As a runner, I love nothing more than hitting the pavement early in the morning and taking in the fresh air and peaceful surroundings. But lately, my runs have been marred by a disturbing sight: electronic waste scattered everywhere. I see discarded computers, TVs, and other devices littering the sidewalks and roadways of my town. It’s a problem that not only mars the appearance of our community but also poses a serious environmental hazard.

Every time I come across a piece of electronic waste on my runs, it fills me with sadness. I can’t help but think about the potential harm these discarded devices could cause to the environment and to the people who live here. The waste contains toxic materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can leach into the soil and water supply, causing serious damage to our planet and our health.

As I continue my runs, I can’t help but wonder what can be done to address this problem. How can we as a community come together to eliminate electronic waste from our streets and protect the environment? It’s a question that weighs heavily on my mind and one that I hope we can find a solution to.

One of the main reasons for the proliferation of electronic waste in town is the lack of convenient and accessible recycling options. Many people simply don’t know where to take their old electronics, or they may not want to go out of their way to drop them off at a recycling facility. As a result, they end up tossing them in the trash or leaving them on the curb.

To address this problem, the town could take a number of steps to make electronic waste recycling more convenient and accessible. For example, the town could expand its network of drop-off points where residents can easily dispose of their old electronics. These could be located at community centers, schools, or other public facilities like shopping centers, libraries, and electronics retailers. The town could also offer incentives for residents to recycle their electronics, such as discounts on new devices or gift cards for local businesses.

Another solution would be for the town to adopt a “take-back” program, in which manufacturers are required to accept and recycle their own products. This would not only reduce electronic waste on the streets but also encourage manufacturers to design more environmentally-friendly products in the first place. This is similar to the take-back program the automotive industry has conducted for decades for waste oil.

One real-life example of a successful electronics take-back program is the Electronic Waste Recycling Act in the state of California. This law, which went into effect in 2005, requires manufacturers of certain electronic devices to provide a free and convenient way for California consumers to recycle their old devices.

As a result of this law, a number of electronics manufacturers have established take-back programs in California. For example, Apple has a program called “Apple Renew” that allows customers to bring their old Apple devices to any Apple Store or participating retailer for recycling. The company also offers free shipping for customers who want to recycle their devices but don’t live near a drop-off location.

Since the implementation of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act, the amount of electronic waste being sent to landfills in California has significantly decreased. In 2015, the state reported that it had recovered over 1.5 billion pounds of electronic waste through its recycling program.

In addition to these practical solutions, it’s important to educate the public about the dangers of electronic waste and the importance of recycling. The town could launch a public awareness campaign, using social media, billboards, and other channels to spread the word about the importance of proper disposal. Schools could also play a role in this effort by teaching students about the environmental impact of electronic waste and the importance of recycling.

Overall, the problem of electronic waste on the streets of any town is a serious one that requires immediate attention. By implementing convenient and accessible recycling options, encouraging manufacturers to take back their products, and educating the public about the importance of proper disposal, we can work together to eliminate this problem and create a cleaner, healthier community for all.

TechWaste Recycling is a progressive electronics recycling company focused on providing businesses with responsible electronics recycling and IT asset disposition solutions helping to meet short and long-term corporate and environmental goals. This essay was written in response to the prompt for the company’s 2023 TechWaste Recycling Scholarship