As a consequence of our modern conveniences, we continue to pollute our world and harm the environment. All sorts of activities you engage in unknowingly produce all sorts of waste, but the lesser-known and talked about one is e-waste from all our modern devices and appliances. Every year, millions of tons of e-waste are generated, and a large percentage of it consists of appliances. Some of these appliances contain all sorts of harmful materials or can be very hard to recycle. Let’s take a look at some of these environmental impacts and how you can responsibly dispose of these appliances.
Resource Depletion
A huge consequence of the modern economy is the amount of resource depletion it causes. Our appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, air-conditioners, and washing machines are made up of all sorts of rare metals, plastics, and metals that are finite in quantity. Normally, this shouldn’t be a problem if these materials were being recycled and these appliances being reused, but most people just dump their appliances after a fault and then go on to buy new ones.
This resource depletion also affects water as water is used for cooling and several other processes that are used in the plants were the materials are refined and the appliances are made.
Release of Toxic Substances
The processing and manufacturing of these appliances can have toxic chemicals as a waste product, and in some cases, the appliances can release toxic substances if it isn’t disposed of properly. Materials like lead, CFC(chlorofluorocarbons), arsenic, and even mercury are just some of that can be released by some of these old appliances. Lithium and cobalt, which are key components of most batteries and modern appliances, are also known to be very toxic and harmful when they aren’t disposed of properly. Some of these substances can leak into the air, causing all sorts of environmental and health problems. They can also seep into groundwater and decimate entire ecosystems.
Increase Ecological Footprint
Improper disposal of e-waste also raises the ecological footprint of mankind. Never mind the toxic chemicals that decimate ecosystems, killing plants, animals, and people, the activities required to sustain the need for more of them deplete water sources and pollute the air.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Appliance waste also causes greenhouse gas emissions in more ways than one. Old refrigerators and air conditioning systems make use of CFCs, which are terrible greenhouse gases, and when some of these old refrigerators that still contain these chemicals aren’t disposed of properly, then they can leak as greenhouse gases. This is not only true for older ones but also newer ones, as they all release greenhouse gases like CO2 one way or the other. However, the greatest way in which e-waste raises greenhouse gas emissions is through its impact on the industry. The increased demand for new appliances to replace the old ones without recycling them means that more energy will be needed to mine, refine, and process materials into products.
Landfill Spill
Landfills have a function that has already been far stressed by all these e-waste. When you dispose of all your old refrigerators, TVs, and air-conditioners, they are sent to landfills to be recycled or just disassembled. The problem now is that there is just too much of them there that landfills are beginning to get overloaded and when this happens, this waste can spill into unwanted areas. Plastic, metals, and chemical substances can easily overflow into rivers and other water bodies.
Toxic/ Materials Likely To Harm The Environment
- Sulfur from lead-acid batteries.
- Mercury from old computers and paints.
- Polyvinyl chloride from electrical wiring and insulation.
- Lead from batteries.
- Cadmium from semiconductors.
- CFCs from old refrigerators and air-conditioners.
How To Dispose of Your Appliances Responsibly
The best way to dispose of your appliances responsibly is to trust a junk removal contractor that specializes in eco-friendly practices. Trash Bandits Junk Removal can provide this exact quality to property owners across New Hampshire! We’ll ensure that your appliances never make a bad environmental impact. Contact us today to get rid of your old appliances!