Electronic waste is a growing issue, with more and more electronic products being bought and thrown away each year. Manufacturers continue to create new and better devices, but older models are being retired, making them difficult to repair or upgrade. This is partly due to planned obsolescence.

To preserve electronic devices, it is best to preserve them as long as possible before recycling them. If you need a better device, consider selling it for refurbishment instead of recycling.

E-waste should never go to landfills, as it contains toxic and hazardous materials such as mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium, chromium, and chemical flame retardants. It also contains valuable resources and precious metals like gold, copper, silver, and rare earth minerals. As we deplete the Earth at a rapid rate, it is crucial for the future of the industry to figure out how to recycle and reuse what we have.

Up to 90% of electronic waste is dumped illegally, posing a tremendous environmental risk. The Basel Action Network, a non-profit organization working to regulate the export of e-waste from industrialized societies to developing countries, states that up to 90% of electronic waste is illegally dumped. Some “recyclers” dump electronic waste in developing countries where proper recycling processes are lacking, leaving harmful materials lying around, harming workers, water, soil, and the surrounding community.

To recycle e-waste, find an e-waste “Clean Point” and find a recycling center. Reducing the amount of e-waste is essential, and focusing on reducing the number of electronic devices purchased is one of the best ways to start.