Do you have an old cell phone lying around the house? Do you have a piece of forgotten and forlorn electronic equipment on a shelf, in a drawer, or stored in a box that has been gathering dust? Maybe you paid a considerable amount for that now antiquated PC, or perhaps that cell phone seemed inexpensive when you signed on for that long term contract. In either case, what is it worth now?
When contemplating the value of expired electronics, most people gauge the value of the device based on the usefulness of it in his or her personal life. As technology races forward, many of these electronic devices become the victims of upgraded models, and are stockpiled in a closet until the day that they are quietly tossed with the trash. But what you don't know, can hurt me.
500 Million computers became obsolete by the end of 2007, according to a Georgetown International Environmental Law Review, "Globalization, extended producer responsibility and the problem of discarded computers in China: An exploratory proposal for environmental protection". Worldwide, only 10% of all obsolete computers and other electronic devices are recycled. Areas in Asia and Africa that import electronic waste have suffered contaminated drinking water and poisoned wildlife in local lakes and rivers. Would anyone actually believe that contaminated water will be contained to one geography? And what about the landfills in other countries that are full of electronic waste that was merely tossed with the trash?
Many manufacturers have already changed the production process and are actively selecting materials that can be recycled. This includes a significant reduction or elimination of hazardous materials, like lead solder that was once the staple for many devices. Many of these proactive manufacturers have also taken steps to adjust packaging, using recycled materials and reducing the size or box. These are proactive measures by responsible manufacturers to protect the environment. These same manufacturers have also discovered that smaller boxes mean more per truck, consolidating and reducing freight charges, and they have discovered the reclaiming materials can be substantially less expensive than mining and refining raw materials that are carved out from mountainsides. Many well known brands are actively sponsoring return and recycle programs for consumers, but is it working?
Nokia conducted a survey to measure the effectiveness of consumer awareness regarding recycling. In a poll that spanned 13 countries, and more than 6,500 people, Nokia confirmed that 72% of the people surveyed believe that recycling makes a difference in the environment. Unfortunately, 74% of the same people surveyed admitted that they never thought of recycling their old cell phones, and only a mere 3% had actually ever recycled an old phone.
The survey by Nokia included Finland, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, India, China, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, and the United States of America. The results were shocking, enlightening, and remarkably consistent. 78% of people in Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Brazil did not consider recycling their unwanted cell phones. 84% in India had not considered recycling their old mobile device. Overall, 71% of the people polled admitted that, even if they wanted to recycle the unwanted old mobile device, they did not know how to go about doing it.
Nokia has the single largest voluntary mobile phone collection scheme in the industry, with more than 5,000 collection points established in 85 countries around the world. Between 65-80% of the individual Nokia devices can be recycled, including the small amounts of metals. The plastics that cannot be recycled for burned to provide energy for the recycling process, and other materials are ground up into chips and used as construction materials or for building roads. In this way nothing has to go to landfill.
Pause for a moment and take a personal inventory of the electronic and electrical devices that surround you. Lamps, computers, printers, television sets, VCR's, DVD players, MP3, batteries, appliances, and the host of devices that you have accumulated at the home and office. When carelessly discarded, the hazardous substances in those devices decompose and escape into the water supplies. When placed in the hands of a collector for recycling, precious metals and materials can be reused, and the hazardous materials properly handled. By reclaiming and reusing materials, we reduce demand to excavate new raw materials. At the same time, by contributing to the reuse of these materials, you are helping to reduce the costs for future products. It is estimated that 27% of the cost for materials in consumer electronics is based on the mining, fuel for refining, and the transportation of the raw materials.
It is such a simple thing, really. So much attention has been given to measuring carbon footprints, preserving the rain forest, and scientists debating global warming. As a captive audience, we read and listen to these debates with detached, entertained, and sometime annoyed, interest. As a society, we believe that recycling is good for the earth, but as individuals these other topics may seem beyond our limited reach. The next time that you reach for your cell phone, computer, or remote control, remember that you have the power to make a difference right there in your hand. Use your computer to look up the nearest recycling center or local collection event. Share a little irony, but telling these statistics to someone on your cell phone, and encourage another person to participate in recycling unwanted electronic waste. Get your children involved and let them be the ones to carry the unwanted devices with you to the recycling center. After all, they will inherit the earth that you preserve.
"My wife is always trying to get rid of me. The other day she told me to put the garbage out. I said to her I already did. She told me to go and keep an eye on it."
- Rodney Dangerfield
"Knowledge is essential to conquest; only according to our ignorance are we helpless. Thought creates character. Character can dominate conditions. Will creates circumstances and environment."
- Anne Besant
"We are here on Earth to do good to others. What the others are here for, I don't know."
When my mother had a massive stroke, I remember arriving in the emergency room and being asked a dozen questions about her medical history. My father was out of it, in shock, I think, and although my mother had been taken to the hospital she gone to for almost 40 years, they were still asking the standard questions. What medications is she on? What are their names, dosages and frequencies? How long has she been taking this medication? What surgeries and illnesses has she had in the past and when? What types of medical conditions does she have? And I was clueless.
Like many adult children, I had enquired after my aging parents? health in vague ways. And like so many parents of adult children, my parents always said, "Oh, we're fine. Don't worry about us, honey." If either of them had a medical procedure or illness, me and my siblings would hear about it after the fact. They didn't want to worry us. That strategy of keeping us in ignorant bliss didn't pay off. I know that my parents intended good and there were equal parts of me that thought "Well, they're my parents so they know best what to tell me and what to do" and "I don't know what I'd do if they said they were sick anyway and if I did, how would I convince them of what to do if they didn't want to do it?"
The truth behind what truly prevented my parents and others out there like them from sharing this information with their children is two-fold. One, they just didn't want to deal with the fact that they were aging and didn't want to have to confront their own mortality. Two, they also didn't want to admit that they might not be able to handle situations on their own as they occurred. Loss of independence is a common fear for people as they get older. Unfortunately, these fears and their desire to not have me worry ended up hurting them and me in the long run. I wonder if I had known more about my mother's condition prior to the stroke whether or not it could have been prevented.
I have come to believe that no matter how old or young you are, no matter if you are single or married, with children or without, perfectly healthy or managing an illness or injury---somebody other than you better know important information about you and where to access it in an emergency.
Now, you're either on one side of this equation or perhaps you're even both ends of this situation. Your first task is to fully ensure your own well-being as much as possible. Make the appointment for that full medical exam, write that will, buy the insurance with long-term care options. Sit down with your significant others (don't just tell one person-what if they are in the same car accident you are?) and let them know where the information is and what your wishes are. You never know when the emergency will happen and when it does, you won't be able to tell anyone anything.
The next thing you should do is check in with your parents and/or your adult children and go through the same stuff. If they don't want to include you in their plans, make sure that they share this information with someone they trust. Underline that their desire to decrease your concern is really just like burying one's head in the sand. It's the not knowing that is truly damaging in the end because you can't do anything if it's too late and if you don't have the right information. A lot of people put off doing things like this because they think fear the information. The reality is that information is power and keeping yourself ignorant only removes choices and your ability to respond.
Both John Mehrmann & Vivian Banta are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Mehrmann has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Tax and Software. John Mehrmann is author of The Trusted Advocate: Accelerate Success with Authenticity and Integrity, the fundamental guide to achieve extraordinary sales and sustain loyal customers. John Mehrmann is a freelance writer and President of Executive Blueprint. John Mehrmann's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Vivian Banta has sinced written about articles on various topics from Blood Pressure, Self Improvement and Motivation and Family. Vivian Banta (MBA/Coach U CTP Grad) is a life and transition coach who works with people who want to fully engage in their lives or who are experiencing changes such as relocation, career shifts, and personal relationship changes. To find out more, visit. Vivian Banta's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
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