E-waste Matters in Earth Day Topics

Green leaves on a stem sprouting from a computer keyboard with blurred monitor and houseplant in the backgroundI recently read a 2022 report that shared,

31% of consumers throw away old electronics with their household garbage or mix them with recyclables like metal and plastic.

Because we are in the business of properly disposing of electronics, that surprises us. We assume that everyone knows that you don’t do that. Most households have more than 20 electronics that they will replace in the next 3 to 5 years. We are a country where we want the latest model that does the newest thing, which adds up to a lot of E-waste to dispose (of). 

For businesses, it’s more than just the harm it does to our earth, but for today’s blog, we will focus there. We hope that each person reading this will share it with another person. That is where real grassroots change begins. And if you are a business, we hope your change starts by partnering with us. 

The impact of E-waste on our earth can be scary.
It’s known to release toxic chemicals into the air, leak toxic chemicals into groundwater, and create the type of air pollution that can damage the atmosphere. When the atmosphere changes the effects can be profound and permanent.

But perhaps one of the most heart-hitting issues with E-waste is that it can end up in developing countries where it impacts the children. For example, Basel Action Network claims that in Ghana, primarily orphans – anywhere from 12 to 20 years old – work in slums burning discarded electronics that release toxic fumes into the air. It’s a similar story in Nigeria and China. Children are breathing in the fumes, and contaminants have been found in both soil and drinking water samples. Our E-waste is another country’s poison.

We have responsibilities as businesses and people. With work at home situations, this is becoming even more difficult to track as some companies are putting onerous back on the employees to dispose of their E-waste. Companies have to take a stand and do this correctly. Besides the issue of data security, working with the right partner ensures that you know how your waste is being handled.

So what can you do?

For businesses, make an appointment with Reclamere or another accredited organization to set up proper and secure disposal of your electronics. If you are an individual, talk to your local recycling companies and find out about their E-waste programs. It’s essential to ask the right questions; they aren’t the right vendor to use if they can’t answer the tough questions. 

The 2022 Earth Day website states,
to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for and accountable. A partnership for the planet.

We only get one earth. At Reclamere, we’re in. Are you?

 

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