The management of electronic waste has become a key issue in the fight against environmental pollution. According to a report from UNIDO, only 3% of electronic waste in Latin America is collected through formal channels and treated in an environmentally sound manner. There is no certainty about the remaining 97%, which may include \$1.7 billion in recoverable materials per year. In this sense, Earth Day is an opportunity to reflect on our actions and their impact on the environment.
From computers, game consoles, tablets, monitors, and cell phones to appliances, GPS devices, cables, and chargers, there are many unused electronic devices that tend to accumulate in homes, offices, and even vehicles. No matter how old or damaged they are, they should never be thrown in the trash, as they can seriously harm the environment or end up in a landfill.
Reusing, recycling, or donating electronic devices is a concrete way to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable circular economy. Kingston Technology Company, a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, proposes different alternatives to take action this Earth Day and make a big difference in the fight against environmental pollution.
Extending the lifespan
One way to avoid the constant replacement of electronic equipment is by maximizing its lifespan through a simple tune-up or by upgrading storage and memory to achieve greater speed, durability, and energy efficiency.
Personal computers and laptops, mobile phones, and video game consoles can be upgraded with solid-state drives (SSD) and higher-capacity flash memory cards, and faster memory, improving performance and extending their lifespan. This initiative has a positive impact on the environment, as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions related to the production and disposal of electronic devices.
If the replaced device is a SATA SSD, M.2 SSD, or a hard drive that is still working, instead of discarding it, it can be used as an external storage unit. If it’s not possible to reuse the replaced component, you can consider some of the alternatives mentioned below.
Resale
In some cases, selling old devices is a good option to get cash to invest in the latest model. Listing the item on a resale app or website is another way to recycle old electronic products, as it allows you to find buyers willing to refurbish them or take them as they are.
Donation or recycling
If electronic equipment can no longer be upgraded, instead of storing it in a drawer or leaving it in a corner, the best option is to take it to collection and donation centers where it will be properly handled for recycling or reuse, ensuring that components are reused and do not end up in landfills or incinerated.
If the destination is recycling, every electronic device should be cleaned—and not just dusted. All information should also be deleted, as it may contain confidential data and photos that, if in the wrong hands, could cause major problems.
“At Kingston, we are committed to doing our part to reduce the impact of electronic waste on the environment. On this Earth Day, we not only invite our users to recycle or donate their electronic devices, but also to consider upgrading their hardware with Kingston SSDs and memory. Together we can make a big difference in the fight against environmental pollution and extend the lifespan of our electronic devices,” said Geraldine Stack, Business Development Manager for Flash and SSD at Kingston for Latin America.
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About Kingston Technology Company, Inc.
From big data to laptops and PCs, including IoT-based devices like smart technology and wearables, Kingston helps manufacturers integrate solutions that are used to live, work, and play. The world’s largest PC manufacturers and cloud storage companies rely on Kingston to meet their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels the technology the world uses every day. We go beyond our products to have a broader vision, meet our customers’ needs, and deliver solutions that make a difference. For more information about how Kingston is with you, visit Kingston.com.
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