The rise in technology promotes opportunity and growth across countless industries, but it is not without its challenges. While half of the global population chases innovations and updated models, the rest of the world is left without any access to technology. This is forming a digital divide that is becoming increasingly challenging to overcome.
Another issue sparked by the rise in technology is the growing issue of e-waste; what to do with it, and how to minimise its impact on the environment. Before sharing some of the most sustainable solutions for e-waste recycling and disposal, we are looking at e-waste and its negative impact on the natural world.
What is e-waste?
E-waste refers to electronic waste devices that are either no longer fully functional or devices and electronic accessories that are of no use to the current owner.
The extraordinary rise in e-waste, particularly devices that are in good working order but are simply no longer used, is heavily influenced by the rise in regularly upgraded innovative tech models. Businesses in particular will update devices often which creates e-waste.
What matters most, however, is where that e-waste ends up.
How does e-waste impact the environment?
For many corporations and even private donors and consumers, devices that are no longer in use collect dust in storage. While this has no direct impact on the environment, the longer a device is left unused the less likely it is to work optimally sometime in the future. The device or electronic item will ultimately be discarded as e-waste.
When an electronic is thrown away as waste, it ends up in a landfill site. The device starts a process of disintegration, leaking chemicals and hazardous waste into the surrounding soils, waterways, and habitat. The damage to the environment, and subsequently the ecosystem as a whole, is devastating.
That is why Computer Aid's recycling programs are so important.
What is the most sustainable solution for e-waste?
Sustainable e-waste recycling is crucial. When you recycle an electronic product, you not only give that device a second life to someone who needs it, you save that item from being sent to landfill. Devices that are donated to an e-waste recycling organisation or facility get their device completely wiped off all data ensuring proper personal and professional data security. It is thereafter refurbished and sent to a community in need of this technology and online resources. These recipients are based locally or overseas. The donor receives a full impact report to help trace their donation which contributes towards the evidence of their CSR goals.
Even devices that cannot be reused effectively can still be broken down into a series of individual parts, preserving all the working components for future computer repair. The remaining waste is disposed of sustainably and safely.
How does Computer Aid make IT recycling easy for businesses in the UK?
Computer Aid is a leading partner that specialises in refurbishing, processing, and recycling electronic devices and e-waste for businesses globally and across the UK. We deliver computers where they are most needed and build solar community labs that support remote learning with the use of our connect device creating a local area network of digital educational resources.
Working with Computer Aid is an easy way to balance your reliance on technology with steps to minimise the environmental impact of unwanted devices.
Get in touch and find out more about a more sustainable approach to e-waste.