Nowadays, trash doesn’t just pile up in street containers or household wastebaskets; it’s also found in the cloud. We’re becoming increasingly aware of this type of waste, which we accumulate almost without realizing it. Thousands of photos on our devices and in apps like WhatsApp. One of the most used apps in the world hides a recycle bin that we can access by going to Settings and emptying.
WhatsApp doesn’t have a traditional recycle bin like the one on computers, but rather a system within the app’s own settings designed to manage and delete accumulated files. To access this feature, you need to open the app and go to Settings. From there, select the Storage & Data menu, then click Manage Storage.
Suddenly, it’s like stepping back in time. The user will see the largest files stored in the app appear. This section provides a detailed view of the storage used by WhatsApp on the mobile device, allowing them to see how much space each individual or group chat uses, as well as how the files are distributed among photos, videos, documents, and other items.
Whastapp: the platform displays a list of files sorted by size or relevance
Once the user enters the Manage Storage section, the platform displays a list of files sorted by size or relevance. This makes it easier to view items that are taking up the most storage or have been forwarded multiple times, typically memes, documents, or images that the user no longer needs to keep.
The servers are connected 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
From the information available to us, we’ve learned that cloud storage -that which we can’t see, that which isn’t tangible- also threatens the health of the planet. All this storage is managed by supercomputers, which in turn draw energy from sources, most of which are non-renewable. The servers are connected 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Therefore, the thousand photos we can store in the cloud during a few weeks of traveling through Europe represent waste that ends up being tangible for the planet.
It is estimated that data centers account for around 1% of global electricity consumption
Every year, internet use produces 900 million tons of CO2, already responsible for 3.7% of global emissions, according to the latest report from The Shift Project. A figure that, moreover, seems set to increase. Currently, it is estimated that data centers account for around 1% of global electricity consumption. Even more worrying is that, given the exponential increase in users and the growth in internet use, several studies suggest that by 2030, it could represent up to 8% of total global electricity demand.
A powerful cooling system is needed to prevent the servers we mentioned earlier from overheating
It’s so important that we all become aware of what we can do to reduce our digital waste by making more responsible use of our digital devices. Remember, it’s not just about storage; a powerful cooling system is needed to prevent the servers we mentioned earlier from overheating, which further increases their energy consumption.
Screenshots, social media videos, even stickers and GIFs all take up space
Returning to WhatsApp, file accumulation often leads to two common problems: device memory saturation and difficulty finding important files. Proper management of this virtual trash can is key to keeping storage free and ensuring essential information isn’t lost. It also helps alleviate the mental clutter that can come with so much online junk. Screenshots, social media videos, even stickers and GIFs all take up space in both WhatsApp’s personal storage and your smartphone’s overall storage. Therefore, it’s advisable to occasionally clean out apps of information that isn’t useful or necessary.
