E-waste is the term used to describe electrical goods which have been wrongly disposed of once their useful life is over. If this waste goes to landfill, it can mean dangerous substances leak, contaminating water and soil. There is even a potential threat to human health and wildlife.

Equally, discarded electrical items are among the quickest-growing sources of waste. So if you can recycle or reuse your old electronic devices, that’s clearly better for the planet as well as your pocket – and it returns valuable resources into the economy. 

So as Recycle Week 2023 approaches – it takes place between 16^th and 22^nd October in 2023 and this year focus on recyclable items in the home which are often missed – it’s worth considering the benefits. 

Buy a reconditioned rather than a secondhand laptop, for example, and you could save a lot of money. 

Here are some statistics to prove our point: 

• Recycling old electricals could cut the equivalent emissions of 1.3m cars
• Every year, over £850m worth of precious metals could be salvaged from old electrical goods
• The average household could make £620 by selling electrical items they no longer want 

You don’t even necessarily have to think only in terms of recycling whole items. Individual parts for key items such as laptop computers can be reused, recycled, refurbished, bought and sold. And there are huge cost and environmental benefits to doing so. 

Getting delivery right first time 

If you’re in the business of sending or ordering delicate electrical parts, the importance of getting delivery right first time without any breakages can’t be overstated. Second deliveries always have a financial and environmental impact, quite apart from the sheer time and hassle involved. 

A second shipment means double the amount of packaging and delivery miles, while broken items also need to be disposed of properly – all of which saps money and resources. 

And if you’re a consumer who has received a damaged item, or indeed if the delivery didn’t happen at all, your rights are protected. According to The Consumer Rights Act, the retailer is responsible for the goods’ condition until they reach the intended recipient, so the contract is with them rather than the courier who delivered your parcel. 

(However, should anything go wrong once your package has been left with a neighbour or in a designated safe place, your rights are diminished.) 

How we can help 

If you’re shipping or returning any parts for IT or other electrical goods, take a closer look at what we offer. We have an extensive line-up of AirPack packaging solutions for shipping delicate products. These are produced in our own factory, and we specialise in custom designs while offering free delivery on orders worth £125 or more. 

Get in touch today or browse our website to learn more.