What Happens When You Don’t Recycle Electronics Properly
The average person has 3 to 4 main electronic devices that they’re going to use every day. The problem with these electronics is that quite commonly they can become obsolete and require replacement. The majority of these electronics when they wear out will end up in the trash can and this will often produce ongoing waste for a landfill. When you choose to dispose of this waste in a regular landfill it can often be extremely dangerous due to the toxic elements that are released over time. Here are some of the top impacts on the environment if you don’t recycle electronics properly.
Impact On The Soil
As you continue to throw out electronic waste it will continue to play an impact on the soil in your local landfill. E-waste will often take thousands of years to properly decompose and during this time it will create a long-lasting effect on the environment. As any electronic devices continue to break down, they’ll release toxic chemicals into the soil which will eventually contaminate the trees and the plants. Some of the toxic chemicals that are present in many electronic devices include lead from circuit boards and lithium from batteries. All of these toxic chemicals have the potential to make their way into food through the soil.
Groundwater
The Mercury, lead, and cadmium that slowly break down in electronics will eventually flow into the groundwater. Groundwater then flows its way into the streams, lakes, and ponds in the area. All of these harmful additives for electronics will eventually make their way into local water supplies as not all of these items can be filtered out from our local water supply. Ongoing electronic waste leads to ongoing health risks including increased rates of cancer, immune system damage, and chances for developmental or reproductive problems.
Air Pollution
Most of the electronic waste that isn’t recycled will get sent off to incinerators in areas that do not have sanctions regarding electronic waste disposal. Burning electronics can be extremely harmful to the environment and as many electronics are composed of glass, metals, and plastic it produces dangerous emissions when they are incinerated. As we continue to remove electronic waste in this way we will also contribute to global warming by increasing the rate of old zone depletion too.
Ongoing Marine Pollution
Some of the harmful landfills and incineration techniques will also lead to dumping in the area. Electronic waste also goes into the ocean every year and this nonbiodegradable Marine dumping can be deadly to organisms in the area and harm ecosystems. E-waste and the various toxins will continue to damage ecosystems and the process of recovery will become less possible in the future.
Choosing a proper electronics recycling program with a proven track record will make sure that your data remains secure and that all of the items in electronic waste will be appropriately disposed of through a proper recycling program. If you would like to learn more about working with an electronics recycling program, contact us today.