The beginning of a laptop life is way back before it gets into your hands. It starts off in factories where metals, plastics and glasses are turned into these sleek devices that people use everyday.
A typical laptop might last 3 – 5 years after manufacture, especially if it is used by a novice owner who utilises it for basic work, such as school assignments, entertainment as well as communication needs.
However, the story does not end when the machine gets slow or becomes obsolete. In a circular economy, the aim is to extend its lifespan as much as possible.
Rather than disposing of, many parts can be repaired, upgraded, or reused instead. For instance, replacing an old battery or adding more memory can give a new life to an old computer.
At the end of its life, recycling is very important when dealing with laptops, because they contain valuable materials such as aluminium, copper and even gold which can be retrieved and reused for new products.
Recycling reduces waste, helps in resource conservation, and also cuts down on pollution from production processes.
In a circular economy, laptops are not only disposable gadgets, they are tools that can be impactful for a sustainable future if everyone understands the benefit of recycling.
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