We are in an era when technology is booming towards a bright future. Together with that, we also need to know proper e-waste disposal and management. Afterall giving your old tech a proper goodbye can make a huge difference for our planet. Stick with me to find out why smart e-waste disposal is the way to go!
What is E-Waste, and Why Should You Care About E-waste Disposal?
The old electronics at your home that are on the verge of damage or you have stopped using them, constitute the E-waste. These discarded electronic devices, like phones, computers, TVs, batteries, and even small appliances like toasters, can either sit in your corner or you might just dump them with the usual garbage. To be honest, a lot of people don’t know how exactly to dispose of them in the right way, and the fact is that most people seemingly don’t care.
According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2024 ((by UN), the world generated 62 million metric tons of e-waste in 2022, enough to fill 1.55 million 40-ton trucks. By 2030, this could rise to 82 million metric tons. Unless we act. Only about 22 per cent of e-waste is properly recycled. The rest to ends up in landfills, incinerators, or informal recycling sites, especially in developing countries.
Also read: How Proper E-Waste Recycling Can Help Combat Climate Change!
So what’s the big deal?
These E-waste contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. They are not supposed to get dumped with non-biodegradable waste that ultimately turns into soil. When e-waste is dumped in landfills, these chemicals can leach into soil and water, polluting ecosystems and harming human health. For example, improper e-waste disposal has been linked to respiratory issues, neurological damage, and even cancer in communities near dump sites. On the flip side, e-waste also contains valuable materials like gold, silver, copper, and rare earth metals, which can be recovered through proper recycling, reducing the need for mining and saving resources.
The Environmental and Social Impact of E-waste
Who would have thought, but if e-waste is not properly disposed, it doesn’t just harm the environment but it has social consequences too! In places like Agbogbloshie, Ghana, one of the world’s largest e-waste dumpsites, workers, including children, often burn electronics. They extract metals, exposing themselves to toxic fumes.
There was a 2023 study by the World Health Organization highlighting the reality of e-waste workers. It revealed that they face high risks of chronic diseases due to exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Also, just creating a new electronic device requires massive amounts of energy, water, and raw materials. For instance, making a single smartphone uses about 12,760 litres of water and emits around 55 kg of CO2. This was reported by Greenpeace in 2024. It is nearly impossible to slow down in manufacturing with the demand growing hotter than ever. But recycling e-waste is a new way to embrace a unique category of products. The refurbished gadgets can reduce this environmental footprint by reusing materials, cutting down on emissions, and conserving natural resources. It’s a win-win for the planet and future generations.
Also read: How Cashify Is Turning India’s E-Waste Management Into a Sustainability Movement?
How To Dispose of E-waste The Smart Way?
You don’t need to do heavy research or go through technical jargon to understand how to do e-waste disposal. There are some smart and easy ways to give your gadgets a greener goodbye.
Dispose Your E-Waste the Right Way with Cashify!
Cashify is such an easy channel to do e-waste disposal the smart way. Got an old phone, laptop, or gadget you no longer use? Sell it to Cashify. And yeah once you sell it, it doesn’t just disappear anywhere. It either:
- Goes through refurbishement process and then used by someone else.
- Goes through proper recycling channels to recover valuable components. The rest is disposed off in an eco-friendly way.
Cashify has a huge network of certified recyclers. So be assured that your device is handled safely in a green manner. Damaged phones, dead batteries, broken screens everything is either repaired, reused, or recycled properly.
It is a simple way to clear out clutter, earn some money, and feel satisfied knowing you have made a responsible choice for the planet.
Also read: How Cashify Complies With E-Waste Management Rules
2. Donate Old but Working Devices
If you are not using your phone or it’s just gathering dust around the house, you can give it to someone who really needs it. It can be schools, NGOs, or anyone without access to tech. There are some places that accept donations like these.
But before you just donate it, make sure that the date is completely wiped out and you reset the device once.
3. Use Brand Recycling Programs
There are many brands who help you recycle your old devices for free. These brands include Apple, Samsung, Cashify, and more.
Just check the brand website for any programs.
4. Go to Certified Recycling Centers
We all have devices lying around the house which are beyond repair. The only solution we can see is to through it in the trash! But wait! There are many certified e-waste platforms where you can just take the device and drop it. These platforms safely remove harmful materials and reuse valuable parts.
Make sure to never throw gadgets in regular garbage. It’s harmful.
5. Use Trade-in Offers at Retail Stores
You can also exchange your old mobile phones to upgrade smartly. Places like Amazon, Flipkart, Croma, and more offer exchange facility. You can get discount on your new phone with the help of this one.
Also read: How You Can Help The Environment By Selling Your Old Phone On Cashify
6. Repurpose or Reuse Old Devices
There are also other ways which you can use your old device. Like for example, you can use your old phone as a car dash cam or security camera. You can also use your old phone as a front camera of your laptop as well. You can store your important data as your old phone can act as a storage device as well.
7. Visit Repair Shops
There are a lot of people who are unaware about the repair options available. If there is a minor repair needed for the old device, you can just get it repaired from places like Cashify or other reliable places easily and give your old phone to your kids. They can use it to watch educational videos when you are not around.
Smart E-waste Disposal: In A Nutshell
Your gadgets serve you for years, either making your life easy or giving you entertainment. They deserve more than just being buried in a drawer or ending up in a landfill. Smart e-waste disposal is about giving it a greener goodbye through recycling, selling, donating, or repurposing. E-waste creation is happening rapidly. Now is the prime time to control it just with a small responsible step. By staying informed, using certified recyclers, and supporting sustainable practices, you can help reduce the environmental and social harm of e-waste. Let’s work together to ensure our planet stays healthy for generations to come!
If you’ve just bought a new phone and don’t know what to do with your old phone, then here’s your answer. Sell old mobile to Cashify and get the best price for it. If you are planning to buy a new phone, check out Cashify’s refurbished mobile phones. You can get your favourite phone at almost half price with six-month warranty, 15 days refund and free delivery.
