What is the most frequent time you buy an electronic device like a smartphone or TV? Smartphone sales have already been estimated to be 1.535 billion units around the world every year. That means 1.535 billion smartphones need to be removed, and many of them won’t be taken care of properly.
While receiving little attention from the public, The world is currently in the midst of a significant issue in the form of “e-waste.” The main point is that many people toss away their old electronics and cause serious environmental harm. Oddly, the problem of e-waste opens up new markets, and businesses are now stepping into the equation to solve the issue.
The e-Waste Problem
According to specific estimates, we generate around 50 million tonnes of electronic waste every year. This waste can be found in various forms, including 31 percent produced by tiny electronics like microwaves, shavers, and cameras. About 28 percent is generated by big electronics like refrigerators and washing machines. Smartphones, smart devices and computers, televisions, lamps, and other gadgets, make up the remaining.
The precise composition of an electronic device is determined by the nature of the device and its level of advancement. But, the majority of modern high-tech devices need several different components to function correctly. A lot of these components can be harmful.
When e-waste gets buried in landfills, chemicals could leach into the soil and contaminate local communities’ water supply. This could affect the health of nearby communities and could cause environmental disasters. In rarer, more severe instances, e-waste can be burnt. The process releases toxic chemical compounds into the air that is then breathed in by the population living there.
The scale of our electronic waste issue is further aggravated since our technology consumption is vast and continuously growing. Electronic devices are being purchased at rapid rates, especially in developing countries, and our waste disposal strategy has not yet evolved to cope with the increased demand.
Market Opportunities: A Win-Win Solution?
Entrepreneurial innovators have recognized this as not only an issue but also it’s an opportunity. There is a way to reduce the problem of e-waste and encourage owners of electronic devices to make better choices and earn profits at the same time.
This is the strategy that companies like Gizmodo use, such as Gizmodo. Instead of throwing away your old tablet, phone or game console, or another device, it is possible to sell them. It doesn’t matter what condition the device is in. it may be brand new, broken or completely damaged, or even in between. The offer you receive will be for the device based on the internal components and its current state. If you decide to accept the offer, you’ll be able to exchange the device in exchange for cash.
This is vital as a large portion of our problem with e-waste is directly linked to apathy among consumers.
The act of throwing a phone into the garbage and bringing it to a reputable recycling facility will require roughly similar amounts of work and give about the same amount of reward. Many times the decision is more convenient to throw away the phone.
Today, with cash on hand, it is a good idea to recycle your mobile correctly. If just a small portion of the population took this approach, the participation of these consumers could significantly decrease the amount of electronic waste generated each year.
Tech Companies and Sustainability
Tech giants are taking action to tackle the growing issue of e-waste.
For instance, Apple now has trade-in and recycling programs across a variety of countries. Instead of throwing away your old gadget and wasting your money, you can sell it for credit towards your next purchase, or you can purchase an Apple gift card, and Apple will recycle it at no cost.
Microsoft also has started to work with recycling and collection programs all over the globe to help facilitate the management of electronic devices’ end-of-life battery packs and packaging materials.
3 Innovative, Entrepreneurial Steps You Can Take
Are you an entrepreneur? There are three actions you could do to reduce the problem of electronic waste — and you don’t need to begin an enterprise to recycle electronics to make a difference. Also, you don’t need to re-create the extensive efforts that major brands like Apple or Microsoft have supported to increase awareness and improve recycling programs’ accessibility.
However, anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit can commit to three fundamental goals:
1. Reduce
You likely purchase more gadgets than you need. There’s a chance that you’ll need to update more often than is necessary. The primary step is to address the issue at the root. Reduce the frequency of new purchases in technology, and also consider purchasing used devices when you can.
2. Repair
Please don’t throw away your device because it’s no longer functioning well. Instead, attempt to repair the machine, replacing damaged screen glass and other required components to ensure it’s functional for longer.
3. Recycle
If your devices are nearing an endpoint in their usefulness and you’re able to recycle them, don’t just toss them in the garbage. If you are in a leadership cader, you can model this attitude for your coworkers and employees. You could consider adding an electronic recycling container to your workplace.
