Mumbai: It is difficult to envision life without smartphones, GPS navigation systems, laptops, and other electronic devices. At the same time, environmentalists, state and local governments, and even the United Nations are seriously considering how to reduce e-waste in light of the exponential growth in the volume of used electronics being wasted.
As we are all celebrating World Environment Day (June 5), e-waste management is indeed an important topic to discuss. E-waste is a significant environmental issue that affects everyone in the world and poses considerable health risks to anyone who handles it carelessly.
Eliminating these environmental risks is only one aspect of reducing e-waste. Recycling components from e-waste consumes a lot less energy than producing new ones, therefore minimising e-waste also helps us save resources and lowers the amount of energy required to produce these items.
Talk to any family member or friend who recently purchased a new smartphone or laptop or who simply intends to dispose of their old ones about recycling it.
Also Read: 21-Year-Old Student From Assam Is Creating Art Through E-Waste
Sharing your information about the negative effects of hoarding or even throwing away those devices is equally crucial because it offers individuals motivation to follow your recommendations.
There are many ways if you look at the management of e-waste.
Purchase products with longer shelf life: This will reduce the time of purchasing new ones or replacing them. You will be able to use it for a longer time.
Repair old device: Rather than going for a new one, prefer to get your devices repaired as long as it works. Rely less on devices: Look for multipurpose gadgets if you don’t need any more. Additionally, inform your others also on the risks associated with e-waste.
Opt for eco-friendly devices: Purchase products with energy-saving stars or those which assure save energy consumption.
Security reasons: Another reason not to throw your electronic gadgets carelessly is the fact that your personal data will still be there even if you erase it. Before disposing of your device, recycling businesses can thoroughly clean it, making it hard for cybercriminals to access such information.
Teach your kids about e-waste management and tell them about the benefits of recycling them
Recycling all used devices is essential since improperly disposing of e-waste is now getting riskier, particularly as the amount of e-waste has grown.
Also Read: Climate Warrior: 23-year-old Recycles 10 Plastic Bags And 12 Plastic Bottles Into A Pair Of Sneakers
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
