Recycling Electronics

Recycling electronics, televisions, computers, peripherals (including printers, scanners, and faxes),mice, keyboards, and cell phones totaled about 2.5 million tons. That’s almost 2 percent of the entire municipal solid-waste stream, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That number is steadily increasing as technological innovation makes products obsolete more quickly.

Fortunately, recycling electronics needn’t be difficult. Here are straightforward steps to follow and organizations that help ensure that unwanted devices are disposed of in a safe and eco-friendly manner.

First, consider reusing the device. Are you sure that computer or television has reached the end of its life? Can it be economically repaired or upgraded? Perhaps your computer is operating more slowly than it used to, or it crashes a lot. The problem might not lie with the hardware; it could be the software. The life expectancy of a computer is around 7 years, but the life span of software is generally only 3 years. So before you replace your computer, try using software-optimizing utilities to clean up your system.

If you can no longer use an electronic device, consider finding it a new home instead of discarding it. This approach reduces the amount of new materials in the waste stream. Plenty of organizations are willing to take a functional machine off your hands. The most appropriate end organization for your equipment might be a charity, a local school, or a materials exchange. Businesses might be able to reap a tax incentive for donating computer equipment, thanks to the 21st Century Classrooms Act.

Before donating electronics, make sure the equipment is still usable, and check the donation organization’s minimum requirements. Some might not accept a system with an old processor or one that runs only Windows 95 or 98. The same might be true for outdated equipment like a dot-matrix printer.

If reusing, repairing, or donating your electronics isn’t a realistic option, then it’s time to turn to recycling. Many municipalities offer computer and electronics collections as part of household hazardous-waste collections. Alternatively, many electronics manufacturers now accept used household electronics for recycling. In some cases, these services are free, though you might have to pay for postage.

Other disposal options may include a county recycling drop-off center, a TV repair shop, an electronics recycling company, or even a local electronics retailer that collects used products and sends them to a recycler. Staples, Office Depot, and Radio Shack are among companies providing these services.

One useful resource for finding recyclers is mygreenelectronics.org, a Web site run by the Consumer Electronics Association. It identifies local recyclers based on ZIP codes. For recycling cell phones or batteries, check out the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation Web site at rbrc.org. It has a searchable database of drop-off locations for organizations that provide recycling services.