Many people, including myself, have been unknowingly disposing of phone chargers incorrectly for years. According to a survey conducted by refurbished tech seller Decluttr, 75 percent of the 2,400 people surveyed on Reddit admitted that they do not dispose of their chargers correctly. In the survey, 55 percent said they throw old chargers in the trash, while 17 percent responded with “other,” indicating that they simply store the chargers in a drawer. Only 25 percent said they take their old chargers to a recycling center, as they should.
Chargers should be recycled because they contain plastic and metals that can contribute to electronic waste (e-waste). According to CNN, approximately 66 million tons of e-waste are generated each year. To address this issue, Apple has a global recycling program where customers can bring their old Apple charging bricks and cables to be properly disposed of. This program is especially useful for those who plan to upgrade to the newest iPhone models, as they now come with a universal USB-C connector instead of a Lightning port.
For those who are environmentally conscious and want to dispose of their chargers in a more eco-friendly way, there are options available. Lifehacker provides instructions on how to recycle cables and power blocks, offering alternative ways to properly dispose of these items. However, for many individuals, convenience may outweigh sustainability, and these chargers may end up in forgotten drawers alongside dead batteries, neither useful nor properly disposed of.
In conclusion, it is important to be aware of the proper way to dispose of phone chargers to reduce electronic waste. Recycling centers and programs offered by companies like Apple can ensure that these items are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. As consumers, it is our responsibility to be mindful of the impact our actions have on the environment and take steps towards more sustainable practices.
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– Mashable (source article)