E-waste (electronic waste) refers to discarded electronics that make it into our landfills and oceans. It’s a massive problem. Approximately 2.7% of the waste we generate per annum is e-waste alone, and that number is expected to grow.
Our world is built on electronics, so we can’t stop ourselves from making more. We can, however, change the way that we dispose of and recycle old eletronics. If you’ve got old or broken electronics that you no longer need, what’s the best course of action for dealing with them?
Today, we take a look at the preferred methods for electronics disposal.
Contact Sanitation Services for Old Electronics
The problem with broken gadgets is that they often contain harmful materials that can pollute the environment. It’s for this reason that you shouldn’t toss used batteries and electronics in your regular trash. Landfills can contaminate the groundwater – or much worse – if you dispose of electronics there.
Some city sanitation services will take care of e-waste for a low fee. It may even be included with your sanitation package.
Contact them to see if they offer the services. If not, they may be able to refer you to someone who handles them, such as Cjdecycling.com.
Drop Them Off at a Hazardous Waste Facility
Hazardous waste facilities have assembly lines that break down electronics (and other hazardous materials) into their constituent parts. They then safely dump what they can in landfills and send the rest to recycling.
Outside of your sanitation services, this is the next best option for e-waste disposal. These are government-approved options for handling said waste at a reasonable price. Most importantly, you get peace of mind knowing that your electronics are not going straight to the ocean.
Plus, you get the benefit of knowing that they recycle electronics to make new generations of phones and computers.
Use a Trade-In Program
Do you have an old phone that you plan to replace with an upgrade? There’s a good chance that the manufacturer has some sort of trade-in program. This allows you to safely dispose of your electronics and get some money in return.
Some iPhone models, for example, can be traded in and used to purchase a new device. Suppose you have an old iPhone 11 and want to get a new iPhone 15. You could take the old device to an Apple store for a trade-in evaluation, and they’d apply its value to your new purchase.
E-Waste Recycling Events and Programs
Some electronics retailers, such as Best Buy, will arrange programs for electronics disposal of anything you have on hand. If you can’t find any info on their website, then get in contact with them to ask.
Your city or municipality may host a regular e-waste collection event. Contact them or ask around to see what options you have to get rid of broken electronics.
Dispose of Your E-Waste Today
Old electronics should not go into your regular garbage, as this pollutes the environment and wastes precious materials. Instead, find an authorized way to dispose of and recycle these old components. That way, you protect the environment and help to reuse valuable metals in new generations of gadgets.
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