We have normalized being online all the time. We tend to respond to messages and emails quickly, and sometimes we’re even expected to do so. However, digital waste is piling up quietly in the background, and in time, it can cause overwhelming consequences.
First Things First: What Is Digital Waste?
Digital waste refers to all the unnecessary data, files, emails, apps, media, and online activity that we create. If you think about it, every photo you never delete, every email you never open, and every app you forgot you installed still sits somewhere in the cloud. Those bits and bytes may be invisible, but they are not free. Storing that information requires immense amounts of power, which also generates heat that must be cooled by energy-hungry data centers. According to the Pew Research Center, data centers accounted for 4% of total U.S. electricity use in 2024.
Being always online can increase digital waste because you tend to:
- Send more emails than you need.
- Download more files than you ever use.
- Store more photos and videos “just in case.”
- Install more apps that sit idle.
- Leave tabs, accounts, and subscriptions running endlessly.
How About the Environment?
While our devices got more small, the physical infrastructure to support them keeps expanding. We wouldn’t be able to use this technology without data centers, fiber cables, and network towers. All of these require electricity, lots of it, and unfortunately, our digital activity produces carbon emissions.
When you multiply daily use by billions of users worldwide, the environmental impact becomes enormous. New technologies like AI are also an increasing worry; for example, on average, a single ChatGPT query uses 10 times more energy than a regular Google search.
The Personal Cost
In addition to the environmental impact, a constant information stream and doomscrolling can also affect people’s mood and mental well-being.
To take a healthier approach, you don’t need to completely disappear. Just by adopting some conscious measures, you can start a meaningful change. Consider:
- Unfollow accounts that thrive on engagement.
- Use silent mode when you can.
- Control your screen time.
- Regularly delete old apps that you no longer use.
These are simple steps you could take to try to reduce your digital waste. However, if you want, you can go a little deeper and:
- Audit your online accounts by checking if they were breached.
- Review and update privacy and security settings on all accounts.
- Clean up your cloud storage and backups.
- Unsubscribe from unwanted mailing lists.
Security Risks
The more digital junk you have, the more exposed you are to cyber threats. Every account with a recycled password, outdated apps without security updates, or forgotten profiles containing personal information could be vulnerable and contribute to digital waste. Cybercriminals specifically like to exploit dormant accounts and public networks to find entry points.
Without proper protection, this creates opportunities for tracking, data harvesting, and even identity theft. That is why many people, especially mobile users, choose tools like a VPN for iOS or Android to help encrypt their connection and reduce data exposure when using public or unsecured networks.
How to Start Reducing Your Digital Footprint
The good news is that you can take control. Reducing digital waste does not require giving up technology but simply means using it more intentionally.
Here are some practical steps you can start today:
- Delete old emails, files, and cloud backups.
- Unsubscribe from newsletters and services you never read.
- Remove unused apps and browser extensions.
- Close accounts you no longer use.
- Organize important files into clear folders.
- Limit how many devices and platforms you stay logged into.
Final Thoughts
Digital waste is a commonly overlooked problem that can accumulate silently. While it is difficult to find balance, the solution is not to disappear. Let’s face it: we rely on digital solutions too much, and if left unregulated, the technology changes too quickly for us to keep up.
Starting with disciplined screen time habits and regular cleaning routines can help establish a healthier relationship with our devices and leave us in a less vulnerable position.