E-Waste
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12 E-Waste Facts The Planet Needs You To Know
Did you know that every year, millions of metric tons of electronic waste is disposed of worldwide, with only a very small percentage of it being recycled properly? We’re here to help you discover the e-waste facts that the planet needs you to know and why it’s important that we all practise proper waste management. … Continued
The Importance of Recycling e-Waste for the Environment
Electronic waste – or e-waste – is more prevalent now than ever, especially in an age where we all have phones, laptops and computers. Let’s be honest, most of you probably have old mobile phones sitting in a drawer at home or a disused computer taking up space in the study, so why not recycle … Continued
A Growing Mountain of E-Waste
Ever wondered what happens to your old computers or iPhones once you upgrade? Record amounts of e-waste were discarded around the world in 2014 and according to research conducted by the UN University, 42 million tonnes (42 billion kilograms) of electrical and electronic waste is added to global landfill stocks each and every year.
In Australia, e-waste is collected by local councils and community groups. The collected e-waste is then sent to specialised e-waste recycling facilities where it is processed to recover valuable materials like gold, silver and copper, and prevent hazardous materials from being released into the environment. Some major retailers and manufacturers also offer e-waste collection and recycling services.
Electronic devices are built to withhold and withstand the effects of time and decomposition. Glass on your mobile will take around 1 million years to break down, the plastic on your computer mouse is estimated around 3-4 million years to decompose and your heavy-duty battery will last a similar time period.
It’s estimated that around 23 million mobile phones are discarded in Australia each year, either thrown in a drawer or forgotten about. This is a significant amount of e-waste that could be recycled to recover valuable materials and prevent hazardous materials from being released into the environment.
