Let’s not e-waste any more time ignoring the issue
We are probably all guilty of throwing away a battery or two in our lifetime in the general litter bin. I know I am. But let’s have a social experiment. After you read this article, I promise you, I will do my best to make you think twice before you do it again.
Statistically, e-waste is considered the one of the most increasingly growing wastes. We live in a world where we over-consume electronics and depend on them, making it easy to discard old ones and continue buying new ones. And even though chargeable electronics are rising, batteries still are needed for every day appliances, and they don’t last as long as we want them to, so what do we do? We throw them away…without thinking much.
Why is this bad?
In addition to containing toxic and hazardous materials like lead mercury, beryllium and chemical flame retardants, e-waste is often times comprised of materials that our planet is scarce of. Essentially, we are exposing to danger our population and depriving it of valuable materials that could be recycled and reused for our own collective good.
And what can we do?
The past few months, I have spent writing articles about fascinating individuals, but it’s time to mention a company that changes the way we tackle e-waste and the person behind it — Enviroserve and Waleed Esbaitah.
Enviroserve are one of the largest electronics recyclers and processors in the world and a trusted name in the industry, providing the following service departments:
- Electronic Waste Recycling
- IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) & Refurbishment
- Brand Protection (Special Waste)
- Refrigerant Gas Recycling
It is no secret that according to the United Nations, more than 90% of e-waste is illegally disposed of, which is a gigantic environmental hazard.
“Recycling e-waste works in a circular pattern, ensuring that the resources we use are returned in a new way.”
Enviroserve combat that through educating on the importance of reducing our e-waste in general, but also disposing of it correctly and safely, so we can live in a non-toxic world that is not depleted of non-renewable materials used to create all the new important technology we requite equally.
“Enviroserve has installed the first electronic waste bin in The Scientific Center, and will continue to add bins to local co-ops and other frequented establishments. Everything from televisions to computers & cell phones, game consoles, microwaves, dishwashers, and wires are typically accepted. If everyone disposed their old electronics properly, we will be saving tons of energy each year, resulting in a healthier planet, all-the-while creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and improving our circular economy.” — says Waleed Esbaitah, Managing Partner at Enviroserve
It’s important to know how to dispose of our e-waste, even if we have not done it before, because one battery can be the change that is needed, one recycled laptop can be the butterfly effect starter — a small action, towards a big goal.
Of course, focusing on reducing the amount of electronics you buy is important as well. We shop the new, the noteworthy. But our honest advise is to try to get something secondhand once in awhile, perhaps repair what is old. And when that fails, know that there are companies like Enviroserve that help the planet through keeping it up to date, but also toxic-free. They have an easy to use website with a form you can fill in and arrange the collection of your items, it’s hassle-free and rewarding!
It’s tempting to just throw away something electronic because it’s easy. But please, next time you think about it, consider this:
What if the workers were your friends and family?
What if the water gets further polluted?
How about the soil — what might happen to it?
And am I putting the surrounding community at risk?
Convenience isn’t the matter of subject anymore, responsibility is. And we owe it to us and our Planet to do better.
