Today’s world has so many advancements in technology that it can be quite hard to keep up with all the latest trends. That means that you will naturally have a lot of old and outdated electronics just lying around your house. The Consumer Electronics Association states that the average American household has 24 electronic devices that will gradually become electronic waste. Not just that, but the entire world produces about 50 million tons of e-waste each year. That is quite a lot and can have harmful effects on the environment. At Breeding Roll Off Service, we want you to know how important it is to get rid of your obsolete technology safely and in the correct way.
How To Tell What Is E-Waste
If you are wondering “What exactly constitutes as e-waste?”, the professionals at your local roll-off container company are here to help. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of e-waste is “waste consisting of discarded electronic products (such as computers, televisions, and cell phones).” Other items considered e-waste include:
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Keyboards
- Printers
- Audio equipment
- MP3 Players
All of these items contain heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury, all of which can seep out and pollute our drinking water. These metals never decompose, so they will remain a problem for generations to come. Naturally, we all want to ensure a healthy and beautiful future for our planet, and that is why we need to consider the issues that these metals present.
Why Should I Get Rid Of My E-Waste?
Though most might not realize it, it is extremely crucial to properly dispose of your electronic waste. Doing so will help preserve the environment. Did you know that e-waste is one of the quickest growing components in the solid waste stream? It is also responsible for up to 70% of heavy metal waste in our landfills. Whenever electronic waste is incinerated, noxious and dangerous gases are released in the atmosphere. Additionally, states like Maryland have strict laws regarding the disposal of e-waste. If you are caught illegally dumping your electronic waste, you could potentially pay thousands of dollars in fines. Obviously, nobody wants to do that.
Besides keeping your budget intact, there are other benefits to getting rid of your e-waste. One of them is assisting the preservation of our environment. A study from the United States Environmental Protection Agency states that recycling one million laptops has the potential to save the energy equivalent to the amount of electricity that is used by more than 3,500 homes in the U.S. in a year. Another interesting fact is that most electronic waste has bits of aluminum, tin, gold, and copper that can serve as secondary raw materials when correctly recycled.
Our team at Breeding Roll Off Service is here to answer any questions you might have about responsible electronic waste disposal of your own. While we do not dispose of e-waste, we certainly care about the proper and safe disposal of all business and household waste, so please feel free to call us today, and leave that outdated technology in the past where it belongs!
