International E-Waste Day

International E-Waste Day takes place every year on the 14th October. Its goal is to raise awareness around electronic waste, the fastest growing solid waste stream on the planet, and promote responsible handling of redundant IT.

 

The Major Issue with E-waste

In 2022, humans generated an all-time high of 62 billion kg of e-waste. This is an almost incomprehensible number as it is, but it is expected to continue to rise to 82 billion kg by 2030. You can learn more about the dangers of e-waste here. Ultimately, e-waste poses a major threat not only to those situated near e-waste landfill sites, such as Agbogbloshie in Ghana, but to everyone as the toxic chemicals can infiltrate soil, contaminate water, and disperse into the atmosphere.  

Raising Awareness

As we previously stated, the two major purposes of International E-Waste Day are to raise awareness of the issue e-waste poses and educate people on responsible disposal and handling. In 2023, WEEE Forum reported 195 companies from 55 countries took part in the day by organising special events, collections and campaigns. Over the past three years, Techbuyer has joined in the celebrations and education of International E-Waste Day, but this year we are going the extra mile. 

To celebrate International E-Waste Day 2024, Techbuyer is encouraging its team members to dig out their old tech from cupboards and drawers and donate it to our Resource Recovery team. The goal of this is not only to ensure that this redundant equipment is responsibly dealt with, but also to highlight both the variety in what counts as e-waste, and the amount of e-waste many people will have spread around their home. 

What Constitutes E-waste?

The sheer amount of equipment that falls under the e-waste banner is staggering. When you think of e-waste, you might first think of computers, phones and TVs. You might even think of white goods, such as fridges, microwaves, and ovens. One growing area of concern in waste electrical and electronic equipment that you may not think of is vapes and e-cigarettes.  

The reality of the world we live in means that more variations of e-waste are created every day, and the scope of the problem continues to grow. This is why it is so important to identify the issue and act on it. 

What Can I Do?

The first step is understanding the impact that e-waste has. Many people, children in particular, are unaware of the environmental and health hazards that e-waste poses when improperly disposed of. Being unaware of the dangers can lead to a lack of care when it comes to disposal. 

The number one strategy to combat the rampant growth in e-waste is disposing of your surplus and redundant hardware responsibly. Whether this is through donations or selling to help increase its lifespan, or through responsible recycling, it is vital that you remain diligent with any potential WEEE under your ownership. A huge amount of e-waste consists of personal devices, meaning that individual change on a larger scale can make a real difference. 

Another effective strategy in combatting e-waste is to reduce your consumption. Buying fewer, higher-quality items that last longer, and avoiding unnecessary product upgrades. You can further reduce your effect on e-waste by considering refurbished goods over new or opting for component upgrades or repair. 

At Techbuyer, we hold a Zero to Landfill Policy, meaning that everything that comes through our doors gets refurbished, resold, or ethically recycled. You can find out more about our Zero to Landfill policy here. 

If you want to learn more about International E-waste Day, you can visit the website here.