Sustainable handling of electronic waste

Sustainable handling of electronic waste

Nowadays, electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops or game consoles are being replaced more and more quickly in order to always be up to date with the latest technology. But what happens to the old devices? In many cases they end up in the trash and therefore represent an enormous proportion of the electronic waste produced worldwide. Sustainable handling of electronic waste is therefore of great importance not only from an ecological, but also from a social and economic perspective.

What is electronic waste and why is it a problem?

Electronic waste, also known as e-waste or WEEE (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment), includes all old or defective electrical and electronic devices. In addition to household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, this also includes consumer electronics such as televisions, computers and smartphones.

The problem isn't just the sheer volume of electronic waste generated every year. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 838,000 tons of waste electrical and electronic equipment were collected in Germany alone in 2019. A significant proportion of these devices do not end up in regular disposal, but are disposed of illegally or exported.

However, electronic waste contains a variety of dangerous substances. These include, for example, mercury in energy-saving lamps, lead and cadmium in computer monitors and flame retardants in plastic housings. If disposed of improperly, these can end up in the environment and harm both people and nature.

Sustainable handling as a solution approach

Sustainable handling of electronic waste can help mitigate these problems. The concept of sustainability includes both the avoidance of waste through more efficient products and longer usage cycles, as well as the environmentally friendly disposal and recycling of old devices. In the following sections we want to take a closer look at what this can look like in practice.

Electronic waste prevention

One of the most effective ways to reduce electronic waste is prevention, i.e. avoiding waste. This starts with the manufacture of the devices.

Resource efficiency and longevity

Manufacturers can make a contribution to avoiding scrap by paying attention to resource efficiency and the longevity of their products. This means that fewer and more environmentally friendly materials are used and the products are designed to break less quickly and last longer due to their quality or design.

Right to repair

Another important aspect is the right to repair. There are moves in the EU to require manufacturers to provide spare parts and to design devices so that they can be repaired by independent workshops or even users themselves. This would allow many devices that are thrown away because of minor defects to be repaired and their useful life extended.

Reuse and recycling of electronic waste

Once a device has become scrap, there are various ways to deal with it. The primary goal should always be continued use.

Second-hand market and refurbishing

Re-use is often worthwhile, especially with high-quality electronic devices. For example, a used smartphone that is no longer sufficient for the original owner may still be usable for someone else. Specialized companies offer so-called refurbished devices that have been prepared, tested and have a guarantee.

Recycling and recovery

If further use is no longer possible, electronic waste can be recycled. The devices are dismantled and the valuable raw materials such as gold, silver or copper are recovered. This is not only good for the environment, but also makes economic sense, as many of these resources are scarce and expensive.

Conclusion and outlook

Sustainable handling of electronic waste is a complex task that challenges everyone involved: manufacturers, consumers, waste disposal companies and politicians. There are encouraging approaches and developments to be seen. If we succeed in strengthening and expanding this further, electronic waste can become less of a burden and more of a resource.

We as consumers in particular have a crucial role to play. By making conscious purchasing decisions, repairing and reusing devices, and correctly disposing of electronic waste, we can make our contribution to a more sustainable electronics economy. And maybe we'll notice that it doesn't always have to be the latest device to stay up to date with technology.

-Information sources: Federal Statistical Office, European Commission, Federal Office for the Environment, Federal Environment Agency, consumer advice center, Stiftung Warentest