Electronic Waste and Sustainability

Electronic items – computers, entertainment devices, mobile phones, television sets, refrigerators etc are widely used today. Some of the items bring in great efficiencies in our day to day work like the computer or mobile phone; others like television and entertainment devices are a great facilitator of entertainment; and others like refrigerators and microwave oven are great tools in a house hold. Most of these items have become a necessity in today’s world. However, the increased usage of these items has also resulted in tremendous increase in the generation of electronic waste.

 

Electronic waste is broadly defined as “used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycle or disposal”. However, this is too broad a definition. There are several items like computer or a television which can be refurbished and used, similarly several components of the electronic items can be salvaged, recycled and reused in the production process. Yes, after all this – there are still items to be disposed.

 

Several manufacturers today are conscious of the fact that there is a tremendous amount of electronic waste being generated and they have put in place process to reduce this waste. Nokia for example encourages the user to return the old hand set to them so that they can recycle usable items and thereby reduce waste. Similarly Best buy has collection points, where consumers can return used electronic items – irrespective of whether the item was purchased at Best Buy. There are several other corporations with similar initiatives.

 

We, as responsible citizens have a role to play in reducing electronic waste.

1. Do not buy a new product unless essential
2. Defer the purchase as far as feasible
3. Donate the used product or resell to another user
4. Do not discard the item in the trash bin; instead return it to the seller or organization which will recycle it.

-Rahul