Is It Safe to Throw Away Electronics? No, and Here's Why

Technology doesn’t last forever. When your computer or phone is past its prime, it’s time to upgrade. But what happens to your old devices? You throw them out, right? This is the mindset that most people have, which is why the United States generates almost 7 million tons of e-waste.

E-waste is terrible for the environment and these devices release toxins. But you can’t blame people for throwing their devices in the trash — it’s an easy way to get rid of your unused electronics and won’t take up clutter.

Here’s why you should never throw away electronics and what to do instead.

Why You Shouldn’t Throw Away Electronics?

What damage can your unused electronics cause? Here are all of the ways that your devices can damage the environment.

Groundwater Damage

First, your electronics can make your drinking water toxic. Improper disposal of devices can lead to toxins leaking into groundwater.

These toxins include lead, mercury, and cadmium, which are all dangerous for living beings. They can cause damage such as developmental problems, reproductive issues, immune system damage, and even cancer.

These chemicals can leak into ponds, streams, and lakes, which is responsible for the drinking water needed for plants, animals, and yes — humans.

Marine Pollution

With that being said, e-waste destroys marine ecosystems. If your devices don’t sit on land, they will be dumped in the ocean. These same toxins can leak into the ocean, which disturbs biodiversity, deadly to marine organisms, and harms the marine environment.

Soil

When you throw away electronics, it ends up in the landfill. Electronics take a long time to decompose, and they will sit in the landfill until that occurs.

During this time, the toxins can leak into the environment, specifically the soil. The toxins come from the batteries and circuit boards.

These toxins can spread to plants and trees, potentially making their way to animal and human food supply.

Air

When you throw out your electronics, it’s burned in an incinerator. Most devices are made of materials such as glass, plastic, and metal. When these materials go through the incinerator, they give off dangerous emissions.

These emissions cause ozone depletion, pose threats to living organisms, and increase greenhouse gases. All of these factors also contribute to climate change and global warming.

How to Recycle Electronics

Sure, you now know that throwing away electronics isn’t good for the environment, but you don’t want your old devices sitting in your home. What’s the solution? Recycling.

How do you recycle your electronics? First, many tech companies have recycling or trade-in programs. For business tech companies, they may serve as an asset recovery provider. Many recycling companies also accept electronics.

If your device still works, you can always donate it to charity.