Planning to buy a new phone this year? Well, there are a million others in the country who are thinking the same- be it a mobile phone, a new laptop, or an iPad. The list can go on! The crazy reality is that it is becoming hard to keep pace with the tech industry and harder to manage the E-waste recycling!
There is always something new – a new feature, a new update, a superfast processor and so on and we don’t want to miss out! However, the growing desire for new technology has led to a critical environmental issue: Climate Change. Proper E-waste recycling and management has become the need of the hour.
We are going to discuss deeper about this pressing issue and how e-waste recycling, to a large extent, can combat climate change!
Also read: How Cashify Is Turning India’s E-Waste Management Into a Sustainability Movement?
Why E-Waste Has Become A Critical Problem?
While e-waste generation is inevitable, the rapid rate of growth and then accumulation in landfills has become a serious concern. On average, households have 74 electronic items, 13 hoarded. Nine working but unused, four broken. Most of it ultimately goes out as regular waste. When we talk about 2022, small electronic and electrical items like phones, cameras, and toasters collectively weigh an estimated 25 million tons globally. India, where consumerism is fast and big, is now the third-largest contributor to e-waste worldwide. Our country is generating about 1 million tons annually.
India’s E-Waste Generation
| Year | 2019-20 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|
| India’s E-Waste Generation (Million Metric Tonnes – MT) | 1.01 | 1.751 |
Only 22 per cent of this waste is formally dismantled and recycled, with the rest often ending up in informal sectors or landfills. This is posing severe risks to the environment and human health. Unfortunately, the case in the global scenario is not much different.
Global E-Waste Challenge
| Global E-Waste Generation | Documented Formal Recycling |
| 62 Billion kg | 13.8 Billion kg |
Also Read: Ways In Which Recycling Helps Our Environment
Why Do We Need To Worry About Climate Change?
Climate change has been getting worse in recent times. The last year, 2024 has been recorded as the hottest year ever. The global temperature rose by about 1.54 degees celcius above pre-industrial levels. As you may have witnessed, heatwaves have become more frequent and severe. Some parts of Asia reached temperatures as high as 50 degrees celcius. Storms and floods are also getting stronger and more frequent. Hurricanes like Beryl and Debby have become more intense due to climate change. We are nearing dangerous limits. There are many human activities to blame for this consequence, including e-waste. Recycling such waste can help pacify the climate change to significant levels.
The Connection Between E-Waste and Climate Change!
There are many ways recycling e-waste will solve the climate change problems directly or indirectly.
Resource Conservation:
- Electronic devices contain precious metals such as gold, silver, and palladium. Extracting these metals through mining is energy-intensive and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling one ton of e-waste can yield 1,000 grams of gold, compared to just 10 grams from one ton of gold ore.
- Recycling copper uses 85 per cent less energy compared to mining new copper.
Also read: How You Can Help The Environment By Selling Your Old Phone On Cashify
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
- Recycling e-waste supports the production of renewable energy equipment like wind turbines, solar panels, and electric car batteries. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers overall carbon footprints.
Preventing Environmental Pollution:
- The most important way e-waste recycling can help is responsible dumping of these wastes. As, you may know, improper disposal of e-waste releases harmful substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium into the soil and water. These pollutants contribute to ecosystem degradation and exacerbate climate challenges.
The real problem is, there is so much gap in awareness amongst common people and lack of infrastructure.
Many people don’t know how to properly dispose of electronic waste. Surveys show that a significant number of individuals tend to store unused devices at home. Often due to sentimental attachment or simply because they are unsure about the correct disposal methods. This lack of awareness contributes to the growing problem of e-waste accumulation.
Also read: How Cashify Complies With E-Waste Management Rules
India’s Efforts to Tackle E-Waste
India introduced the E-Waste Management Rules in 2016, focusing on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR holds manufacturers accountable for recycling a portion of their products after they reach the end of their lifecycle. Later, rules did get revised broadening the range of items under EPR. Despite this, very less amount of India’s e-waste is currently recycled, highlighting the urgent need for stronger and more effective systems.
Cashify Steps In To Support E-Waste Recycling
Cashify is a known name in the re-commerce industry. It proactively encourages selling old phones, buying and giving second chances to pre-loved phones and repairing them instead of buying brand new smartphones. It makes recycling electronics possible at a user level.
Cashify understands that disposing is not the first option and that responsible recycling is the key to sustainability.
Here are a few of the key contributions:
Also read: How Irresponsible Disposal Of Electronics Is Hurting Our Environment
Collaboration with Authorised bodies
Cashify works with Karo Sambhav Private Limited, a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)-authorised Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), Cashify ensures compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. This partnership reflects its commitment to sustainable practices and also promotes cohesive e-waste management.
Bulk Consumer Programme
Cashify caters to large-scale organisations like offices, government institutions, schools, hospitals, and retailers through its Bulk Consumer Programme. This initiative provides a structured and environmentally responsible solution for bulk e-waste disposal.
Awareness Campaigns:
Cashify actively educates users about the environmental impact of e-waste and the benefits of recycling through its platform and social media channels.
Also Read: Environmental Toll of E-Waste & How To Responsibly Dispose of Smartphone Batteries!
Waste Collector Programme
In an effort to make e-waste collection systematic, Cashify’s Waste Collector Programme involves waste pickers and aggregators in formal recycling channels. This program brings transparency to waste collection processes. It also empowers local waste pickers and aggregators.
In The End
Proper e-waste recycling is vital for protecting the environment and fighting climate change. It helps conserve resources, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and reduces pollution. Companies like Cashify are taking the lead with smart solutions for managing e-waste. However, real change needs all of us to act. By recycling e-waste responsibly, we can create a healthier planet and reduce the impact of climate change.
Also Read: Battery Tips: How To Extend Your Smartphone Battery’s Life
Did you know that refurbished mobile phones cost almost 50 per cent less than new phones on Cashify? You also get other discounts, No-cost EMI and more, making it the most affordable way to buy a premium phone. So, what are you waiting for? Buy refurbished mobile phones at your nearest cashify store and avail exclusive offers.
