Throwing an old phone or iron into a regular trash can is tempting due to its simplicity. After all, it's just one little item – what bad could happen? Quite a lot. Even a small one mobile phone can poison a cubic meter of soil. And this is just the tip of the iceberg, because in our homes there are much larger appliances filled with substances that become real poisons when in contact with the ground or water.
What exactly is e-waste?
Simply put – everything that runs on electricity or batteries. From a small charger to a large refrigerator. The law divides this waste into six groups: refrigeration equipment (refrigerators, air conditioners), devices with screens above 100 mm² (TVs, laptops), all types of lamps, large-size equipment over 50 cm (washing machines, dishwashers), small-size equipment below 50 cm (kettles, toasters) and small IT devices (telephones, routers). If in doubt, look at the case – symbol of a crossed-out waste bin means that the device must not be disposed of as household waste.
Where can we get rid of electronic waste?
Fortunately, we have a lot of options. The first one is PSZOK, i.e. Selective Municipal Waste Collection Point. Each commune runs at least one such point. But before we load the old fridge into… carit is worth calling and checking the rules – some PSZOKs have restrictions on the size of accepted equipment.
The second option is shops with electronics/home appliances. It's worth knowing your rights here. Large supermarkets (those over 400 m²) must accept every small device up to 25 cm for free – regardless of whether we buy something new from them. And if we plan to buy new equipment, the store (regardless of size) is obliged to collect an old device of the same type from us.
A new, convenient solution has also appeared in many cities – red containers for small electronic waste. We can put equipment up to 40x50x20 cm in them – perfect for old phones, dryers or toasters. It is important not to leave anything next to the container – this is considered wild waste storage.
Why is all this so important?
There are many “silent killers” lurking in electronic waste. Mercury in fluorescent lamps, freon in refrigerators, lead in picture tubes – these substances, released into the environment, can poison the soil and groundwater for years. They can also seriously harm our health – damage the brain, nervous system, and even contribute to the development of cancer.
But there is also the other side of the coin. Electronic waste is a real mine of valuable raw materials. You can recover copper, aluminum, and even gold or silver from them. Globally, not recycling e-waste is a loss of approximately $57 billion per year. In Poland, about 60% of e-waste is processed – the rest is still in our homes or, worse still, ends up in illegal landfills.
What are the consequences of throwing electronic waste into a regular garbage bin?
For disposing of electronic waste in an unauthorized manner – either by throwing it into a regular bin or leaving it next to a garbage bin – You may be fined up to PLN 5,000. But financial penalties are nothing compared to the damage such actions cause to the environment. One battery can poison a cubic meter of soil and contaminate 400 liters of water. Yet we throw away much more of them every year.