It’s no secret that electronic or E-waste in San Diego and other major cities is one of the most rapidly growing waste streams in the US as well as worldwide. According to UNEP (the UN Environment Program), a record 53.6 million metric tons of E-waste with an estimated value of $57 billion was generated on a global scale in 2020. Nearly 7 million metric tons was generated in the US in 2019 (2020 statistics not reported yet). At Eckert’s Moving and Storage, we are aware of the issues with E-waste and are sharing the following information to all those concerned about the problem.
What is E-waste?
E-waste is defined as any discarded electrical or electronic equipment, including items that are broken or still working, and either donated to charity resellers such as Goodwill or Salvation army or are thrown in the garbage. Furthermore, in many cases where an item doesn’t get sold, it will eventually wind up in the garbage as well. Due to the toxic chemicals that are naturally leached from the metal components within these items, idm cracked E-waste in San Diego as well as any other city is considered dangerous to people and the environment. To ensure that all electronic waste is safely disposed off when you move, let us know and our team will inform you about the procedure or allow us to do it for you.
What are some of the more common E-waste items?
There are 5 different categories of E-waste items including communications and information technology (IT) devices, electronic utilities, home appliances, home entertainment devices, and medical and office equipment. You may not believe this, but there are over 30 different E-waste in San Diego items that you might have in your home including the following:
- Blu-ray players
- cell phones
- circuit boards
- computer Monitors
- copiers
- desktop computers
- diabetic testing equipment
- DVD’s
- electric cookers
- electrical Cords
- fans
- fax machines
- FitBits
- hard drives
- blood pressure and heart monitors
- heaters
- heating Pads
- home entertainment devices
- lamps
- laptops
- microwaves
- night lights
- printers
- remote controls
- smart lights
- smart watches
- smartphones
- stereos
- TV’s
- Television remotes
- treadmills
- video game systems
Ironically, with technological advances occurring almost daily, a lot of devices still work perfectly but are considered obsolete. VCR’s were replaced by DVD players which are now getting replaced by Blu-ray players. Whenever a better version of an electrical or electronic product is created, the one that it replaces becomes E-waste in San Diego and other cities throughout the US.
Why is E-waste dangerous to the environment and eventually humans?
Electronic waste contains a broad assortment of toxic chemical components that are harmful to the environment and pose a threat to your health and well-being. These include:
- barium
- cadmium
- lead
- lithium.
- mercury
- polybrominated flame retardants
If E-waste is mishandled when it is being disposed of, these chemicals will wind up in the air we breathe as well as our soil and water. Even worse is the fact that E-waste is oftentimes illegally imported by countries that have no laws regarding the disposal and handling of it. Once it’s in another country, it usually gets dumped. Although valuable materials are occasionally recovered, the working conditions are extremely hazardous.
What is the potential negative environmental and health effects attributed to E-waste?
The improper disposal of E-waste in San Diego, or any other city for that matter, can have a negative impact on the environment and threaten people’s health. For example, E-waste that gets deposited in our landfills will leach into the natural water supply when it’s exposed to moisture (e.g., rain, snow, and ice). Those chemicals could wind up in your home’s water supply. The potential negative health effects include damage to the brain, heart, kidney, liver, and skeletal systems.
How can you properly dispose or get rid of E-waste?
Fortunately, there is a lot that people can do to ensure that E-waste is handled properly. Just think of the “4 R’s” – Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle. The easiest way to reduce the amount of E-waste that is out there is to make less of it. Rather than throwing out that gaming console or old TV, why not consider, donating it, re-gifting it, or selling it? Another alternative would be to get the item repaired if this can be done. Recycling should be your last resort. Just make sure you do it properly. And if you are unable to do it, let us know and our team can help you.
To learn more about E-waste in San Diego and what you can do about it, call Eckert’s Moving and Storage at (888) 274-7230 or e-mail us at www.eckertsmoving.com. Additionally, if you are moving and need any assistance, call us today.