Learn the best way to dispose of your e-waste

Every year, each Brazilian generates, on average, 8 kilos of electronic waste. There are TVs, batteries, computers, notebooks, cell phones, toys, appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and microwaves that, if disposed of incorrectly, can cause serious problems for the environment and also for health.

O awesome.club shows you the best way to get rid of used electronics without causing any problems. Check out.

A report produced by the United Nations warned that the world urgently needs to take care of its electronic waste. Across the planet, almost 45 million pieces of waste from this type of device were produced in 2016. In the Americas, Brazil, with 1,500 tons, or 8 kilograms per inhabitant, is second only to the United States. The problem is that most broken cell phones, unused computers and old refrigerators simply end up in the common trash, which affects the quality of the soil and water where it is thrown.

A survey by Anatel, the agency that controls telecommunications in Brazil, indicates that there are more than 236 million cell phones connected, more than the almost 30 million more than the country’s population — 209 million inhabitants. The consumer electronics market in the country is very strong. According to Abinee (Brazilian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association) it generates R$ 136 billion a year across the country, a figure that would be enough to build almost 100 Corinthians stadiums, for example. Still according to data from the entity, per year, close to 48 million cell phones are sold, and another 3.5 million notebooks. A study by FGV (Fundação Getúlio Vargas) indicates that five out of six Brazilians own a computer or notebook, and by 2020, everyone will.

One of the main damages caused by discarding computers, cell phones, and other equipment in common waste is caused by heavy metals from batteries, which further contaminates landfills. The logic is that, by contaminating the soil, such metals will end up in the groundwater, and with that, they will contaminate plants, food, animals and man himself.
A single cell phone can contain up to 15 different metals, including heavy metals such as mercury, lead, nickel and chromium. If these metals are mixed with water, they can cause headaches, inflammation in the lungs and even paralysis of the hands and vision damage.

Before giving up your cell phone or computer, confirm that it can be used by someone else in your family or even someone in your community. If not, you can return it to the manufacturer. Many manufacturers of computers, notebooks, refrigerators and other appliances offer collection services, such as Dell, Le Novo, LG, Motorola, Sony, Samsung, Positivo and Epson. If the manufacturer of your equipment is none of these, contact them through the website and find out.

Several NGOs and companies also collect electronic equipment free of charge. Among them are Descarte Certo and Scata Digital. ECycle is one of the best Brazilian portals on the subject and it allows you to find out which company, NGO or public service performs collection and recycling near your home. To do this, just enter the type of equipment you want to donate and enter the zip code. In the case of companies, it is possible to do the same with Recicladora Urbana.

Electronic equipment “hide” true riches, and to manufacture some, it is even necessary to use silver and even gold. About 80% of a cell phone can be recycled and its products can turn into jewelry, toys and even brooms.

Zinc and manganese are used in batteries, which are useful, for example, in agriculture. With an eye on this, many have already started to profit from recycling electronic waste. The best example comes from some merchants on Rua Santa Ifigênia, in downtown São Paulo, who sell second-hand electronic equipment. The Sebrae (Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Companies) even offers a course for those who want to undertake in business.

And you, do you have any tips on how to dispose of broken or used electronic equipment? Tell us.