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Millions of Europeans do not dare to process their old phones, even when they are no longer used.
The recent Eurostat survey shows that 51% keep their old device at home instead of throwing it away.
Only 11% process it, while 18% give someone either to sell, and 2% are thrown out without processing it.
High indicators of electronic waste in the Balkans
The percentage of telephones ending in general waste is especially high in the Balkans: 14% in Albania, about 11% in Northern Macedonia and almost 9% in Montenegro.
In the EU, the highest percentage of people who reject their phones in this way referred to the Czech Republic, from almost 6%.
On the contrary, the lowest percentage among all EU countries and not, participating in the survey, was discovered in Croatia. Only 0.57% of old mobile phones are in total waste.
As for old laptops and tablets, 34% of people keep them at home.
Nevertheless, about 1.5% of people fly them into total waste or in other places.
Once again, Montenegro is a particularly alarming level: 9%, which exceeds any other European nation involved in the study.
Why do many process their old electronic devices?
Perhaps, from their size, old table computers have a relatively high processing rate: 15%.
The Netherlands process 28% of them, and then Sweden with 26%.
Nevertheless, the Dutch also have the highest percentage of the EU to fly on the desktop, not used table computers in general waste, 6.6%.
Some EU candidates have even higher indicators: 8% in Montenegro and almost 10% in Northern Macedonia.
A survey of the British Royal Society of Chemistry showed that the main reason why most people, 37%, do not process their old devices, is anxiety about their data and security.
At the same time, 29% do not know where to go to their old technology.
Why are electronic waste harmful?
Electronic waste is extremely dangerous if they are improperly processed from toxic materials, such as dioxins, lead and mercury, which, as you know, cause damage to human health.
Children are especially vulnerable.
According to WHO, the report can cause “adverse results of newborns”, including increasing the rate of mortal and premature births, neuro -development and behavioral problems (especially associated with lead), as well as a decrease in pulmonary function, respiratory problems and increasing the case.