Giving new life to old tech at Christmas
Christmas is around the corner, a time to get together and eat and drink and exchange… stuff. Brad Gray from Planet Ark has some practical tips on how to lessen the environmental impact.
Christmas is fast approaching, which means a festive season of gift giving and receiving has begun.
Unwrapping a shiny new gadget on Christmas morning might provide a short-term high, but with more active SIM cards on the planet than people, it comes with an environmental impact.
Global sales figures for smartphones, tablets and PCs are projected to reach 2.4 billion devices for 2014, and that figure is tipped to grow into next year.
With mobile devices becoming increasingly popular and tech companies hoping for bumper Christmas sales figures, it is important that we look at ways of making sure the non-renewable resources that go into making these items are kept in use, by recycling them through government-certified recycling programs.
This Christmas, Planet Ark and our supporters TechCollect and MobileMuster are asking everyone to think about how many old, unused tablets and mobiles they have lying around the house that could be recycled.
Our awareness campaign ‘The 12 DOs of Christmas’ encourages those who receive an electronic gift at Christmas make sure that their old ones are re-homed or recycled.
Many of the materials and components found in these gadgets are rare and can be harmful to the environment if sent to landfill, so it’s important to recycle them responsibly.
As well as being good for the environment, recycling can be good for people too. This year MobileMuster is supporting the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal by giving two dollars for every kilo of mobiles and accessories sent in for recycling during December and January. Every mobile received is dismantled and recycled ethically, and any data left on the handset is destroyed through the recycling process.
As part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, TechCollect accepts tablets as well as laptop computers, PCs and accessories.
Batteries are another electronic item prevalent at Christmas, as they are used to power new toys, cameras and gadgets. Buying rechargeable batteries and chargers can be a great way to lessen the impact of single-use batteries, which can be recycled at Aldi and Battery World stores.
Drop off and collection points for all these items are available on RecyclingNearYou.com.au, a comprehensive household recycling directory that lists options for a variety of items, by council.
You can also find the 12 DOs of Christmas action sheet on the website, with tips for reducing food waste and excess packaging, buying green gifts, and recycling other items like wrapping paper, foil, cartons, drink containers, plastic and cards. Taking action on a few simple ideas can reduce the impact of excess consumption and make your Christmas a little greener, without scrimping on fun.
Brad Gray trained and worked as a history and geography teacher before moving into the health education sector for 14 years. With a strong passion for human environments, Brad started with Planet Ark in 2007 as Recycling Programs Manager before taking up the role of Head of Campaigns in 2010. Brad works with every team in the organisation to create positive and action-based programs designed to engage Australians with the environment. For more information on this topic, please visit www.makeitwood.org
