Electronic waste, popularly referred to by many people as e-waste, is waste that is generated from electronic products that are no longer being used, are inoperative or have simply become obsolete. This type of waste presents a big problem because it may contain hazardous substances, such as lead, asbestos and mercury that shouldn't be released into the environment.

Thankfully, there are many e-waste recycling centres in Australia to ensure the waste is disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. Regardless of this, many people in the country are still not well-versed with the benefits of e-waste recycling. For the sake of increasing public awareness about the importance of e-waste recycling, here are some things you should know. 

E-waste recycling minimises the amount of solid waste sent to landfills.

With the infiltration of cheap products on the electronics market, large volumes of e-waste are being produced every day. The waste accounts for a significant percentage of the solid waste that requires to be landfilled. Each trip made to the landfill leads to a considerable reduction in the amount of land space available for solid waste disposal. Given the ever-increasing pressure on land and its fixed supply, every effort directed toward minimising the quantity of solid waste that ends up at landfill sites is most welcome. E-waste recycling helps reduce the amount of solid waste that is deposited at landfills every day, preserving precious land for more productive use. 

E-waste recycling gives otherwise useless electronics a new lease of life.

An old, unwanted radio, obsolete television set, or inoperative desktop computer might not be of any value to its owner, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is completely useless and valueless. E-waste generally contains several different types of valuable materials like gold, silver, copper, aluminium and plastics that can be salvaged and repurposed. The recovered materials can be used as raw material in the production of new electronic products, thus conserving the energy and natural resources required to manufacture using virgin resources. This way, there will be continuity in the utilisation of already existing materials instead of simply landfilling. Who knows? Some of the electronic devices you are currently using in your home or business may be partially made from salvaged e-waste.

Making more and more individuals aware of the benefits of e-waste recycling is key to ensuring greater acceptance and appreciation for this global practice, so play your part by spreading the word.

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