Electronic devices have become a phenomenon. Technology, and the devices that go along with it, are the some of the most useful components of our everyday lives. When devices reach their lifecycle prime, they’re useful and cool, but at the end of that life cycle, they become a problem. Keeping electronics out of trouble in the e-waste stage takes creativity. 

When e-waste hits the downside of its cycle, at the end-of-its short lifespan, it absolutely necessary to find constructive ways to keep these devices out of trash bins and dumpsters. In previous years, e-waste has been the fastest growing waste stream in America, piling up even faster than plastics and trash bags. 

E-waste Has Consequences


The consequences are serious, too. Just about every electronic device contains some level of hazardous or toxic material, so left in landfills, e-waste poses a serious threat to the environment and to the health and safety of communities.

A left over electronic device that does not end up in a landfill may take an alternate route, winding up in the limbo-land of tech graveyards. These are garages, basements even desk drawers in homes and offices where device accumulate a) because consumers don’t know how to properly discard them, b) because they’re kept around for sentimental reasons or c) because consumers are too afraid to discard them due to privacy risks.

Finding Creative Uses for E-waste


Yet, creative uses for e-waste abound. In this post, we’ll take a look at the top ways to turn the tide on e-waste, keeping it out of landfills and tech graveyards, and making it relevant again – even after its original newness reaches an expiration date.

1. Art 


For those with the right talent, e-waste offers a substantive base material for ingenious works of art. Turning the consequences of our consumption into artistic works has long been the passion of sculptors, performance artists and designers, and that art is all set to take on new meaning as the need to address the plight of mounting e-waste increases.

Creating art from e-waste is a creative way to upcycle a potentially dangerous material, taking it an environmentally risky item and making it noteworthy and valuable again in society. Upcycling began as a trend in the 1990’s making its debut in Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things a vastly popular eco-minded book written by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. In fact, upcycling is the theme for a number of creative uses for e-waste – including crafts.

2. Crafts


Crafting with e-waste is a great way to keep devices out of landfills and and into the hands of those who can find new uses for them in homes or offices. E-waste craft making could easily become the 21st century’s premiere hobby, as consumers find more and more clever ways to give electronic devices a second chance.

The e-waste crafting world is both diverse and intriguing. The options range from keyboard cupholders to computer monitor garden planters. For great ideas, peruse the Internet for Pinterest pics and blog write ups. Here’s a good place to start.

3. New Gadgets


Closely related to crafting with e-waste, using old devices to create new tinker toys is yet another way to resurrect an old device. For tinkerers, the electronic device offers an entire realm of possibility for new (and hopefully smarter) devices. Reverse engineering an old computer could create the next solar powered robot and there are even creative minds making clocks and other powerful household, office and educational tools and gadgets from e-waste. 

4. Education


With so much creativity involved, upcycling e-waste also serves as a great opportunity for education. Schools and nonprofits looking to raise awareness about the e-waste crisis are inviting students to think critically and creatively about reuse. 

E-waste workshops, where participants learn hands on ways to creatively handle the e-waste issue, are currently growing in popularity across the nation. E-waste collection events around the country provide excellent opportunities for schools and community groups to inform residents about the best ways to recycle, and sometimes serve as fundraisers as well. Finally, donations of used electronic devices for reuse in the educational setting keep the devices in circulation, preventing environmental harm.

5. Keep It in the Circle


It’s 2016, and the circular economy model finally seems to be gaining traction. This is good news for e-waste recycling advocates because the circular economy model is another creative way to keep dangerous electronic leftovers out of landfills and trash bins.

The circular economy deals with reusing e-waste (and most other forms of waste, for that matter) in ways that keep it out of the waste stream as long as possible. This includes crafting and creating art with e-waste as well as creating new gadgets or repairing old devices for new use. 

On the flip side, the circular economy model also provides for increased production of ‘green’ electronic – devices that are easily reusable or primed for recycling from the beginning stages of design production. This means that electronic manufacturers must pay attention to the best methods for lengthening the life cycle of a device, or at least ensuring that when the device does reach the end of its life cycle, it can be recycled completely and sustainable, without harming the environment.

Another key plus of the circular economy model is its ability to solve complex natural resource consumption issues. The ubiquity of electronic devices means that many of our most limited natural resources are rapidly being depleted. A circular economy model ideally places less strain on natural resources by encouraging creative manufacturing and reuse of electronics and e-waste.

Creative Uses for E-waste


Probing the most creative uses for e-waste is interesting but it’s also necessary. With technology advancing at a rapid pace, electronic devices are piling up at outrageous rates with few signs of slowing down. With a responsible plan for clever ways to keep the resultant waste out of landfills and away from harm to the environment, there just may be hope for a final, sustainable solution to the e-waste crisis.