that is broken or unwanted that has been thrown in the garbage or donated to charity. These items usually end up in landfill where the toxic chemicals in the metals inside cause a dangerous environmental problem when buried. eWaste has become a major problem because of the volume of electronics people use today.

Why is eWaste important?

It is important to understand the problems caused by eWaste so we can reduce the effects in the future.

eWaste leeches toxic chemicals

The electronics we use can seem harmless when they are in our homes, or forgotten in a drawer, but once they hit a landfill and get buried under other garbage, the chemicals in the metals start to leech into the ground. These chemicals are toxic and get absorbed into the groundwater surrounding the landfill.

eWaste can contaminate groundwater

The problem we are facing today is the volume of electronics that get thrown out on a daily basis has reached such epic proportions that the leeching is starting to enter into the groundwater some communities need for drinking. This also affects the wildlife in the area who have no other water supply other than the groundwater that may now be toxic.

eWaste is wasteful

eWaste contains valuable components that can easily be recycled and used in new electronics. Precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum can be found in many electronic devices as well as aluminum, copper, glass and plastic. These materials can easily be recycled and used in new products. It is very wasteful to let these valuable metals go to waste and decay in a toxic mess in a landfill when there is a good chance that 100% of them can be recycled successfully.

Recycling eWaste reduces demand for new raw materials

When the valuable metals and other materials are extracted from eWaste and used in new products, it reduces the need for new raw materials and our precious natural resources can be preserved and not squandered.

Recycling materials will reduce the carbon footprint

Mining, manufacturing and processing raw materials create a lot of greenhouse gas emissions that can be reduced by recycling eWaste properly. When you have recycled materials on hand that are ready to be used, this creates less of a demand for new material.

Ways to reduce eWaste

There are several responsible ways to declutter your home from the old electronic devices you no longer want or use. When you follow these guidelines there is a much smaller chance your old electronics will end up leeching in your local landfill.

Sell your eWaste to a responsible company

Websites will buy your old device and recycle it responsibly and in a way that doesn’t add to the leeching of toxic chemicals into the groundwater. Companies like Gizmogo will send you a shipping slip so you can send your item to them for free.

Other benefits of using a site like Gizmogo to sell your old electronics:

  • Your devices will be assessed by professionals and they will offer cash in return at fair market value.
  • Gizmogo will wipe your device clean of any personal data so you don’t need to worry about identity theft.
  • When you accept the offer from Gizmogo, you can receive your money by transfer in as little as one day.
  • Gizmogo will recycle your devices in a way that is safe for the environment and doesn’t contribute to contaminated groundwater.

Donate your eWaste to organizations that turn them into new products

If you go online, you will be able to find some companies that will take donated electronic devices and rebuild them into useful items that are given to people who would not otherwise be able to afford them. When you research these companies just make sure they have strict policies about the recycling of electronics so your old iPhone doesn’t end up in a landfill somewhere.

When it comes to old electronics, recycling them is the best option for you and the environment. When you sell them to companies like GIzmogo, you can feel confident that these devices are being recycled properly and the extra cash you can get for them doesn’t hurt either.