How are America’s biggest technology users approaching E-Waste?
How are America’s biggest technology users approaching E-Waste?
It’s no secret that millennials and Gen Z are extremely concerned about the environment, with
These generations are also the biggest technology users in the US. With growing evidence concerning the environmental impact of e-waste, we surveyed 1,332 millennials and Gen Zers to find out how their environmental concerns affect their tech buying and recycling decisions.
Concern for the environment is high among millennials and Gen Z
Concern for the environment is high among millennials and Gen Z
71%
rank it as a higher concern than the economy (29%)
69%
would boycott a brand for not following eco-friendly business practises.
47% of young Americans wouldn’t be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t recycle
Yet few are aware e-waste is a cause for concern
Yet few are aware e-waste is a cause for concern
Remarkably, 3 in 5 young people don’t know what e-waste means.
Despite their tech-saviness, over half of those we surveyed, aren’t aware of the toxic impact of e-waste on the environment!
Top tech items hitting landfills in 2020
Top tech items hitting landfills in 2020
Why aren’t young people recycling their tech responsibly?
Why aren’t young people recycling their tech responsibly?
44% don’t know how to properly donate, resell or recycle tech.
36% didn’t know if their items were recyclable or not.
27% didn’t have time to properly dispose, donate or recycle tech.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s recycling habits too, with 27% of respondents reporting that their local recycling facility has been closed.
The top 3 ‘no contact’ ways Americans can recycle their e-waste
Sell gadgets using a tech buyback service like Decluttr
One of the easiest ways to recycle phones and tech is by using a tech buyback service like Decluttr. As well as helping the environment, you’ll get paid for your unwanted stuff too - ideal if you need to make a little extra cash!
Simply describe what you want to recycle, pack it into a box and ship it for free and you’ll get paid the day after it arrives.
Donate it
If you’re feeling generous, there are plenty of great causes looking for old technology. One such charity is Computers With Causes, which refurbishes unwanted technology and provides it to schools, youth centers and other deserving organisations struggling to afford tech.
Take it to a recycling center
If you can’t resell or donate your tech, your best bet is to recycle it. Get in touch with your local recycling facility and check if they accept e-waste first though, as not all of them will.
Adopt more sustainable habits with Decluttr.
Buy
If you’re upgrading soon, why not check out our huge range of cheap iPhone handsets? They cost less than buying new and they’re much better for the environment too!
Sell
Don’t forget to check out our tech and mobile phone recycling service either - it’s a fast, easy and totally FREE way to sell cell phones, trade in iPads, games consoles and much more!