Electrical waste is one of the biggest environmental issues we face right now. There is a culture of replacing smartphones every year or two when a new model comes out, and laptops only have a lifespan of around 4 years. All of those old electronics end up in landfill and the materials used to make them can cause a lot of damage to the surrounding ecosystems.
The problem is, we are all reliant on technology. It’s become a central part of our lives and, for most people, giving up their phone and laptop just isn’t feasible. You can, however, reduce the amount of electrical waste you create, and ensure that any old electronics are disposed of safely. These are the best ways to manage your electrical waste.
Buy Futureproof Tech
The short life span of tech creates a lot of waste. People buy a phone that, after a couple of years, doesn’t work properly. The same is true with laptops. After 4 or 5 years, they slow right down and you can’t run any new software on them, so they’re next to useless. However, you can get away from this cycle of constant replacements by buying futureproof tech.
When purchasing a laptop, don’t choose a cheap one that will be obsolete in a few years. Instead, go for something from the range of Intel 11th Gen Laptops, which have a much more powerful processor. Although they are more expensive, the additional power means they can keep up with the demands of new software for much longer. That means less waste and you’ll save money because you won’t keep replacing it.
Modular smartphones are another excellent option. These are phones that are designed to be more eco-friendly because parts can easily be replaced. So, when they start becoming obsolete, you can upgrade specific components instead of buying a whole new phone.
Repair Instead of Replacing
We’re so used to replacing old tech that most people don’t even bother to repair it. If something goes slightly wrong, they just chuck it out and get a new one. The thing is, most issues with phones and computers are relatively minor and can be easily fixed. There are so many great repair shops out there that will get your tech up and running in no time. You’re not contributing to landfill and a repair will be much cheaper than a replacement.
Find Recycling Schemes
Even if you work to extend the lifespan of your tech, it will break eventually. That’s fine because you have already reduced the environmental impact by keeping it for so long. However, when you do need to replace things, make sure that you don’t just throw old tech in the bin. It needs to be recycled properly so it doesn’t damage the environment. Look for local recycling schemes or even send it back to the manufacturer. Many companies now offer a recycling service for old tech.
We can’t do without phones and laptops anymore, but that doesn’t mean that they have to destroy the planet. Just follow these steps and you can reduce electronic waste.
