Recycle Computers and E-Waste & Its Harmful Effects on the Environment
As per various studies, it has been observed that approximately 40 million metric tons of e-waste are produced annually, and only less than 15% of the immense electronic waste is recycled globally. This means that up to 85% of unused electronics are not recycled. This is why Lynnwood Computer Recycling recycles laptops, desktops, Macs, and other types of e-waste for free.
Have you ever happened to give it a thorough thought whether where do your old computers, laptops, Macbooks, and other electronic devices go once they are recycled?
These obsolete computers, laptops, servers, Macs, cell phones, cameras, and other electronic devices are in many cases tossed into the trash bin. However, unbeknownst to many electronics, consumers, and computer users, these electronic devices contain toxic substances. This makes it paramount to dispose of them with utmost care to protect the environment. Everyone should be aware however, recycling unused electronics properly can have far-reaching positive impacts both on humans, other creatures, and the environment as a whole.
In this article, we’ll pore over some of the aftermaths of inadequate e-waste disposal. Electronics, and computers thrown into non-dumping sites and landfills and how this negatively affects our community as well as the planet.
The Consequences of Improper E-Waste Disposal
Improper computer, laptop, and other types of e-waste disposal poses severe threats to public health. It can also contaminate ecosystems for generations to come. Without any further ado, let’s get into the deets.
The Adverse Effect on Air
Dismantling, shredding, and melting old electronic devices improperly, including computers, laptops, and Macbooks, causes a release of dust particles/toxins such as dioxins into the environment. This ultimately causes horrible air pollution and can be damaging the respiratory health of people at large. This includes people in poorer areas who dismantle computers for their components. The fine particles released from grinding, or burning the e-waste tend to travel hundreds of miles and cause various chronic diseases and cancer, jeopardizing the lives of people and animals over huge areas.
The Adverse Effect on Soil
The heavy metals and flame retardant chemicals seep straight into the soil from electronic waste when disposed of improperly or illegally. This contaminating of the soil can even cause spoiling and poisoning the crops planted in the vicinity. Next, crops absorb these toxins and, down the line, cause illness and internal health problems to the ones who consume the food produced in the area. Also, the soil loses its naturally endowed attributes as well as productivity. The microorganisms found in plants and soil also fall prey to these toxins.
The Adverse Effect on Water
After contaminating soil, heavy metals such as mercury, barium, lead, and lithium, go deeper, making their way into lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers, ultimately giving birth to acidification and toxification in the water and killing marine and freshwater organisms, let alone harming ecosystems and disturbing biodiversity. Improper disposal of electronics that are not recycled properly leeches chemicals into the aquifer in many areas.
The Adverse Effect on Humans
As mentioned earlier, e-waste acts as a breeding ground of toxic components which are detrimental to the living species, be it humans or animals. Some of the adverse effects of these toxins on humans include kidney, liver, heart, brain, and skeletal system damage. The reproductive and nervous systems also become vulnerable, leading to congenital disabilities. Recycling electronics properly is essential for the overall health of people in the area of landfills, and dumps.
The Bottom Line Is: Now you’ve gained a profound insight into the significance of recycling old laptops, Macs, and computers. The responsibility befalls every concerned citizen to create awareness among the masses to narrow down e-waste production, and improper disposal. Lynnwood Computer Recycling does not charge a fee for our customers to recycle computers properly. Free computer recycling is a great incentive to properly dispose of computers, and e-waste.
Lynnwood Computer Recycling takes pride in being the vanguard and helps facilitate the locals in Lynnwood, and the Greater Seattle Area to recycle, refurbish, resell, and reuse old computers, laptops, Macbooks, and other electronic gadgets. If you’ve got old laptops and computers, or other electronics at your home or office and wonder what to do with them, you know who to contact.