There are well-known advantages to living in an urban area, and these advantages largely explain the significantly higher population density in such locations compared to rural locations. Some of the said advantages include the following:
- Networking Opportunities
- Job Opportunities
- Cultural Diversity
- Public Services
- Improved Healthcare & Educational Services
- 24/7 Lifestyle
That being said, the devil is also in the details, meaning that those in urban locations also have communal issues. It turns out that several urban locations have an e-waste (electronic waste) crisis. Toronto happens to be one such and for more information on this, you can check this CBA page.
It is therefore important for people to know how best to handle e-waste. The details shared in this article are relevant to that end.
Ideal E-Waste Disposal Methods in Toronto
There are inappropriate disposal tactics and some Toronto residents are guilty of indulging in them. The insistence on using the right disposal tactic is in the best interest of everyone. Against this backdrop, some of the ideal ways to go about it include:
Donation
The definition of e-waste is implied as electronic items that have come to the end of their lifespan and usefulness. However, that part of “usefulness” is very contextual.
This is because what some consumers consider useless can be very useful for other consumers. The point is that the latter category of consumers can make do with some of the electronic waste disposed of by consumers in the former category.
Bearing this in mind, donation or even repurposing is a good idea. Local charities, community centers, and refurbishment programs are options to be considered.
Recycling Centers
In the spirit of appropriate disposal, recycling centers are one of the best bets. It does the environment a world of good as toxic chemicals will not be released into the atmosphere. Besides this, there is the benefit of resource conservation as there are still useful elements/components in e-waste.
However, only reputable recycling centers should be entrusted with the task. To help ensure this, you should opt for one that:
- Is Transparent about Its Practices – That should include recycling practices
- Documents Destruction Processes
- Has Pertinent Certifications – The Responsible Recycling (R2) and e-Stewards certifications are prime examples.
The disposal of electronic waste using the services of recycling centers is a huge step in the right direction. However, it is still possible to get Toronto e waste disposal wrong when the wrong recycling center handles the task. So, take note of the above-listed.
Collection Events
Several collection events are held within and outside Toronto. More often than not, these programs are part of environmental initiatives aimed at encouraging environmentally sustainable practices.
By the way, there are several dynamics to these events. For one, some are seasonal and more large-scale than others.
Drop-Off Locations
Toronto, just like many other renowned urban cities, is committed to environmental sustainability, with several actions proving this. One such is the e-waste drop-off program.
This is aimed at offering residents with e-waste so much convenience. For example, besides strategic placements within the city, quite a lot of e-waste can be disposed of for free.
Besides the city administrators, some commercial entities have shown their commitment to environmental sustainability. For example, some electronic retailers offer free recycling of e-waste provided the product was purchased from them.
Reasons Why Proper E-Waste Disposal Matters
There are two categories of people who are guilty of inappropriately disposing of e-waste. The first category is those who have very little or no idea of the implications of inappropriate disposal. The second are those who are aware but care less.
The point is that being aware of what is at stake helps reduce the number of those guilty. To this end, some of the reasons for proper e-waste disposal include the following:
Resource Recovery
E-waste still contains useful components/elements, although they may not serve their intended purpose anymore. Proper disposal focuses on recovering the useful components/elements in question. In other words, this would be impossible when inappropriate disposal methods are indulged in.
Reduced Use of Landfill
This is great news for several reasons. For starters, there is just so much that landfills can take and proper disposal reduces how much gets dumped in these facilities. As a result, they last a longer while.
Furthermore, the disposal of certain e-waste in these facilities can be environmentally damaging. Proper disposal ensures this does not happen.
Reduced Extraction Activities
The extraction of valuable resources such as gold, silver, and copper in their raw form costs a lot. This is in areas of energy demand, human resources, machinery, and economic cost at large.
Thankfully, proper e-waste disposal reduces the need for the extraction of these valuable resources. You can read this article for more on this subject.
Conclusion – Best Way to Dispose of E Waste
By the way, there are also legal troubles that could result from inappropriate disposal of e-waste. So, indulgence in inappropriate disposal practices should not be considered for this and other reasons mentioned in this article.