Although we all know we should not do it, many of us still put our old electronic goods straight in the bin. Most of us know that doing so is bad for the environment, but we do so anyway simply because we cannot think of an alternative way of disposing of things like our old phones, radios and other electronic goods.
In reality, there are several environmentally friendly ways to get rid of our old electronics and here are just a few of them. We can all play our part in preserving our planet by simply changing the way we dispose of our electronic goods.
Reuse them
One of the simplest solutions is reusing old electronics. Reusing something is one of the three R’s of waste management. An old laptop that does not hold its charge can still be used. If a new battery cannot be found it can still be plugged into the mains and used. For the kids they make a great standalone machine.
Recycle them
The second of the three Rs is Recycling, and there are lots of ways to recycle old electronics. Many old electronics can be repaired, which is a great form of recycling. The internet can help you to diagnose the problem, source the spares and show you how to carry out the repair. If you are successful, you will end up with a gadget that works again. On the other hand, if the repair fails you will still have learnt a new skill and can still dispose of the item in an environmentally friendly way. Parts for old gadgets are usually dirt-cheap.
Sometimes you can sell old electronics for parts, or give them to charity. They will be able to break them down into constituent parts and sell them on to firms who will recycle them to produce new environmentally friendly raw materials.
Selling your iPad or other electronics instead of throwing them away is another way to prevent them from going to landfill. People will even buy items that are faulty because they want the parts or know how to repair them.
If none of these options is viable for your device it is important to dispose of the battery properly. Batteries contain harsh chemicals that are particularly bad for the environment, so it is important to, at the very least; take the time to put the battery in a recycling bin.
Reduce your usage
The last of the three Rs is Reduce. The best way to help the environment is to keep the number of gadgets you buy to a minimum.
If you already have a tablet, think carefully before buying another one. Consider if you really need another couple of inches of screen. Perhaps you could use your laptop instead for those tasks where a little extra screen space would be nice.
It is easy to get into the habit of buying the latest gadgets for the sake of it. If you are already in the habit of doing so changing can be difficult, but doing so will be good for your pocket as well as the environment.
