The world generates technology waste, and a very little percentage of this is officially documented as properly collected and recycled. This indicates that recycling activities aren’t keeping pace with the global growth of e-waste! What is E-Waste? Let’s see!

What is E-Waste? Another waste problem

Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is all equipment that requires electrical current or electromagnetic fields to function properly, and the equipment necessary to generate, transmit and measure such currents and fields, and which is intended for use with a nominal voltage not exceeding 1,000 V in alternating current and 1,500 V in direct current.

So, what is E-Waste? It’s all electrical and electronic equipment that becomes waste: all components, sub-assemblies, and consumables that are part of the electrical or electronic product at the time it’s discarded.

The problem of technological waste

These devices contain hazardous substances, and precious metals, such as cadmium, mercury, lead, arsenic, phosphorus, hazardous oils and gasses that deplete the ozone layer or affect global warming.

So, it’s very harmful to human health and the environment. The equipment and its toxic materials aren’t properly managed and treated.

Classification and types of E-Waste

Temperature exchange appliances

Refrigerators, freezers, appliances that automatically deliver cold products, air conditioners, dehumidification equipment, heat pumps, oil radiators and other temperature exchange appliances using fluids other than water.

Monitors and screens

Screens, televisions, digital photo frames with LCD technology, monitors, and portable computers, including notebook computers.

Lamps

Straight fluorescent lamps, cathode ray tubes, compact fluorescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps including pressure sodium lamps and metal halide lamps, low-pressure sodium lamps, and LED lamps.

Large appliances (>50cm)

This includes large appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, etc.

Small appliances (<50cm)

This includes small appliances such as hoovers, sewing machines, ventilation equipment, irons, toasters, etc.

Small it and telecommunication equipment with hazardous components

Mobile phones, GPS, pocket calculators, personal computers, telephones, printer and toner cartridges with electrical parts.

Reasons to recycle E-waste

It prevents toxic hazards

E-waste contains hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium that can contaminate the environment if not disposed of responsibly.

When e-waste is eliminated, these hazardous and toxic chemicals can leach into the soil and waterways, eventually poisoning communities and the environment.

These toxic substances can cause problems even in small amounts, but the situation becomes much more serious when you consider that millions of e-wastes are sent to landfills!

Recycling processes can remove mercury and other hazardous substances from e-waste so that they don’t end up in landfills and contaminate the earth.

It allows us to reuse materials

E-waste is full of valuable metals and materials that could be used to make your next smartphone or tablet.

Tin, nickel, zinc, aluminium, copper, silver, gold, and plastic can all be recovered from e-waste when it’s recycled. However, many of these non-renewable resources can never be used again if they are thrown into household waste and end up in a landfill.

Recycling e-waste means saving these finite materials from being scrapped and reusing them in new products, reducing our dependence on new materials.

It’s good for the environment

Being responsible for protecting the environment should be our must, and one of the easiest ways to do this is to minimize the amount of e-waste that ends up in a landfill.

Recycling e-waste is easy

Recycling e-waste is easy – just visit RecyclingNearYou to find your nearest collection point where you can drop off your old electronic equipment!

Is it clear what is e-waste? Now start participating in the change!