A Quick Overview of the Growing E-waste Problem

10 May 2021

As technology advances, more and more products are being developed, enhanced, and offered to consumers. From mobile devices to appliances, most of these products are now equipped with smart features thanks to the continuous expansion of the internet, artificial intelligence, and many more.

The increasing list of features that are being added to mobile devices, appliances, and other related products has truly enticed many people around the world. This is the exact reason why many people are now using computers, laptops, smartphones, and even smartwatches. Even commercial properties are switching to microwaves, blenders, toasters, printers, televisions, and other appliances that are packed with a lot of smart useful functionalities and fun gimmicks.

While these products have significantly helped make everything so much easier, one growing issue that is connected to their rising popularity is the existence of e-wastes.

E-waste as the New Source of Waste

Every year, over 50 million tonnes of e-waste are continuously accumulating all over the world. With the continuous consumption and use of mobile devices, appliances, and other pieces of equipment, e-wastes are expected to dominate the group of waste materials once these products become outdated, unwanted, or faulty. E-wastes might even fill landfills faster than other types of waste products.

Mobile devices, appliances, and other similar types of products are often made from a combination of materials. Most of them feature some plastic materials as well as metallic pieces. They likewise utilise substances and compounds for them to work and operate throughout their service life. Battery cells, engines, and other components that can provide power to these devices typically have elements that can be both useful and harmful, depending on their current state or condition.

Advances in Product Consumption

While many of the devices and appliances in households and establishments are still functional, there are also a huge amount of these products that have already obtained damages or met the end of their service life. And as these products lose their ability to work and bring convenience to people, they are often discarded and sent to landfills for them to deteriorate for a very long time.

Product consumption has truly advanced for the past few years. Consequently, e-waste has not only become a new source of waste, but it also generated a problem when it comes to global waste.

Without discarding the devices, appliances, and other similar things properly, the substances inside their parts can easily pollute the soil, water, and air. Even the plastic and metallic parts can cause dangers to the landfills as they do not easily deteriorate, which will only lead to worse waste contamination. They are even e-wastes that are being exported illegally to other countries, making things more complicated.

Recycling E-wastes as the Solution

Fortunately, more and more countries are now pushing towards the rampant recycling of e-waste. Some of them even restrict manufacturers from using specific materials just to ensure that dangerous toxins will not contaminate the soil, water, and air. As for recycling centres, they incentivise individuals and businesses who are sending them faulty devices, appliances, and other similar products, making sure that they can be discarded properly as well as processed and converted into something more useful.

If you want to know more about e-waste recycling, just contact us at Victorian Metal Traders.

 

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