Every year, nearly 3.5 million tons of e-waste is generated when people throw away the electronics that they no longer use, or want. This is a big problem for the world because a lot of it is put in the trash, which means that it eventually ends up in landfill. Once there, it takes decades to degrade and heavily pollutes the Environment, as it breaks down. This article explains just how big the problem is.

One of the most important things you can do for the environment is to find new ways to use your old Gadgets. Doing so keeps them out of the trash.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Give them as gifts

It is far better that your old phones, laptops and tablets are put to use rather than be left languishing at the back of a cupboard. Friends, family, charities, schools, and other organisations, can always put these items to good use.

Use it for backups

In this day and age, where viruses and malware attacks are commonplace, it is important to backup your data. An old laptop or desktop PC is perfect for this. Just be sure to put a good antivirus programme on it and to password Protect your backup files.

Use it as a secure PC

If you like to do your Banking online using an old smartphone, laptop or tablet for this purpose is a good idea. The vast majority of viruses get onto your devices when you download and install new software or music.

Therefore, when you use a device exclusively for your online banking, and never upload new files onto it, you greatly reduce your exposure to the risk of identity theft. You also need to protect it with good quality security software, and should only turn it on and hook it up to your Wi-Fi when you are actually using it to do your banking. This approach will keep your device as secure as possible.

Get your broken gadgets repaired

If you own devices that are broken, find out how much it would cost to get them Repaired. Over the past few years, the price of getting old tech Gadgets Repaired has fallen drastically meaning that it is often worth having them fixed.

Fix Apple Now repair smartphones, desktops, laptops and tablets. This firm offers a postal repair service, which means that you can use them regardless of where you live in the US.

Strip them down for parts

If you own a smartphone, laptop, desktop PC or tablet that you cannot have repaired do not just throw it away. You may be able to sell it for parts or use it to harvest spares for some of your own gadgets.

Repurpose and recycle

Once you have stripped your old gadgets of anything useful, put the remaining parts into your local re-cycling scheme rather than trashing it. If you do this most of the metal and plastic in your devices will be harvested and melted down to be used to make other things. This will keep the majority of the damaging materials in your electronics out of landfill, and protect the environment.