E-waste is Fastest Growing Waste Stream Globally – How Can We Control It?

E-waste describes those electronics and electrical gear that no longer work, that are nearing the end of their useful life, or that are no longer wanted. We all know that with technology advancing at such a pace we like to replace our devices with the latest model even though the old one may still be fully functional. This is the basic problem of how e-waste is growing at such a pace. Electronics are replaced all the time with new ones that may have undergone a few upgrades because everyone wants to own the new improved version. New technology allows manufacturers to add new products to their range regularly, and consumers have great difficulty in resisting them as it is human nature to always want the latest device with the most advanced apps. 

Not only is the lifecycle of an electronic device reducing each year, repairing a broken device is often more expensive than replacing it with a new one making it difficult to keep it in use.

There are a few questions to ponder to realise that we all contribute to the rise in the amount of e-waste that is generated. Are you the first in line to purchase the latest cell phone when it is released? Have you gone through a number of computers in your home and work life? Do you regularly update your large home appliances? The answer has to be yes to all of these questions because the research is showing that sales of these items are growing at a fast rate. The other question to ask ourselves is what happens to all of these obsolete, outdated, or broken electronics when they are replaced?

The Effects of E-waste on our Environment

Many of us don’t realise that the components used to manufacture our electronic equipment are toxic to the environment when they break down. Some of these components are dangerous heavy metals such as dioxins, mercury, cadmium, and others which are dangerous to both humans and animals. 

Traces of these toxic chemicals leach into the groundwater which affects the surrounding soil which can find their way into our food chain and affects any wildlife that lives in the vicinity.

The water will eventually find its way into the ocean where it poisons marine life as well.

These toxic chemicals find their way into the atmosphere as fumes and cause more damage. 

This is why it is essential that e-waste is kept out of our landfills and that we deal with it in other ways.

How To Solve the E-waste Problem

• Recycling is a proven way of keeping these items out of our landfills. In York County we are lucky to be able to recycle our electronics for free, but they may not be mixed up with any other load of waste. Items such as computers and televisions may not be added to your household waste, so take advantage of the recycling policy.
  If your items are not accepted by the County or if you have a business that needs to dispose of any of these items, please contact Little Green Junk. As a private professional removal company we will collect and dispose of any of these items in a responsible manner.
• Reusing the devices is another way of disposing of them. If any of your unwanted devices are in working order please consider donating them to a local charity, care home, or thrift shop. While you may have replaced it with the latest model, your old device could change someone’s life for the better.
• Recovery of the metals used in the manufacture of these devices is another way of making sure that your old devices do not end up in the landfill. Metals used are very valuable, and include silver, gold, palladium, copper, and aluminium. All of these metals can be recycled and reused to make new products. Not only is the recovery of these metals a much greener process than mining for new ones, but you will help save the environment by ensuring that fewer raw materials have to be mined and processed.
• Reducing or limiting the purchase of new upgrades when they become available is another way of managing our e-waste, although this is a difficult call as we want to be first with the new one.
• Repairing these items when they break is also a possibility, so it is worth making the effort to find the parts, especially if it is a simple repair. As we said earlier, unfortunately it is often more expensive to repair than to replace, so more often than not, the old device is simply disposed of.

Why Choose Little Green Junk Company to Dispose of Your E-waste?

We at Little Green Junk York PA are your local licensed trash removal company committed to looking after the health of our environment while we remove all types of trash. Our promise to you is that we will dispose of not only your e-waste, but any of your household trash responsibly. We recycle as much of the trash we collect as possible, otherwise we dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way. We only use the landfill as a last resort. 

We care about our environment as much as you do, and our aim is to keep it as pollution free as possible. 

When you need to dispose of any waste please contact us for a free, no obligation quote. Our pick-up times are flexible, and we will fit into your schedule. If you need after hours pickup or if you are only available over the weekend for the removal of your trash, we are able to assist you. In certain circumstances we even offer same day waste removal.

We realise the dangers that e-waste poses to our environment if it is disposed of irresponsibly, and we are committed to keeping our environment safe for future generations.  

Call us at the following number: 717 467 0070. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Email: inquiries@littlegreenjunk.com

www.littlegreenjunk.com