Recycle electronics to save resources and keep toxins out of the waste stream

Recycling old electronics allows for reuse of their component parts for new devices.  Reusing these materials reduces the metals and toxins that would otherwise end up in the waste stream and reduces the energy input for manufacturing new plastic and glass.  Citing a 2006, U.S. Geological Survey publication, the EPA reports that:

• Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 U.S. homes in a year.
  
• For every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.*
  

If your unwanted electronic device is still functional, consider donating it so it can be reused.  Computers may be given new life with a hardware upgrade instead of complete replacement.  Best Buy accepts many electronic devices for recycling and offers gift cards to trade-in qualifying devices.  Retriever.com will pick up electronics from your doorstep for recycling.  Keep an eye out for periodic recycling events in the area.  E Force Recycling posts a list of their events on their web page.  Check out the aFewSteps Recycling page and search our recycling list for how to handle specific items.

*”Electronics Donation and Recycling.” Last updated on August 23, 2022. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling

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