Where do dead devices go?
We all know where to get electronic goods, but do you know how to manage your old or broken electronics?
e-Waste
Electronic waste or e-Waste are the terms used for discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for re-use, resale, salvage, recycling or disposal are considered e-Waste.
Electronic waste includes computers, laptops, cell phones, entertainment electronics,  household appliances and less obvious items such as cables and spent fluorescent tubes as well as chemical liquid-based goods such as batteries and printer cartridges that have been discarded.
Short lifespan
Electronic goods have a short lifespan due to rapid technology change and household appliances are becoming progressively cheaper and shoddier due to planned obsolescence leading to new purchases rather than having items repaired. This in turn has resulted in a problem of stock-piled and mismanaged devices around the globe.
Valuable and toxic
e-Waste is both valuable as a source for secondary raw material, and toxic if handled and discarded improperly.
e-Waste: The fastest growing waste stream
The e-Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA)
The e-Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA) was established in 2008 to establish a sustainable environmentally sound e-Waste management system for South Africa.
Since then the non-profit organisation has been working with manufactures, vendors and distributors of electronic and electrical goods and e-Waste handlers (including re-furbishers, dismantlers and recyclers) to manage e-Waste effectively.
The issue with e-Waste ending up in landfills is that electronics are filled with potentially toxic, hazardous chemicals that can leak into soil and water. This leakage will not only damage the natural environment but can affect human health when the toxic residue ends up in drinking water.
The appropriate process of e-Waste management not only helps eliminate environmental threats but also generates job opportunities and aids economic growth. This is because collection points work not only with recycling centres, but also with informal collectors, buy-back centres, e-Waste dismantlers, e-Waste re-furbishers and the Waste2Art Centre.
Recycle centres
As you click and scroll away today, consider if you have an overlooked electronic scrap heap that can be relocated to your nearest collection point.
Find the locations on eWASA’s website.
