Edited by Yujin Tchun
Electronic devices like phones, earphones, computers, speakers, and more are pervasive and essential among us. However, with the rapid growth of technology, more advanced products are being made and consumed by many customers; thus, more old electronic products will be thrown away.
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams on the planet. Annually, we produce more than 50 million tonnes of e-waste, and it is only going to increase as electronic products become more accessible worldwide. But, despite the waste, e-waste is a problem because they contain a laundry list of harmful chemicals to us and the environment, like mercury, lead, beryllium, brominated flame retardants, and cadmium. So, when electronic waste is not appropriately handled, the harmful chemicals will end up in our soil, water, and air (An intro into e-waste: Why it’s a problem, 2021).
Even so, Bristol has a novel approach to tackling e-waste and consumerism by restoring old electronic products and providing them to people in need. Bristol’s “Electric Avenue pop-up store” hand out electrical items donated by the good people of Bristol. Before delivering the items, the electronic products are cleaned, repaired, safety checked, and ultimately diverted from landfills and recycling centres (Haines, 2021).
The pop-up store is run by the environment charity Hubbub, the Bristol Waste Company and Ecosurety, and environmental compliance firm. They have been going around the city to collect unwanted electronic items and show people that second-handed electronics still have value while informing people about the impact of e-waste.
I am sure that many of you have electronic products at home that are not used for months or even years that still has good value and functionality, so let’s not leave them at a corner of your house piling dust, and instead give them a new life to provide joy and merit to other households that need the product; let’s not let this toxic waster stream grow larger!
References
Haines, G. (2021, November 26). This city is restoring old electrical goods – and giving
them to those in need. Positive News. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from
https://www.positive.news/society/the-city-giving-away-used-electronics-on-black-
friday/
An intro to e-waste: Why it's a problem. (2019, October 4). recycle coach. Retrieved
December 5, 2021, from https://recyclecoach.com/blog/an-intro-to-e-waste-why-its-a-
problem/
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