But electronics can be dangerous: they can contain flammable batteries, toxic mercury, or greenhouse gases like HCFCs. If not handled safely, they can harm the persons handling the waste, and pollute soil, water and air. While, in developed nations, e-waste recycling is highly regulated, over 80% of this e-waste actually gets transported to developing countries, meaning it’s still at risk of being handled by unregulated recyclers. While they are very skilled at extracting the metals, they often lack the tools and equipment to mitigate the toxic components inside.

Luckily, there is a growing movement towards building a modern infrastructure for e-waste recycling in these regions.

Building a global infrastructure

Companies like refurbed are at the forefront, helping solve the e-waste problem, contributing towards solutions that mitigate the negative impact. But how exactly do you build a global infrastructure, and how does it benefit us all?

It all starts with designing a good process. Together with international and local organisations, a sustainable practice for the collection, processing and disposal of e-waste for each country is designed. Not every country is the same, and it is important to ensure that the livelihood of those living and working with e-waste is improved and not put at risk.

That is why secondly, the goal is to create professional recyclers. By educating workers, equipping them with safety gear, and installing up-to-date technologies for safe dismantling and recycling, they become part of a sustainable ecosystem.

Finally, their activities need to be documented. This ensures that the recyclers, local authorities and also international partners can track what is going on, and how to further improve the system.

Stop landfilling, start recirculating

Today, we are taking the first steps in building the infrastructure, so that e-waste never has to end up in a landfill again. With every day on which we successfully implement a new part of this modern infrastructure, we make sure that all the resources we would usually lose to landfill, are recirculated. In doing so, we proceed step-by-step towards a circular economy.

By involving the local population in developing countries in this recirculation model, they also gain the full benefits. They achieve a positive impact on their:

1. Local environment: by preventing hazardous materials from contaminating soil and water sources, preserving the environment for future generations.
2. Economy: by recovering all valuable materials inside the devices, like gold, silver, and copper, reducing the need for mining and conserving natural resources.
3. Employment: by creating job opportunities in waste collection, sorting, and processing, contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction.
4. Community: by fostering a sense of ownership and environmental stewardship, empowering individuals to make a positive impact.

Leading the charge…and change!

We know that even refurbished electronics will someday become waste - it is inevitable. Therefore, beyond extending the lifespan of devices, and reducing the demand for new products, it is extremely important to mitigate the e-waste we generate. By partnering with Minimise, we are able to contribute to e-waste recirculation and minimize its harmful effects on the environment.