Technology has changed in the past 20 years—and many of us have seen it firsthand. At six years old, I was amazed at my grandma’s Sony TV. Its large screen and “crisp” picture felt state-of-the-art. It didn’t take long for the technology to improve, however, making way for sleeker models with higher resolution. The television I fondly remember is now considered clunky and outdated e-waste.

Like televisions, other electronics have gone through countless iterations through the years. As the technology rapidly advances, it feels like a scramble to get the latest version. For instance, the release of a new iPhone puts pressure on consumers to keep up before their model becomes obsolete.

The buy and discard system causes more environmental harm than most people are aware of. This begs the question: What actually happens to the appliances and electronics we no longer need?

Where does E-waste Go?

E-waste is the term dubbed for old electronics. When the next best version comes out, there are a few options for outdated tech.

1. It Gets Sent to a Landfill

A whopping 85% of e-waste gets sent to landfills. Piling up our old junk can’t be that bad. After all, it should be confined to one spot… right?

That’s not usually the case. Although landfills put a protective sheet of plastic over the ground to prevent leakage, it’s by no means foolproof. Discarded stereos, copiers, fax machines and televisions still leak toxic chemicals into the soil, which then pollute the groundwater. As the appliances sit and slowly decompose, they release methane gas into the air which wreaks havoc on our atmosphere.

2. It gets Incinerated

The waste that landfills can hold is limited. To save space, excess e-waste gets incinerated. This process releases harmful chemicals into the air like cadmium, lead, and mercury. Methane gas, once again, gets released in dangerous amounts.

Incineration can be a useful way to reduce the volume of e-waste and recover precious metals if done in a controlled environment. Unfortunately, underdeveloped countries lack the facilities and are subject to the illegal dumping of materials from more developed countries. This leads to hazardous and unregulated conditions that harm the environment and the health of locals, especially children.

3. It’s recycled

Worldwide, only 20%-30% of e-waste gets recycled. The low percentage could be attributed to the following factors: unawareness of the environmental damage caused by dumping e-waste, confusion on how to properly recycle, or the convenience of using a dump.

4. It Gets Reused

Many electronics are thrown away while still being perfectly functional. If you find yourself with outdated tech that still works, consider donating or selling it.

Recycle the Right Way

Electronic recycling or “e-cycling” varies depending on where you live. Some states offer free e-cycling. Others charge a small fee depending on the size and type of item. In both cases, the electronics should be free of open wires and not pose any health or safety hazards. Search your state + e-cycling to see what options are available to you.

Additionally, Best Buy, Goodwill, and Staples allow electronic drop-offs.

Best Buy

Accepts TV’s, computers, cell phones, vacuums, fans, keyboards, mice, ink and toner, amps, speaker systems, curling irons, calculators, e-readers, video game consoles, digital cameras, lenses, memory cards, portable GPS, and more.  Available at all stores.

Staples

Accepts copiers, coffee brewers, computer speakers, cordless phones, digital projectors, fax machines, flash drives, gaming consoles, label makers, laminators, laptops, MP3 players, modems, routers, scanners, small servers, stereo receivers, tablets, webcams and more.

Goodwill

Accepts televisions, monitors, computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, ereaders, and portable DVD players. Items accepted vary from location to location.

Be sure to check the website first before donating to be sure your items are eligible.

Start by Reducing

Prudent consumerism is arguably more important than recycling because reducing the amount of products you purchase lessens the load on recyling facilities and landfills. According to a report published by Step Initiative, “Under the business as usual scenario, the amount of e-waste will be more than doubled by 2050.”

If possible, look for products with certifications such as ENERGY STAR or EPEAT, which indicate that the product has been designed and manufactured with the environment in mind.

Moreover, products have increasingly short lifespans. Choosing a cheaper device may seem more economical, but in the long run choosing a high-quality and durable product will not only save you money but help save the planet.

Small Steps Really Do Help

Making sense of all the factors that contribute to climate change and pollution is overwhelming. As consumers, we should do our absolute best to make wise decisions.

On the other hand, if we sometimes make mistakes, we’re not single-handedly destroying the environment. Big companies exploiting our land and resources for profit are the ones who desperately need to make changes. It’s important to do the best you can, but never feel defeated for not being perfect.