Are you hoarding an electronics graveyard in your closet? Not only is it taking up valuable space, but if you don’t recycle old devices properly they could have serious environmental impacts.
A lot of electronics have heavy metals like lead and mercury, and if they’re not handled right, these metals can seep into the soil and groundwater. But there’s a silver lining (or rather gold, silver, and copper lining) – a lot of electronics also have valuable materials that can be recovered and reused if we recycle them. And with technology constantly changing and the disposal end of life, electronic waste is becoming a growing problem worldwide, causing lack of space, pollution, and potential health risks for people living near e-waste dumps. But by recycling old electronics, we not only protect the environment and conserve resources, but also prevent dangerous pollutants from contaminating the air and water and preserve finite resources by recovering valuable materials.
1. Research Local E-Waste Recycling Options:
Step one in getting rid of that ancient flip phone in your drawer: do some digging! Find out where you can drop off your old electronics for a proper disposal in your area. It might be your city or county government, or a local non-profit. Retailers like Best Buy and Staples also have e-waste recycling programs. And don’t forget to check in with your local waste management facilities to see if they accept e-waste. Knowing your options will help you choose the easiest and most effective way to recycle your old gadgets!
2. Verify that the Recycler is Certified by the e-Stewards program:
So you’ve found a potential recycling spot for your e-waste, congrats! But before you hand over your old electronics, it’s crucial to double check if they’re certified by the e-Stewards program. This program is like the guardian angel of recyclers, making sure they’re handling and disposing of e-waste properly, and most importantly, not sending dangerous waste to developing countries. So choose a certified e-Stewards recycler and you can rest easy knowing your e-waste is in good hands, being handled and disposed of properly and avoiding any hazardous export.
3. Remove Any Personal Data from the Device Before Recycling it:
Okay, so you’ve found a certified recycler and are ready to say goodbye to your old devices. Before you hand it over, it’s crucial to give it a good digital spring cleaning. That means wiping off any personal data that may still be on there. You can do a factory reset, or use special software to give your device a digital bleach bath, making sure all those personal details like contacts, bank details, messages and photos are erased. This way, you can prevent any identity thieves or privacy breaches from happening. So don’t recycle your old electronics without giving them a proper digital housekeeping first, otherwise, it’s like giving away the keys to your digital castle.
4. Gather Up All of Your Old Electronics and Take them to the Designated Drop-Off Location:
Alrighty folks, we’ve come to the final step of e-waste recycling. It’s time to gather all your old devices, give them a final digital dusting, and bring them to the designated drop-off location. Many e-waste recycling programs have special drop-off spots for residents to safely dispose of their old electronics. And if you’re lucky, some recyclers even offer pickup services. Just make sure to follow the instructions provided and properly package any items that need to be transported.
You can also ship your old electronics to companies specializing in recycling them, like Dell, HP, Apple, and also third-party companies certified by e-Stewards and R2 (Responsible Recycling). They’ll recycle, refurbish or properly dispose of your e-waste. They may charge a fee for their services, but it’s usually cheaper than other disposal methods. Plus, many of these companies will give you a certificate of recycling, which can be a handy for companies or organizations that need to document their e-waste recycling efforts.
Just one more thing before you ship: be aware that some shipping methods may not be able to handle hazardous materials, and some electronics contain hazardous materials. So, it’s important to make sure the company you’re sending it to can handle it properly, package and label items as e-waste or hazardous materials if necessary. And always make sure to verify that the recycler you’re sending it to is certified by e-Stewards or R2, to avoid any hazardous waste being exported to developing countries, and ensure proper disposal.
Certified Electronics Recyclers
https://www.epa.gov/smm-electronics/certified-electronics-recyclers
Recycle Locators
https://www.cta.tech/Landing-Pages/Greener-Gadgets
https://www.call2recycle.org/locator/