E-waste is waste from discarded electronics devices, and often includes a mix of precious materials, basic heavy elements and hazardous chemicals. Only 20% of the world’s e-waste is properly recycled, and most of it is dumped in landfills and can eventually contaminate the surrounding environment.

Consumers often shoulder the responsibility of recycling e-waste. But manufacturers can also adopt more sustainable practices and recycling efforts to combat e-waste. This includes implementing recycling programs, using sustainable materials and manufacturing processes and shifting to a circular economy.

Implement recycling programs

Figure 1: E-waste from discarded electronics devices.One way to combat e-waste is by halting the shipment of e-waste to overseas landfills and integrating in-house recycling programs. Manufacturers can manage their e-waste and forage for elements that can be reused, recycled or responsibly disposed of. They can also boost e-waste recycling by implementing companywide recycling programs, and set up designated bins for consumers to bring their e-waste to be recycled. These programs encourage customers to return old or broken products to their source, where they can then be recycled, refurbished or stripped of usable materials.

Manufacturing ecofriendly products

Companies should take steps to create more ecofriendly products, starting with the materials used to create them. Integrating the use of recyclable and eco-friendly materials is key to reducing the amount of produced e-waste.

Sustainable manufacturing includes using manufacturing processes that minimize negative environmental impacts and conserve energy and natural resources, while keeping employees, communities and consumers safe. Manufacturers need to look beyond optimizing efficiency and toward creating a smaller footprint on the environment. They should also be constantly evaluating their low-waste or ecofriendly status. While these are not directly related to recycling e-waste, adopting these practices will lower the amount of e-waste produced over time.

Adopting a circular economy

Adopting a circular economy is perhaps the most effective method for reducing e-waste. A circular economy’s goal is to eliminate waste and the constant use of resources. A closed loop system relies on reuse, sharing, repairing, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling. All waste essentially becomes food to feed the system. As such, in a circular economy manufacturers should be constantly looking into ways to reduce energy and water usage, emissions and waste generation, including e-waste.

As technology evolves, parts and machines are becoming obsolete faster than ever before. Instead of disposing of obsolete parts, companies should be looking at other ways to reuse these parts on their manufacturing floor. Implementing frequent machinery life cycle assessments enables companies to ensure that their machinery is operating properly and the process they are using is producing the least amount of waste. This analysis technique focuses on the environmental impact of all stages of a product’s life. Companies following this guideline also should opt for a used or reconditioned part when their equipment fails. Not only is this good for the environment, it also saves corporate resources in the long run.

E-waste is a major source of pollution and contributor to humanity’s impact on the environment. Manufacturers can start taking control of e-waste disposal by considering the strategies above, which are positive for both the environment, consumers and their own bottom lines.