What You Need To Know About E-Waste Recycling
The pervasive use of electronics has dramatically increased convenience in everyday life. Unfortunately, it has also created a drastic problem with e-waste. To help with this problem, e-waste recycling is rapidly growing to help cut down on the amount of damage that old electronics cause the environment. Here are some things you should know about e-waste disposal and recycling:
What Is E-Waste?
E-waste includes any old electronics that can place dangerous chemicals if it is not disposed of properly. You should never place any sort of electronic waste into the regular landfill. The batteries and other electronic components can leech dangerous chemicals into the ground and negatively impact the earth.
E-waste can include laptops or desktop computers, old cell phones, corded phones, tablets, televisions, small kitchen appliances, and any other item that has an electrical cord or battery.
What Are the Options for E-Waste Recycling?
You have several options for recycling your e-waste. Some towns and cities host collection events. You can take all your e-waste to the collection location and recycle everything all at once. You may also have the option to mail in your e-waste through a mail-back recycling program. With these programs, you can request a prepaid box, fill it with your old electronics, and send it back to the organization hosting the program. You may also be able to recycle smaller e-waste through an ATM-like machine located in stores and other populated areas. In addition, you can always donate your e-waste to charity as long as it still works. If the e-waste no longer functions, you may also find a place to donate your e-waste for parts.
What Are the Benefits of E-Waste Recycling?
In addition to preventing the addition of dangerous waste in landfills, there are some additional benefits to recycling your e-waste. Through the recycling process, many components within the e-waste are still useful and can be recovered. Things like glass, copper, silver, and gold can all be extracted and reused elsewhere. Recycling also utilizes less energy than the manufacturing of a new product.
What About Lithium-Ion Batteries?
The batteries used primarily in electronics are lithium-ion batteries. The delicate wiring inside these batteries can cause them to combust and explode. If you do not recycle any other form of e-waste, you definitely need to recycle lithium-ion batteries. They should never go into a regular trashcan or recycling bin.
If you have any questions about recycling e-waste, contact your town's sanitation department to find out the options where you live.