Are you a tech junkie?
Did you even know that’s a thing?
In case you’re wondering, I’m so not a tech junkie. I grew up in the era that was in between not having technology + technology just emerging into what it has now become. Any other 90’s kids out there? I honestly think I could transition into an analog lifestyle + be rather content. I mean, I much prefer to read an actual, physical book than use an e-reader device of some kind 🤷🏻‍♀️
However, I know that not everyone else in the world feels or thinks the same why I do about technology + electronic devices. Technology is ever changing + evolving; it honestly just amazes me sometimes, while I also fear it is increasing our ability to become apathetic + lazy.
While our consumption of electronics + technology isn’t a huge problem, our disposal of them actually is. It’s what we call electronic waste.
What is it exactly?
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is when electronic devices that have become broken, outdated, or are unwanted. Living in an age where technology is always changing, it’s easy for things to become outdated + unwanted so quickly.
Electronics seems to be a product we don’t regularly try to recycle, even though it’s actually possible to recycle them! So when we don’t want them or they no longer work we tend to just trash them + they end up in landfills.
Why is it a problem?
I won’t even bother to pretend I’m an expert in how technology + electronic devices are made, but I do know they tend to have chemicals that are rather dangerous. So, when we toss out that old cell phone, fridge, gaming system, etc. + it ends up in the landfill those dangerous chemicals can, over time, end up in our soil, water, or even the air. This then makes things dangerous for animals, the earth, + even us.
How do we combat it?
- Reduce our electronic consumption
- Sell or gift unwanted devices that still work
- Repair broken devices
- Recycle
- ecoATM
ecoATM makes recycling unwanted devices easy! They are kiosks setup inside retail stores; you just take your unwanted MP3 player, tablet, or phone to the kiosk, let the kiosk do its thing, then it will give you the best price, giving you the cash + keeping the device out of a landfill. You can check them out here! If you want, you can even price out your devices before you decide to take it to the kiosk.
Several retail stores, like Best Buy, will actually recycle your unwanted devices for you! Talk about making life simple + easy! You can even recycle used printer ink cartridges at Staples + Office Max, sometimes with rewards in return. When upgrading your cell phone, sometimes you are able to return your old cell phone while receiving money back or off your new cost. I’m all for saving money + recycling unwanted devices responsibly.
So, now that you are armed with all the responsible ways to handle your electronic waste, let’s go recycle all the things!
Savvy + Sustainable 