Choose the Right E-waste Recycling Partner by Siji Anto, Commercial Head - Enviroserve

The rapid pace at which technology advances comes with the added expense of discarding older technology. The world is fascinated with new models of electronic devices just after they are on display and the need to replace our old gadgets is hatched. Every upgrade means a downgrade for our old devices – usually to the electronic scrap heap and as the global e-waste surges to 57.4 Million Tons in 2021 (WEEE Forum), consumers need to be conscious of discarding potentially hazardous obsolete equipment in an environmentally friendly manner.

People in countries with high income per capita tend to be major electronics consumers as they are in a habit of replacing their old devices as soon as they get their hands on the latest ones. Companies purposefully prepare for product obsolescence by changing the design or software and withdrawing support for earlier models, making it cheaper and easier to buy a new product than to repair an old one. Everyone has that box or a drawer filled with old cell phones, obsolete chargers, broken tablets and defunct MP3 players. It’s our personal piles of electronic waste lying around, growing slowly, without being noticeable. The lifespan of electronic devices is becoming shorter and shorter, and the list of our gadgets and gizmos is growing at an accelerated pace.

The Sustainabilist reports that along with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, UAE is one of the biggest generators of e-waste in the Middle East and Gulf region. Being a country with high per capita income, UAE not only gives access to cutting-edge technology to its inhabitants, but it also takes responsibility for ensuring that everyone has a better tomorrow. According to the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda, the UAE government established an Integrated Waste Management system, which aims to divert 75 percent of total municipal solid waste (including e-waste) away from landfills by 2021. Private groups that promote and manage appropriate e-waste recycling are also supported by the municipalities of the seven Emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. One such facility is Enviroserve, approved by Dubai Municipality, and endorsed by the Ministry of Environment for its recycling methods. The Swiss technology used by Enviroserve treats e-waste with zero to air and zero to landfill. With a capacity to treat 39,000 tons of electronics annually, Enviroserve spearheads electrical and electronic waste recycling for Dubai and the MENA region.

Segregating our used electronics that we no longer need, are outdated or beyond repair, we should call an integrated waste recycler like Enviroserve for collection, ensure your data is being destroyed securely and deposit them at the facility for environment-friendly recycling. With proper regulations in place for individuals as well as organizations, and certified recyclers leading the way, e-waste will become less of an environmental problem across the globe.

For any E-waste Disposal related queries, you can write to me at [email protected].