How To Recycle Electronics
The number of gadgets each household owns continues to grow. Between cell phones, music players, personal organizers and of course computers, printers, faxes and cameras we throw away tons, literally tons, of electronics each year.
This waste is the most hazardous waste, not only filling up landfills but putting toxins into our soil, our ground water and then back into our homes. Cathode ray tube (CRT) television monitors have several pounds of lead in them. Lead, as you probably know is extremely toxic.
Cell phone batteries made of nickel and cadmium are toxic because Cadmium is a carcinogen that causes lung and liver damage.
So how do you protect the environment?’
Recycle Your Electronics. Donate your electronics to a person or organization that needs them. For example, many women’s shelters take your cell phones to hand out to the residents who need anonymity. You can also donate computers, printers and other similar equipment to urban schools.
Check out local recycling programs. Many areas offer recycling programs and special drop off days for electronics. If your area doesn’t have curbside pickup, check your local listings to see if there are recycling centers nearby and what, if any, electronics they take.
Check out federal recycling programs. Believe it or not, the federal government wants to help and sponsors several recycling programs including but not limited to: erecycle.org and the federal electronic challenge. Your state may have a sponsored program.
Check out retailers. Most electronic retailers, big box and online, have recycling programs. Your cell phone carrier probably has a program to recycle your phones and your local office supply store or electronics store most likely has programs to recycle your electronics.
Beyond Recycling - In addition to becoming more conscious about your electronics and how you get rid of them, consider purchasing refurbished electronics and cutting back on consumption.
Before you buy another new cell phone, ask yourself if you need it or if the one you have right now is doing the job. The more we’re able to protect the planet we live on and the natural resources it provides, the better off we’ll be.
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January 3rd, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Great article! I would also recommend giving your cell phones to one of the various programs that recycles the phone and sends them to South American countries to still be used. Thanks.