Environmental Benefits of Refurbishing Electronics
The environmental benefits of refurbishing electronics are substantial, contributing to reducing the world's fastest-growing waste stream—e-waste. Electronic waste is a growing environmental crisis, with the Global E-Waste Monitor reporting that the world generated over 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019 alone, and projections indicate that this number will only continue to grow. E-waste contains hazardous materials that can leach into the environment, posing serious risks to human health and ecosystems.
Members of the Nonprofit Refurbishers Network are at the forefront of reducing e-waste by refurbishing millions of pounds of electronics each year. Refurbishing extends the life of electronics, keeping them out of landfills and reducing the need for extracting and processing raw materials—a process that often has significant environmental impacts.
E-Waste: The Fastest Growing Waste Stream
E-waste is considered the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. According to the United Nations, less than 20% of e-waste is formally recycled, with the remainder ending up in landfills or being informally recycled, which can lead to harmful environmental impacts. By refurbishing electronics, members of the Nonprofit Refurbishers Network divert millions of pounds of electronics from ending up in landfills.
Refurbishing electronics also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on the demand for new devices. Manufacturing new electronics requires significant amounts of energy and raw materials, such as rare earth metals, which involve environmentally intensive mining processes. By extending the life of devices, we can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with electronics production.
Supporting a Circular Economy
A circular economy focuses on reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling products at the end of their lifecycle. Refurbished electronics are a key part of this model, as they promote reuse and reduce the need for new materials. By refurbishing devices, our members are helping to build a more sustainable world where resources are utilized more efficiently.
Additionally, refurbishing ensures that valuable components and materials are not wasted. The Nonprofit Refurbishers Network works to maximize the lifecycle of electronics, keeping valuable resources in use and preventing unnecessary waste.
Reducing Hazardous Waste
E-waste contains hazardous materials, including heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can cause severe environmental and health issues if not handled properly. By refurbishing rather than disposing of electronics, the network helps minimize the release of these toxic materials into the environment.
Responsible refurbishing processes ensure that data-bearing components are securely wiped or destroyed, and any unusable parts are recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. This helps mitigate the risk of environmental contamination and supports cleaner communities.
