What the Tech? How to Recycle Old Electronics
By JAMIE TUCKER Consumer Technology Reporter
When was the last time you had a TV repaired? We don’t do it anymore because it’s cheaper just to buy a new one when the old one stops working. It’s easy to toss the old one in the trash, but that’s a terrible idea.
Computers, phones, and TVs contain lead, mercury, and chromium. Toxic materials cause all types of health problems. Yet tons and tons of the devices and materials wind up in landfills every year, polluting the earth and the air.
So what can you do instead?
E-waste recycling centers are opening across the country. Many are non-profits that recycle electronics for free. Many of these organizations will accept most computers and will remove parts that can be used again.
The EPA has more information on where to take electronics: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling
Best Buy and Staples have recycling bins at many of their stores. They’ll accept computers, routers, printers, old hard drives, and small appliances. You can just drop them off at the door or the counter.
Best Buy just launched another recycling program where it’ll send you a box and shipping label. Fill the box with as many small electronics as you can and ship it back for recycling. Small boxes are $23 while larger boxes to hold more devices are $30.
Tech for Troops is a non-profit organization that collects laptop and desktop computers, unlocked phones, and tablets to give to veterans who need those devices. Visit their website www.techfortroops.org. Fill a box you already have with working devices, print out a shipping label and mail it in. Just make sure you include the charging cables. This is a great organization that helps veterans and their families.
For phones, most carriers will recycle them for no cost. There are also kiosks popping up in Walmart stores. Just bring your phone in, and answer a few questions about the phone’s make, model, carrier, and whether it still works or is cracked. You may not get as much as you want but it’s an easy way to recycle.
If a phone or tablet still works, give it a second life by using it as an e-reader, security camera, or TV remote control.
You might also find some electronics recycling events where you live that’ll take items for free.
The idea is to keep items like these as far from a landfill as possible.
