Thinking Sustainably About Your Electronics

We’ve read on the Postconsumers Blog an article about how much time the average American spends online, and it is scary! We’ve also read the article about how many hours a month the average American spends on their cell phones, and it is also scary. However, electronics are a part of (most of) our lives. Despite our best efforts, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever be able to completely distance ourselves from cell phones, laptops, and even mobile devices. However, we can work to think more sustainably about these things by following three easy steps. That way, you get the satisfaction of your electronic experience, but you lesson your impact and carbon footprint.

Electronics that don’t get responsibly recycled are called e-scrap, and it’s a growing problem across the world. Not only are there harmful chemicals on the inside of electronics, but in many cases the e-scrap is actually illegally shipped overseas to developing nations where impoverished workers, often children, are hired to disassemble the electronics. Of course, that exposes the workers and children to the harmful chemicals and creates numerous health problems. What can you do? Always get online and look to see if there’s an electronics recycler in your area. Better yet, contact the manufacturer of your electronics and ask about their recycling options. Large electronics manufacturers’ programs are the best option because they are unlikely to be willing to risk the customer backlash that would happen if they were caught sending e-scrap to the developing world.

One of the most dangerous parts of consumer habits is the “upgrade habit.” There’s a new smart phone, a new tablet device, a new laptop, a bigger television just about every six months. And every time a new electronics upgrade comes out, many of us want the bigger, better, faster version. However, when we do that, we add more e-scrap to the world without need. Is there really anything “wrong” with your old version? It’s likely not! Whether you’re trying to live green or just get your finances under control, every time you buy an upgrade before your old electronics are really at the end of their lives, you add unnecessary waste to the world.

As green marketing becomes a way that companies can win over consumers (for better or for worse), you can find a crop of eco friendly electronics popping up all over. In particular, many laptop manufacturers and cell phone manufacturers are offering more sustainable options to consumers. It should be pointed out that you won’t get the highest end choices (the best smart phones and most souped-up laptops) with these options, but you will be making more environmentally conscious choices.

Of course, you also want to take the obvious steps. Buy rechargeable batteries and don’t leave electronics plugged in when you’re not using them. We can all still enjoy the satisfaction of our electronic lives, we just need to do it more responsibly! Have an opinion on e-scrap and your daily satisfaction? Friend us on Facebook and tell us about it!

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