Tips For Dealing With E-waste

Everyone from diehard conservationists to the federal government is encouraging people to swap their old appliances and electronics for more efficient versions which bear the EnergyStar label. These new appliances, such as a new refrigerator or a dishwasher, utilize newer and upgraded parts that help reduce energy consumption. Using less energy is good for your wallet, and the planet, so it’s a good idea to take this advice if you have the resources.

However, refrigerators, computers, dishwashers, VCRs, dryers and other electronic appliances are part of the hazardous waste category commonly referred to as “e-waste”, and that means simply leaving them by the curb for the garbage truck isn’t an option.

RECYCLE

Electronics can’t be placed at the curb with your bottles and cans, and even if you arrange for pick up from your usual trash hauler, the odds are that they’ll simply toss it in the landfill. And then there’s the worry that the local electronics “recycler” might just ship them overseas where they’ll be picked over by low income families and then incinerated.

Good e-waste recyclers will dismantle the various components of your appliance so that the metals and plastics can be recycled seperately. Then, they will arrange for hazardous elements to be diposed of properly.

If you’re not to keen on finding a way to haul your old stereo all the way across town to the local e-recycler, you should know that there are several online services that will not only take your e-waste, they might even pay you for it! All you have to do is search for your device, agree to sell it back at the offered price, ship it in and wait for your check.

DONATE

If you’ve recently upgraded a phone, television or other popular electronic appliance, but the old version still works, it might seem like a waste just to ship it off to a recycler, even if there are few bucks in it for you.

You might also think about donating appropriate electronics to non-profit organizations that could use them to further their cause. It’s clean and a good deed.

Filed Under: Environment