Governments and businesses need to do more to alleviate this disaster, but there’s a lot you, as an ordinary consumer, can do to help. One way to do this is to upcycle your old gadgets. In this article, we’ll show you how.
Understanding E-Waste
Before we dive into some nifty upcycling ideas, let’s consider the global e-waste conundrum.
E-waste refers to broken or unwanted equipment that has electronic components such as circuit boards, cables, plugs and cords. The most common sources of e-waste are televisions, computers, household appliances, mobile phones etc. Per capita, the UK is one of the worst e-waste generators in the world.
Many computers and smartphones contain rare metals (such as gold, silver, platinum and cobalt) that are expensive to extract and harmful to the environment. As these old devices end up in landfills, finite supplies are depleted, forcing mining companies to dig deeper to get more metals.
Most e-waste also contains harmful heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium, as well as dangerous chemicals like flame retardants. If these toxic substances seep into the soil and groundwater, they can pollute the environment and harm our health.
How to recycle e-waste in the UK
As you can see, recycling e-waste is essential for all environmentally conscious Brits, but how do you responsibly dispose of gadgets you no longer need?
First, remember that reuse is always better than recycling (we’ll explain why in the next section). See if you can reuse your unwanted e-waste with one of our upcycling ideas. If that’s not possible, consider donating or selling your unwanted devices.
Some councils in the UK will collect your e-waste directly from your doorstep. There are restrictions so don’t just throw your broken equipment in the bin. Contact your local council to find out if they offer this service and how to take advantage of it.
These initiatives offer a greener alternative to standard e-waste recycling and help foster a circular, low-carbon economy.
The dark side of e-waste recycling
Recycling e-waste is better than sending it to a landfill, but the process is not without its problems.
High labour costs in the UK mean recycling companies export huge amounts of e-waste to developing countries in Asia and Africa, where wages are much lower. Weak labour laws can expose local workers, including children, to hazardous substances while sorting the parts.
The problem isn’t just with worker safety: poor, low-cost disposal methods, such as open burning, increase global carbon emissions and contribute to the release of harmful neurotoxins into the atmosphere.
How to Minimize E-Waste
There’s no perfect way to dispose of e-waste, so the best thing you can do is reduce the amount you generate.
Do you need the latest model smartphone? Or is your current device enough for your requirements? Don’t go with the trends by upgrading your technology every time a new model is released.
Instead of buying a low-quality gadget that you will soon need to upgrade, consider buying a higher-quality device for the future. When it’s time to upgrade, selling your old gadget can delay disposal for a few years. Similarly, buying second-hand technology can help minimize e-waste.
A better option than regular e-waste recycling is to return your old equipment to the manufacturer. Reputable companies will reuse the technology in a more sustainable way.
Finally, by upcycling technology, you can avoid recycling e-waste altogether and give your gadgets a new life.
Inspiring technology upcycling ideas
Now that we know the most pressing e-waste issues, here are some handy upcycling ideas: What is upcycling? The term means turning unwanted items (in this case, electronics) into something useful.
Smartphone alarm clock
Instead of throwing out your old smartphone, repurpose it into a bedside alarm clock. Old alarm clocks have fallen out of favor as smartphones have taken over the alarm clock role, so many people would prefer the feel of vintage technology.
Cooking:
- Place your device on a smartphone stand.
- Plug your smartphone into a nearby power outlet.
- Install a dedicated alarm clock app. Alarm clock for meor use apps that come pre-installed with your operating system.
- If desired, set the screen to stay on at all times.
- Enable voice commands to set or disarm your alarm clock from a distance.
Smartphone security camera
You can also turn an old smartphone into an improvised security camera to monitor a particular area remotely (though again, this will need to be placed near a power outlet for long-term use).
Cooking:
- Position your phone so that its rear camera (which has a higher resolution than the selfie camera) faces the direction you want.
- Plug your smartphone into a power socket.
- Install and run a security camera app such as Alfred.
Tablet-type digital photo frame
There’s no need to throw out your outdated tablet: even a frustratingly slow device can work just fine as a digital photo frame. This upcycling trick can also be done with a smartphone, but tablets have larger screens, making it a better choice.
Cooking:
- Use the tablet stand to position your tablet wherever you want.
- Plug the device into the mains power supply.
- Use the Photos app built into your operating system or your preferred third-party software to create a looping slideshow of your favorite photos.
- Save power by setting your screen to stay on all the time or turn off every night.
Tablet Video Conference Station
Remember when the Jetsons gathered around a “videophone” to chat face-to-face in real time? You can do the same with a dedicated video calling center made from recycled tablets.
Older, slower tablets might not have the processing power needed for smooth calls, so if this is the case, consider using a photo frame instead. This idea also works with smartphones, but a more powerful tablet is a better option.
Cooking:
- Use the tablet stand to position your tablet in a convenient location.
- Plug the tablet into a power source.
- Install and set up your favorite video conferencing app, such as Zoom, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Skype.
- You can set your tablet’s screen to turn off when not in use, or configure it to work as a digital photo frame between calls.
Tablet e-reader
Why buy a brand new Kindle when you can convert your old tablet into a dedicated e-reader?
The Android and iOS versions of Kindle and Kobo support eBooks and audiobooks. The downside is that they use backlit displays that aren’t easy on the eyes. Install a blue light filter to help calm your body clock when it’s time to bed.
Cooking:
- Remove unnecessary programs from your tablet.
- Install your favorite e-book or audiobook app.
- Enable a built-in blue light filter (or download and use a third-party app)
- Keep an upcycled e-reader by your bedside table.
PC Media Center
Got an old computer with a huge media library? One way to upcycle your PC is to connect it to your TV and use it as a makeshift media server.
Cooking:
- Place your computer closer to your television.
- Plug the device into a power source.
- Connect your PC to your TV using an HDMI cable.
- Copy your video and music collection to your PC.
- Use your preferred media player app.
- To conserve power, set your computer to turn off when not in use.
TV Aquarium
There’s nothing better than watching fish swim leisurely to relax after a long day. Setting up and maintaining an aquarium can be a tedious and expensive task, but a virtual aquarium is free.
In winter, you can turn your aquarium into a digital fireplace to create a warm and cozy atmosphere, and of course you can also use the display as a digital photo frame.
Cooking:
- Place your old TV in a suitable location and plug it in.
- Connect the TV to a recycled computer or a USB thumb drive with videos of the aquarium.
- Smart TVs can play videos directly from the internet
- Play the video in a loop.
summary
Recycling e-waste significantly reduces the environmental impact of old technology, and manufacturer-driven programs such as HP Planet Partners offer even greener alternatives.
Still, the best way to minimise your environmental impact is to reduce your e-waste: review your unnecessary purchases and try some of the easy upcycling ideas outlined above.