If you’ve got old phones, e-readers and tablets lying around the house find out how to recycle electronics when you use Skip It’s waste clearance services.
Read on to discover which electronic companies have got the Greenpeace seal of approval for being environmentally friendly.
The Greenpeace guide to electronics
Back in 2017, environmental campaigning organisation Greenpeace produced a report on their Guide to Greener Electronics and analysed the top 17 world-leading tech companies that produce the leading consumer electronics in order to assess their environmental impact.
While smartphones, computers, tablets and laptops have helped to keep people and communities connected to the world around them and influence business in the 21st century, Greenpeace is concerned about the impact this revolution is having on the planet.
The problem that Greenpeace has uncovered is that many of these so-called ‘tech giants’ are using 19th century energy sources, using hazardous materials and dangerous mining practices to create products that don’t have a long lifecycle compared to the white goods industry.
The Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics that was published by Greenpeace USA has identified the environmental impact of the so-called ‘take-make-waste’ business model. This has been used by many technological device manufacturers extend beyond their use of hazardous e-waste and its impact on the environment.
In order to achieve a healthy score from Greenpeace, the 17 tech companies had to do well in three critical impact categories closely tied to responsible supply chain management across the electronics sector and product design. These three core categories were:
The 17 companies were also graded on their environmental commitment, advocacy efforts, performance and transparency. The guide focused on tech companies that produce tablets, smartphones and personal computers in North America, Europe and East Asia.
The companies that scored the highest were Fairphone and Apple, which received a B and a B- respectively. Dell and HP both scored a C+, Lenovo and Microsoft both scored a C- and Acer, LG, Sony and Google all scored a D+.
At the lower end of the spectrum, Huawei and Asus both scored a D, Samsung scored a D- and Amazon, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi all scored an F.
This means that the supply chain, product design and manufacturing processes of the tech industry, are responsible for fuelling climate change due to the large amounts of unsustainable energy that is required to produce each newer and better device.
For each newly sold electronic device, before a consumer has even used it, 80 per cent of the product’s carbon footprint has already been used up in the manufacturing process during its lifespan.
Interestingly, the figures start to reduce once the product has been made and is sold to a consumer. The greenhouse gas emissions caused by consumer usage of a personal electrical device is 16 per cent, with 3 per cent being used in transportation and a meagre 1 per cent used in recycling.
The Greenpeace report also looked at the environmental impact of the electronic waste that is a direct result of the current upgrade culture. In 2017, it was predicted that electronic waste from personal devices would reach 65.4 million metric tons, which is enough waste to bury San Francisco by 14 feet every year.
This report has not only highlighted the environmental concerns of the technology industry but also the serious need to step up the process of recycling old electronic equipment to lessen the negative impact on the planet. This is where Skip It comes in, as our services help you effectively recycle your old smartphones, tablets, e-readers, personal computers and more!
The 17 companies were also graded on their environmental commitment, advocacy efforts, performance and transparency. The guide focused on tech companies that produce tablets, smartphones and personal computers in North America, Europe and East Asia.
The companies that scored the highest were Fairphone and Apple, which received a B and a B- respectively. Dell and HP both scored a C+, Lenovo and Microsoft both scored a C- and Acer, LG, Sony and Google all scored a D+.
At the lower end of the spectrum, Huawei and Asus both scored a D, Samsung scored a D- and Amazon, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi all scored an F.
This means that the supply chain, product design and manufacturing processes of the tech industry, are responsible for fuelling climate change due to the large amounts of unsustainable energy that is required to produce each newer and better device.
For each newly sold electronic device, before a consumer has even used it, 80 per cent of the product’s carbon footprint has already been used up in the manufacturing process during its lifespan.
Interestingly, the figures start to reduce once the product has been made and is sold to a consumer. The greenhouse gas emissions caused by consumer usage of a personal electrical device is 16 per cent, with 3 per cent being used in transportation and a meagre 1 per cent used in recycling.
The Greenpeace report also looked at the environmental impact of the electronic waste that is a direct result of the current upgrade culture. In 2017, it was predicted that electronic waste from personal devices would reach 65.4 million metric tons, which is enough waste to bury San Francisco by 14 feet every year.
This report has not only highlighted the environmental concerns of the technology industry but also the serious need to step up the process of recycling old electronic equipment to lessen the negative impact on the planet. This is where Skip It comes in, as our services help you effectively recycle your old smartphones, tablets, e-readers, personal computers and more!
How to recycle your electronics
Many people often are unsure about how to recycle electronics in the UK and you would be surprised by the number of customers that ask us “can you recycle electronics?” when they contact us to arrange for domestic waste collection services.
Recycling electronics is the most responsible and environmentally friendly way to dispose of any items that are no longer working properly, from large white goods and appliances right the way down to your smartphone. So, if you’re in a pickle about how to recycle large electronics or whether you want to add your old smartphone to the pile of junk you’re clearing out of your loft, Skip It can help you!
At Skip It, the most common way you can recycle your old electronics is via our house clearance service, so you won’t’ have to hire a skip and have it sitting in your driveway for an extended period of time. You can recycle all of your old electronics with us such as smartphones, laptops, computers, tablets, TVs and other small household electrical items like microwaves, DIY or garden tools, kettles, hair dryers etc.
House clearance services are perfect for when you need a clear out and you want to be sure that your old electronics will be responsibly recycled. Typically our customers use this service when they are downsizing, moving house or clearing out a loft, but we are also happy to collect any household waste such as whitegoods, appliances, electronics as well as rubble and hardcore waste that you want to get recycled.
Whether you decide to go for our house clearance services, wait and load, skip hire or if you’re interested in finding our out skip hire pricing, you can be sure that we will recycle your large electronics.
Get in touch to find out how we can help you responsibly recycle your electronics, appliances and white goods by contacting our friendly team today.
