E-waste has turned out to be one of the biggest concerns of modern society. Although it’s a fact that e-waste comprises only 2% of the world’s waste, it consists of about 70% of the world’s overall toxic waste. Regardless of the debate on whether e-waste is a significant concern or not, it’s adversely affecting the environment and triggering issues like soil and groundwater pollution, and not to forget, the effects on human and aquatic life.
The major contributor to e-waste generation is the tech companies. However, as tech companies develop technology, it doesn’t imply that they are irresponsible towards the environment. Multiple tech companies incorporate techniques and ways for their e-waste pick up for disposal. Below are five ways by which every tech company can start to reduce e-waste responsibly. So, check them all.
1. Designing Tech That Lasts Longer
Every tech company must take the initiative to design technology that lasts longer. It can be challenging for the tech companies as most of them make revenue out of the constant demand of the users. The cash flow decreases when the demand becomes slower. To ensure the demand is high and steady, these tech companies create products that consistently need upgrades, updates, or replacement.
Mobile-tech companies and service providers bestow this by integrating what adds up to leasing programs enclosed within their services. For instance, a customer pays a minimal amount for the latest phone for two years or more and then faces the choice to either keep or upgrade the phone with a new one. Depending on the usage entails and frequency of usage, tech consumers buy some new model laptops and phones every year.
It’s obvious for the tech companies to face challenges in neglecting this business model in view of designing technology that lasts longer than usual in this highly competitive tech-crazed world. There’s a limitation to the reach of this recommendation.
Technology is constantly advancing at a fast pace, with new tech innovations getting introduced to the market every single year. However, within those limits, designing products and services for the long term is a highly responsible way to resolve the issue of e-waste.
2. Repair and Refurbish Existing Tech Products
When it comes to repairing and refurbishing existing products, tech companies must pursue this goal explicitly. This is done in-house by some tech companies, where they come up with refurbished products for their customers at lower prices.
However, other tech companies can collaborate with businesses like electronic recycling companies that either accept donations, work with used electronic gadgets, or purchase outdated and old models. These recycling companies ensure upcycling and updating the products to make them retrofit and acceptable for resale.
All these steps help extend the lifespan of the individual tech units while reducing the levels of e-waste from tech companies every year.
3. Reduce Usage of New Resources
Budget constraint is one of the other ways by which tech companies can responsibly manage e-waste. Every tech company has a budget, and they look for multiple ways to stay under it. Tech companies can develop policies that will enable them to minimize the purchase of new resources.
In simple words, while tech developers and manufacturers need specific resources, it’s essential how far they extend the use of the resources they already have. They have to see whether the applications, tools, software, and machinery can be extended further before they become obsolete for use.
This is an effective way to reduce the budget as well as the e-waste. So, in both ways, it’s a win-win situation.
4. Collaborating With Recycling Companies
Numerous factors determine how much it costs to recycle e-waste responsibly and safely. These factors include:
- The product and material that is taken for recycling
- Availability of resources for local recycling
- Availability of local recycling companies
- The location
- The reputation of the recycling company’s service
- How precisely and thoroughly the e-waste is broken down
The best way to meet at least some of these factors while keeping your budget minimal and efficient is by collaborating with an e-waste recycling company. These companies are designed to repair and refurbish existing products for resale purposes. Other companies can break the products to extract their recyclable valuable parts. They not only help tech companies to stay on budget with resources but also reduce e-waste responsibly.
Final Words
Conclusively, the significant point is that e-waste has become a big environmental concern, and tech companies need to resolve this issue responsibly. Reversing the tide is now not possible for any tech company, but through the above-mentioned tips, tech companies can bring the world a step closer to a long-term solution for e-waste. So, it’s time for every tech company to step up and contribute to making this world a better place by reducing e-waste as much as possible.
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