Facts on Recycling Electronics
When you buy a new cell phone, computer or printer, you may be excited to check out all of its new features. However, even after you hook it up and start using it, you're still left with an old gadget you will likely never use again. Though it may be easy to throw it away in the garbage, doing so not only creates excess waste but also introduces corrosive chemicals into landfills, which can seep into the ground. To prevent harming the environment, consider recycling your electronics instead.
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Why Recycle?
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There are plenty of reasons to recycle your old electronics. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 40 million computers become obsolete and are discarded every year. However, only 15 percent of these computers are recycled, which means that 85 percent of them end up in landfills across the country. In addition to computers, millions more cell phones, computer peripherals and audio equipment end up in dumps. These electronic devices contain dangerous chemicals, including mercury, that can contaminate the earth.
What Can Be Recycled
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Virtually any electronic device can be recycled. Old computers and cell phones are the easiest to find recycling centers for, but audio equipment, such as speakers, sound systems and portable music devices, can also be recycled. If you are unsure of whether an electronic device can be recycled or not, call your district's EPA eCycling agent (see Resources for a link to specific people you can contact in reference to recycling electronics).
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Donating vs. Repurposing
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There are two main ways you can recycle electronics: donating and repurposing. Donating is a fairly popular method for recycling telephones and computers, as many underprivileged people and communities around the world are in need of these technology basics. Repurposing, however, is good for older electronics, as it takes the components from the electronic devices, including metals, wires and battery parts, and turns them into new devices.
Finding a Recycling Center
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If you are trying to recycle cell phones or computers, finding a recycling center is fairly easy. Most major cell phone carriers also serve as cell recycling centers, and select electronics stores (especially repair shops) will take old computer hardware for repurposing. Finding recycling centers for other types of electronic devices can be a little bit more challenging, but when in doubt, you can always check with your local EPA eCycling agent.
Preparing Your Device for Recycling
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After you have found a recycling center, it is important to prepare your device for recycling. Although rare, identity thieves have been known to reboot items discarded for recycling. So before you recycle it, make sure to wipe the device's memory completely and drain the battery to 0 percent.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Clix via sxc.hu
