Colorado EPR Packaging Bill Sparks Controversy in the Industry
The world generated a total of 55.5 million metric tons of electronic waste in 2020, and an estimated 57.4 million metric tons in 2021. These numbers have increased in comparison to previous years and are only expected to grow. Since the start of the pandemic, the amount of technology used has increased exponentially due to the amount of people working from home, resulting in an overflow of e-waste that will eventually end up in landfills or incineration facilities. When electronics are left in landfills for too long, harmful chemicals can leak into the soil and contaminate drinking water in surrounding areas. In addition, these chemicals can also pollute the air near incineration facilities when burned. In order to reduce the amount of chemicals released into the environment, we first need to reduce the amount of e-waste we generate.
Reuse: One way to reduce the amount of e-waste is to reuse what you have. It may be tempting to upgrade your electronic devices each year, but using them until the end of their usable life cycle ensures that you are getting every penny’s worth out of the device. If you upgrade your device and your old device still has life left, consider passing it down to a sibling or relative, or donating it for reuse. Reusing old electronics prolongs the lifespan of the device and reduces the need for a brand new device, saving resources and money.
Repair: No matter how careful you are, whether it’s a spill or a drop, accidents happen. When a device is damaged in any way the primary response for many is to take it to the manufacturer, but this often results in paying more than you paid for the device, or having to replace the device altogether. Replacing devices is a common experience when turning to a large tech company for help. As an alternative, third party repair shops are just as capable of repairing electronics, more often than not at a lower price. This extends the life of the device as well, and reduces the need for a new device. Purchasing refurbished devices instead of brand new ones is also a great way to reduce the need for raw materials, and the amount of e-waste that will eventually be generated from old, retired devices.
Recycle: If all other options have been exhausted and the time comes for the device to be retired for good, recycling the metals in the device provides materials for manufacturers instead of wasting resources for more. IT asset disposition facilities such as HOBI International collect old, retired electronics and ensure that they are repurposed or recycled. HOBI is R2, RIOS, and ISO-14001 certified, with a focus on maximizing economic return and limiting potential environmental liability.
For more information about our ITAD services call 817-814-2620, or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.
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