How to Dispose of an Old Stereo Receiver

Disposing of stereo receivers properly will help protect the environment.

In 2007, according to the EPA, Americans dumped 2.2 million tons of electronic waste, including stereo receivers, into municipal landfills. The stereo receivers dumped into landfills included materials such as lead, nickel, cadmium and mercury. All of these materials pose a danger to humans and the environment if not disposed of properly. Recycling is a better choice for disposing of stereo receivers. This is due to a metric ton of circuit boards containing 40 to 800 times the gold ore mined in the United States. The same metric ton contains 30 to 40 times the amount of copper ore.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone or cell phone
• Internet
• Vehicle

Instructions

1. Resell stereo receivers at a local pawn shop, Internet resell site or in the classified section of the newspaper.

2. Donate working stereo receivers to a local charity thrift shop or Goodwill. Contact the thrift store or Goodwill to arrange a pick up or to determine drop-off times.

3. Recycle nonworking stereo receivers at a local recycling facility. The EPA provides a list of websites that provide electronic recycling information. (See Resources)

4. Dispose of the nonworking stereo receiver at the local household hazardous waste drop-off, if recycling is not available. Contact the community public works department to determine the drop-off location, dates and times.

Tips & Warnings

• If donating the equipment to a local charity or not-for-profit agency, get a receipt. The donation is tax deducible.

References

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Waste-Resource Conservation-Common Waste & Materials-eCycling

Resources

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer