What Should You Do with Old Electronics?
It’s unfortunate when an electronic device stops working or becomes outdated. With your electronic device being out of use, it makes you wonder what to do with it next. Simply throwing away your unwanted device is not ideal because there are toxic chemicals in electronics that can eventually seep into the ecosystem. Computers, TVs, cell phones and more, end up in landfills every year which is unfortunate because many of these devices contain harmful chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency says 2 million tons of electronics or more are disposed of improperly every year. So, what should you do with old electronics? Find out below!
Give Your Electronics Away
You know what they say… “another man’s junk, is another man’s treasure”. Double check with your parents, friends, kids or even charity to see who would like your unwanted device. Your old iPhone that you no longer want can be given to an adolescent family member that may want to use it solely to play games or listen to music. Or check out your local women’s shelter in your city. Many cities have women’s shelters that accept unwanted working cell phones. Also, school districts will gladly take your old electronic device. For example, some schools collect old computers to repair and turn them into working machines. Another great place to check is your local recreation center or senior home organization. Lastly, before donating your electronic device, be sure to delete all personal information.
Trade/Sell for Money
Whether it’s a smartphone or a tablet, there’s a place for you to get a few bucks for your items even if they’re non-functional. You can trade or sell any electronics including smart phones, video games, tablets, and more. Similarly, various retailers allow you to trade in your device as well. Some retailers offer discounts on new equipment if you trade in your old stuff for recycling. These are all dependent on what kind of device it is. For example, your electronic retailer may accept your old laptop or stereo equipment, but not your TV. Always call ahead to check on the specifics because each retailer is different.
Recycle Old Electronics
Many electronic manufacturers have set up programs for recycling old, broken technology. Through these programs, you may be able to return computers, printers, cartridges, phones, TVs, rechargeable batteries and even electrical cords to a drop-off location or through the mail. Devices purchased within the last ten years can be upgraded or refurbished. Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 U.S. homes in a year. For every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. Many nonprofit organizations and local communities offer options to help you recycle old electronics. Also, many cities and towns sponsor collection days for electronics.