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Tomorrow is Earth Day, and we’d like to celebrate by discussing the importance of keeping our planet clean and healthy, and some ways you can contribute every day. Recycling is often put on the back burner in favor of convenience. Many people see recycling bins everywhere, but instead of taking the time to sort through their trash, they choose to dump it all in a single bin. Recycling isn’t exactly an exciting topic, but technology is, and e-waste is extremely toxic to not just the environment, but human health as well.
The Earth is so vast that many don’t think of it as something that needs to be taken care of, but what if keeping the planet healthy also kept you healthy? Think about the electronics you use every day, and where they might end up if not properly disposed of. Electronic waste makes up 70 percent of the world’s toxic waste, and every year more devices are manufactured. More than half of the world’s population owns a smartphone, and most users do not know how to properly dispose of them, which leads to some being sent to landfills. Most landfills do not accept e-waste, which leaves larger quantities in those that do.
Electronics are made with precious metals like nickel, lead, lithium and mercury that contain harmful chemicals. When left sitting in landfills for too long these chemicals can soak into the groundwater and pollute the surrounding water supply, and eventually contaminate drinking water. Burning electronics releases these chemicals into the atmosphere and pollutes the air. Ingesting these chemicals through the water or breathing them in can cause serious health problems over time, often manifesting in symptoms similar to common illnesses, prolonging proper treatment. Recycling your electronics prevents them from being sent to landfills.
IT asset disposition facilities like HOBI collect retired electronics and ensure they are properly disposed of via recycling. ITAD enterprises provide many benefits to the environment and the economy including repair and refurbishment of devices that have not reached the end of their useful cycle, which provides used devices for purchase and decreases the demand for brand new devices. This preserves the precious metals used in manufacturing, and increases device value.
A common misconception is that our actions don’t matter in the long run, but through a combined effort we can each do our part in protecting the environment. Here are some things you can do every day, in addition to recycling your electronics, to help keep the Earth sustainable:
- Buy recycled paper, and print on both sides to reduce the amount used.
- Make recycling bins available in your home, office or school.
- Recycling empty ink and toner cartridges, and purchased remanufactured cartridges.
- Recycle old newspapers and magazines after you’re finished with them.
- Look for the recycled option when purchasing goods.
- If you use a plastic throw away coffee cup, reuse it instead of throwing it out.
- Buy rechargeable batteries.
For more information about our ITAD services call 817-814-2620, or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.
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