| Cellular devices, ipods, and laptop computers are | | | | dispose of the device. The first step that we as |
| some of the most prolific material items in the world. | | | | consumers must take to help prevent e-waste from |
| The waste these devices create has become a sad | | | | continuing to pollute our environment is to reuse our |
| reality of our current age, as it represents the largest | | | | broken devices by buying new or refurbished parts. |
| solid waste stream in the world. Most of our | | | | Many of the common problems that people run into |
| electronic waste is shipped to developing programs. | | | | with an iphone or ipod are simple to repair, such as a |
| Two main problems arise from this. First, the waste | | | | screen or battery replacement. If it is not an easy |
| is extremely hazardous, and second, the waste is not | | | | repair, there are plenty of self-help manuals online or |
| biodegradable. The United States is responsible for | | | | inexpensive repair services which make it an easy |
| the majority of this, since we are one of the only | | | | process to repair one's iphone, ipod, or laptop. It is all |
| remaining countries (and the only developed country) | | | | at your Google-searching fingertips. |
| who ships its hazardous e-waste to developing | | | | The second step in the electronic circle of life is to |
| countries. It is time we implemented a great | | | | recycle the device at the end of its lifetime. If you |
| electronic circle of life, in which our electronics are | | | | are looking to update your device or if your device is |
| recycled and reused, rather than left in our landfills or | | | | not cost-effective to fix, the best option is to |
| shipped to other nations. | | | | recycle the laptop computer, ipod, or cell phone. You |
| It begins with you. You buy the devices- millions of | | | | can get cash to recycle your ipod, iphone, or laptop, |
| laptops, ipods, and iphones are sold every day in the | | | | even if it is broken. When you recycle your electronic |
| United States. Many of these devices are rather | | | | devices, the parts are disposed of in an earth-friendly |
| disposable. In the last few years, the average | | | | manner or reused in other electronic devices; thus, |
| lifespan of a laptop has shrunk to around 2 years. | | | | this completes the great electronic circle of life. |
| The average lifespan of an ipod or iphone is about | | | | This process is simple and it needs to be |
| the same, as the lithium batteries within the ipod or | | | | implemented in our daily actions. We must view our |
| iphone usually last about 400 charges, or two years | | | | electronics as recyclable and reusable items. Our |
| of regular use. As the rate of technology change | | | | planet is precious and we cannot continue to take it |
| continues to evolve, our electronic devices are | | | | for granted by caring more for consumerism and |
| becoming increasingly disposable. | | | | materialism than we do for our own health and our |
| The great electronic circle of life must begin | | | | own environment. We must reuse the parts from our |
| sometime within this average two year lifespan of | | | | electronic devices and recycle the parts we cannot |
| the laptop, iphone, or ipod. Rather than attempting to | | | | reuse. So go out, spread the news and recycle your |
| recycle an electronic device, many people simply | | | | devices! |