Your electronic products won’t last forever. That does not mean you should just throw them in the trash when it’s time to upgrade. So at some point, you’ll need to figure out how to recycle them.
Check the below tips on where to start your electronic recycling.
Where To Find Electronic Waste Recycling
An informal name for electronic products no longer in use is "e-waste." E-waste can include computers, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, digital converter boxes, cell phones, fax machines, answering machines, and more.
The EPA estimates that only about 12% of e-waste is recycled properly. Most of it is put in the trash and ends up in landfills.
The best way to recycle your e-waste is to take it to an e-waste recycling center. You can find your nearest e-waste recycling center by using the EPA’s Recycling Search tool.
Another way to find an e-waste recycling program near you is to simply enter your ZIP Code into the corresponding search tool on any of the following websites:
- Earth911
- Best Buy
- Office Depot
Once you’ve found a program, simply follow the instructions on how to properly recycle your electronics.
What You Should Know Before Recycling Electronics
Before you recycle your electronics, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Sensitive Information
First, you’ll want to make sure you remove any sensitive or personal information from the device’s memory. This includes things like your passwords, contact lists, social media accounts, and any other confidential data.
How To Remove Sensitive Data
The best way to remove sensitive data from your electronic devices is to use data destruction software. This type of software can be found for free online and will overwrite the data on your device so it can’t be recovered.
Once you’ve downloaded the software, simply follow the instructions on how to use it. Once the process is complete, your data will be permanently erased, and you can safely recycle your device.
Battery Removal
Another thing to keep in mind is that some electronics, like laptops and cell phones, have batteries that need to be removed before recycling. You can remove them yourself or take them to the recycling center to have someone do it for you.
What Happens To My E-Waste?
When you take your e-waste to a recycling center, the recyclers will first remove any hazardous materials, like batteries and mercury. They will then disassemble the devices and separate the different types of materials, like metals, plastics, and glass.
These materials will then be sold to companies that use them to make new products. For example, metals can be used to make new electronics, while plastics can be used to make everything from toys to car parts.
It Is Easy To Recycle Old Electronics
In conclusion, by recycling your e-waste, you’re not only helping to reduce pollution, but you’re also helping to conserve our natural resources. It is easy to find a recycling center and responsibly get rid of e-waste.