Want to know some interesting facts about electronic goods recycling? Want to know about where these products go after recycling and what are the best ways to avoid stocking of e-wastes including mobile phones and other household gadgets.
A solution to electronics products and technology could see more people selling mobile phone for cash. Every time I sell mobile phone, computer or any other obsolete gadget, one question definitely arises in my mind and that is about the process of recycling. Like, is it completely safe for the environment or is there any better alternate to this process etc.,?
One of my friends who is attached to the business of recycling e-wastes, explained me the whole concept in a better way. Though old mobile phones and computers are often reused in charitable organizations or schools, it hardly makes 10% of the total products sent for recycling.
So, don’t sell mobile phones, computers and other old gadgets simply because you don’t use those any more. In stead you can try some other options that could benefit you as well as the whole environment.
Lease your equipment
Leasing your product often gives you opportunity to return the old product to its vendor and upgrade to a newer one, thus getting a credit towards future purchase.
Use Traditional Electronic Gadgets
It is advisable to use traditional appliances and tools for household jobs instead of their electronic versions which are expensive and also prone to fast wear and tear.
Buy quality products
Don’t forget to check service history and consumer’s feedback about a product whilst purchasing electronic and electrical items.
Repair your product to avoid stockpile
Avoid thrashing an electronic product with minor fault. Repairing the product will be cheaper than replacing it too. The parts of your old gadget can also be used to build a new product.
Buy upgradeable devices
Mobile phones and other gadgets can be sometimes upgraded to a newer version by replacing a single component which saves money as well as reduces wastes.
Donate Your Equipment carefully
Make sure that the school or charity to which you are donating your gadget can use it easily or at least has the necessary machinery to upgrade it. Otherwise it will become useless to them and they have to find a safe way to dispose it again.
The various parts of electronic products like mobile phone, computer or television can be used in the following ways:
• The glass CRTs or cathode ray tubes of computers and televisions are processed in a smelter in which lead is extracted and the glasses are recycled.
• The plastic casings are dismantled and recycled to be used in various items like to retain blocks and pothole mix etc.
• Parts like circuit boards, chips, and others of mobile phones and computers are often reused to repair or upgrade old devices and even sold as scrap.
• The metal components too are extracted and sold for their scrap value.