United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs – ITU or International Telecommunication Union has approved of an environmentally friendly standard for universal laptop chargers and other portable devices. Significant reduction in e-waste, improved energy efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions are the few provision included in the new standard.

Every year around a million ton of power supplies and related accessories are manufactured. In 2009 and then again in 2012, ITU-T L.1002 which is based on ITU-T L.1000 was adopted by ITU and members. ITU-T L.1000 is the ITU standard that has provisions for universal chargers for handheld devices such as mobile phones.

Recommendation ITU-T L.1002 is titled “External universal power adapter solutions for portable ICT devices” and it has been stated by TU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao this recommendation would contribute to the achievement of Goal 12 of UN Sustainable Development Goals. This would ensure sustainable production & consumption patterns. Only 15 to 20 percent of e-waste has been estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the rest find their way into incinerators, landfills or exported to developing nations.

Every time when our want for newer models is fructified, we tend to upgrade as a whole. In the sense, we don’t buy the iPhone only or only the Macbook. We buy them along with Apple charger and MacBook Charger. This renders the stack of the Apple Chargers and MacBook chargers and other brand chargers useless. Now, what happens when we decide to do a spring cleaning of our house? Instead of chucking them out and letting them find their way towards landfills and incinerators, the following could be done:

Recycle at any metal recycling centre. There may be someone who is not so keen on upgrading their phones and laptops as quickly as the trend depicts. They could use the old chargers which are no more compatible. It could be dropped off at Bes Buy kiosks found all over the country. Donation at any STEM programs of the country.

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