Population participation in the reverse logistics of electronic and electrical equipment and appliances is extremely important to ensure environmentally proper final disposal of these waste materials. So important that the legislation requires consumer participation in the shared responsibility for the product life cycle.
This process is implemented through collection at designated points for this type of waste, avoiding disposal in regular garbage or conventional selective collection. For effective reverse logistics, it is crucial for the population to follow some guidelines when disposing of these products, such as separating electronic and electrical equipment from other types of waste, ensuring they are turned off, clean, and discarding them whole whenever possible.
It is recommended to erase personal data contained in devices before disposal, remembering that there is no way to recover the products after disposal. The correct disposal of electronic and electrical equipment and appliances helps prevent water and soil contamination since many of these products contain toxic components like mercury and cadmium. Furthermore, it prevents air pollution, especially in the case of appliances containing refrigerant gases, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, which can harm the ozone layer if leaked.
It is important to emphasize that the population incurs no costs when properly disposing of these items, as reverse logistics are funded by manufacturers and importers. By correctly disposing of these items, consumers contribute to environmental preservation and also gain more space at home by getting rid of obsolete or unused equipment.
Awareness about reverse logistics and active participation by the population should not be limited only to schools, but should also extend to businesses and all households. With the frequent acquisition of new technological products, it is essential that the proper disposal of old equipment becomes a habit, aiming not only at individual benefit but also at collective and environmental benefits.
By participating in reverse logistics, the population contributes to the reuse of materials and components from these equipment in the manufacturing of new products, promoting circular economy and reducing the need for natural resource extraction. In this way, everyone benefits: the environment, companies, and society itself, which benefits from a more sustainable and responsible production cycle.
