E-waste or also known as electronic waste is left behind devices or even parts from devices. Such as smartphones, mobile phones, laptops, computers, accessories, and so on. All of these devices once used and then given up by the user are a complete waste sometimes as the users do not resell them or use them. These devices are just left behind in the environment causing it home. As a result, all of these devices are known as e-waste. While in a few years there have been debates about handling and managing e-waste. How it is becoming more of a task and a problem to be resolved. As the amount of e-waste, every year or even every day produced is just rising and increasing day by day. Which is going to be a bigger problem in the near future. To understand the concept first we must know what is e-waste in detail.
What is e-waste?
E-waste refers to electronic waste and this waste can be coming from any of the electronic devices in your household or anywhere present in the world. Basically, most of the e-waste comes from the regular use of devices that is mobile phones, television sets, laptops, computers, DVD sets, types of machinery and equipment, and so on. All of these devices were once used. Thrown away and no longer in use come under the category of e-waste as they are no longer to be used by anyone.
Why is it a problem today?
Back in the day, it was hardly seen that anyone has a mobile phone in their hands. But with the growing technology, everyone needs a mobile phone today. Even the kids or old people irrespective of any age barrier the mobile phone has become a daily basic need. This need that has been arising in a few years has increased the problem of e-waste management. E-waste has become a big problem today as with the growing industry of electronics and devices the e-waste has been only increasing every year. According to the research of many verified sources, e-waste has increased up to 60% from 2010 to 2020. Which is really not good if continued in the same way for a longer time.
Another reason that has been a topic of debate in relation to e-waste is planned obsolescence.
Planned obsolescence is nothing new as it has also be seen back in the 90s. Planned obsolescence simply means that the devices are made to work only for a few years or let’s say the lifespan of the device is degraded in this process. Haven’t we noticed that the Mobile phones back in the days lasted for years and years working fine but some of the smartphones today start giving problems in a few months or years?
The correlation between recycling and E-waste
Most of the e-waste ends up in landfills and eventually, it enters the soil. These waste items include harmful materials like mercury, lead, and other harmful materials which after entering the groundwater which reach out to the plants. This harmful soil that is under the plants will eventually reach out to the animals and humans which can cause hazardous health problems. Even burning this e-waste can release out smoke that is harmful to human health as it causes pollution and can also cause health-related problems like cancer.
While we talk about recycling as it is score related to e-waste and is the easiest way to get out of it is still a problem.
As recycling is high-cost and with limited technology today researchers have a hard time deciding or rely on it completely.
How can you reduce the e-waste?
Reducing e-waste:
Mobile phone is one of the important parts of our daily life, no one can deny it but we can. We have control over our desire of getting attracted to any new mobile phone that is launched each day. Making sure that we are using the current device to its full potential must be the aim. And switch to the new ones must not be on the list.
Repair and upgrade:
even if there is some problem with your mobile phone rather than throwing it away you must try to repair it. And upgrade to the best version of it. Or you can sell your old mobile phone or exchange it.
Reuse:
Reusing the use of mobile phones is the best possible way to make use of the device. There are many refurbished mobile phones available in the market today. Areas almost as a new mobile phone with the original packaging.
