Our own worst enemy

I was looking at my desk recently and I realized that I am as much a part of the problem as anyone else in the electronic waste concern. I have numerous gadgets and devices that I use in varying frequency. Looking at the mess of "cool stuff" I have accumulated I realized that I am contributing to the problem by buying these things.

After a few soul searching minutes I did an inventory of what I have and what I actually use. Only about 15% of what I own are items I use regularly and the rest fall into the category of novelty or just something that allows me to be lazier than I should be about certain tasks. Taking stock of my junk made me realize that there are probably hundreds of thousands of people just like me out there that have a bunch of gadgets that make life perceptibly easier but in reality just contribute to the ever increasing electronic waste problem.

I am not expecting anyone to go out and recycle all of their neat gadgets and novelty items that don't "serve a purpose." While that would be noble, let's be real here. You bought it for a reason and you paid good money for it. I don't intend to dispose of my technology but I am now far more aware of the situation moving forward. Be cognizant of these concerns before making the purchase. That is where we can slow this process. If the makers of such items have less incentive to produce (i.e. Lower sales figures) then the problem will work itself out naturally.

Be aware of what drives the market and you can affect the front of the funnel rather than the tail end. The best way to effect change in this is to hit the market earlier in the purchasing cycle. Prevent the mess from being made rather than clean it up.

Wiping the Slate Clean

We talk a lot about proper device disposal but after a careful look back, I don't believe we ever took the time to list some of the steps you can take to protect yourself and your privacy before disposing of your device. Below is a list of steps you should take before sending your device to a reclamation site or a drop location.

Wipe your device - Be sure, if your device is functional, to reset it to factory settings and erase contacts, photos and other information. Obviously, you want to back up important data that you may need but removing that information from your device is important. Follow the steps for your device listed below:

• Apple iOS Devices: Settings | General | Reset | Erase All Content and Settings 
• Android Devices: Settings | Privacy | Factory Data Reset
• Windows Phones: Settings | About | Reset Your Phone
• BlackBerry Phones: Options | Security Options | Security Wipe

Remove any SIM or removable media card from your device. To avoid issues with your carrier, remove your SIM card and dispose of it. Some providers will take the old card and dispose of it for you. Also collect your micro SD or other removable media from the device. These can be reused and may have information you want to keep. 

Follow these steps prior to disposing of your device and you will protect your privacy and your friend's and family's information. 

Proper Disposal

A common misconception that many people have is that any type of electronic can be disposed of as electronic waste. Just because it has electronic components in it does not mean it is e waste. There are several categories and individual items that are generally accepted and some that are prohibited for various reasons.

These are generally acceptable because there are no regulatory barriers in place on disposal and collection.

• CRT Monitors
•  LCD Monitors
•  Notebook Desktops
•  Key Boards
•  Mice
•  Printers
•  DVD Players
•  Fax Machines
•  Copiers
•  Scanners
•  PDAs
•  Memory
•  Hard Drives
•  Televisions
•  Plasmas
•  Networking Gear
•  Servers
•  Circuit Boards
•  SPAM Routers
•  Circuit Cards
•  Test Equipment
•  Gauges
•  Stereo Equipment
•  Small appliances
•  Radios (Communication Equipment)
•  Cable Assemblies
•  Data/Technology Equipment
•  Process Control Equipment
•  All IT Infrastructure
•  Telecom Equipment
•  Medical Equipment with NO BIO Hazards
•  Generators
•  All Business/Office Consumer Electronics
•  Cell Phones 

There is also a list of prohibited items that are taken by some locations but not others based on their regulatory compliance. Most of the denied items are refused because of hazards to those collecting or because of the laws surrounding the items themselves. Some examples are items that have any sort of compressed gas tank, biohazard or hazmat items, anything that contains a chemical requiring an MSDS, and liquids of any kind. 

Knowing what to and not to drop at a collection location is important. Check with your local collection site and see what they can accept. Keep informed and you can make a difference. 

One small step

It's hard to believe that 2016 is already here. A week into the new year and the new year is filled with promises of new innovation and technological advancement. We are already seeing release dates for the next generation of smart devices and wearables to be hitting the market in 2016. Yet the state of recycling of electronic waste is still not caught up to the rate of consumption of these new devices.

Fortunately, we have seen a marked improvement in social awareness of the effect that this has on the environment as a whole and on the cost of goods in the mobile device market. There have been many new initiatives that were implemented in 2015 that have forced the issue into public view. Many of the nations that are used for off shore dumping have put in place new regulations on dealing with electronic waste and reclamation of the usable materials.

These may seem like small insignificant steps, but the truth of the matter is that even slowing the decline is progress. At some point we will hit a point of equilibrium and the steps taken will be a hallmark of progress in preserving the environment. One small step in the right direction is the beginning of any journey. The world seems to be taking that step, however small it may seem today, towards the right path.