SO, what can you do?
The issue of e-waste is heavy. There are a lot of environmental and social concerns surrounding various aspects of e-waste. But, there are solutions — not just at larger governmental levels, but also at individual consumer levels as well.
Below are outlined six solutions that you, dear reader, can take to mitigate your own personal contribution to e-waste. It is important that each individual consumer takes responsibility for their waste. If everyone works to minimize their e-waste footprint, overtime we can address at least a small part of the e-waste issue.
here are some solutions that you, yes you, can implement:
1.
Purchase intentionally
Buy from companies that follow sustainable practices. It's important to pay attention to where the companies you buy from source, manufacture, package, and ship your products.
Do your research. Pay attention to the lifespan of the products you invest in. Try to invest in products that have longer lifespans.
2.
Extend the life of your current electronics
Make sure that you are updating your device regularly.
Follow guidelines on how to extend battery life. Don’t leave your device plugged in overnight as that can damage the battery.
Instead of buying a new device, can any damages first be repaired to extend the life of your current product?
3.
Reuse and repurpose devices
Do you want the fancy new iPhone and you've got to have it? If so, can you pass your old phone on to a sibling?
You can turn old devices into a digital scrapbook for photos.
Old smartphones or tablets can also be repurposed as home security cameras, or baby monitoring devices.
4.
Donate electronics
Goodwill and the Salvation Army will take donations of electronic devices.
Your local area will have its own protocols for where electronic donations can be placed.
5.
recycle electronics
You can use the Apple trade in program to recycle your old devices, instead of throwing them away.
Earth911 contains a comprehensive list of electronic recycling centers.
6.
Educate yourself and others!
Congrats! You've already taken the first step to combatting e-waste by educating yourself through this website on various aspects of the subject.
Now, take that knowledge and share it with others so that they too can take steps to mitigate their own e-waste production.
Media from Wix