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The Impact of E-Waste on the Environment and What You Can Do to Help

 Introduction : Electronic waste refers to electronic products containing components which reach the end of its usable life cycle. Many people however may not know this, but electronics contain toxic substances so they need to be handled with care especially when nobody needs it. Although there are steps and measures to recycle the old devices, a lot of times, they just get thrown into the dumpster, which not only makes it irrelevant but also causes damage to the environment. 

Metal Scrap Company

The consequences of improper E waste disposals in landfill or other non dumping sites pose a serious threat to current public health and pollute the ecosystem for generations to come. When electronics get improperly disposed of, it releases toxic chemicals which impact the air and human health. 

  • Negative effect on air : Air pollution caused due to E waste impacts animal species a lot which endangers the species and biodiversity of certain regions which are chronically polluted. High value materials such as gold and silver are often removed from highly integrated electronics by using acids, desoldering other chemicals which also release fumes in areas where recycling is not regulated properly.
  • Negative effect on soil : When improper disposal of E waste in regular landfills or in places where it is dumped illegally both heavy metal and flame retardants can seep directly from the E waste into the soil, causing contamination of underlying groundwater or contamination of crops which may be planted nearby or in the area in the future.
  • Negative effect on water : Heavy metals from E waste such as mercury, lithium, lead and barium, then leak through the earth even further to reach the groundwater. Now when these heavy metals reach groundwater, they eventually make their way into ponds, streams, rivers and lakes. This process ends up creating acidification and toxification in the water which is harmful for animals, plants and communities.
  • Negative effect on Humans : Electronic waste contains toxic components which are dangerous to human health like mercury, lead, Cadmium, polybrominated flame, retardants, barium and lithium. These negative toxins can severely impact the brain, heart, kidney and nervous and reproductive system. 

Strategies to use, to reduce E waste and conserve green energy 

  • Check the product lifespan : While purchasing a new product, make sure that the product has a longer lifespan.
  • Reuse as often as possible : If you have parts and equipment that are still working, try repairing the electronic device before getting a new one. But if the device is beyond repairable then try recycling it.
  • Educate yourself : Learning about raw materials which are used for manufacturing phones or laptops helps you understand how harmful these materials and toxins can be if they get tossed into landfill.
  • Be environmentally friendly : Look for an environmentally friendly label. For example, try to buy products that are labeled energy star or have been certified by an electronic product environmental assessment tool.
  • Limit your electronic tool :  Consider limiting the number of electronics you own. If you don’t need an extra gadget, look for devices that have multiple functions.
  • Maintain what you have : Small moves help keep what you have working longer. Clean your computer often and don’t overcharge your battery so you can improve your batteries overall lifespan. 

Eco friendly appliance recycling

Managing E waste is not easy and will have certain roadblocks for the same. But Endeavor Recyclers through their E waste recycling solutions effectively recover valuable resources and reduce environmental impact which paves way for a greener, more responsible electronic waste management. 

Plastic waste management


Conclusion : E waste pollution is a severe problem which requires awareness from both the sides of the individual and societal level. Only by raising awareness about the impacts of E waste and taking steps to responsibly dispose of the E waste. Endeavor Recyclers have been taking concrete steps and working hard towards sustainability for the environment and improving the recycling trend.