How to recycle household electronics

Unfortunately, we've become a disposable society with the likes of disposable plates, utensils, diapers and product packaging, but adding old electronics to the garbage heap is a huge mistake. Electronic waste (e-waste) accounts for 70 percent of the overall toxic waste in landfills. Is there a better way? Absolutely!

What kinds of hazardous materials are we talking about?

The amount of toxins that can accumulate in landfills from a variety of electronics is frightening. The following hazardous materials are an example of common components of a PC that can leach into the environment creating a cumulative impact upon humans, animals, and plant life. In 1998, the National Safety Council Study estimated that in one year's time about 20 million computers alone became obsolete. Since then, that number has more than doubled, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Components of all electronics include various amounts of these and other hazardous materials (See PDF document for details). Keeping these potentially dangerous materials out of landfills and incinerators and recycling them just makes plain sense!

•    Lead
•    Barium
•    Beryllium
•    Mercury
•    Cadmium
•    Plastics
•    Brominated Flame Retardants
•    Hexavalent Chromium

What options are there other than the trash pile?

•    Donate — Technologically speaking, there's a lot of truth in the old yard sale adage, "One person's trash is another person's treasure." That old computer might be garbage to you, but a blessing to someone unable to afford the newest and the best. Whether it's a computer, VCR, cell phone or other piece of electronics, it can possibly be upgraded or refurbished for someone else's use. If you've recently upgraded to a TV with HD capabilities, your old TV can still be used by someone else with an inexpensive converter box added on. Schools, retirement communities, and non-profit organizations are only a few examples of groups that might be thrilled to receive your electronic hand-me-downs.
•    Recycle — Broken or extremely old electronics need to be recycled. Various components, like circuit boards, hard drives, and chemicals, are separated out of the items and sold for reuse. An old, non-flat panel computer monitor, for example, may contain from 4 to 8 pounds of lead that would be much safer reused than sitting in a landfill. Some recycle organizations charge a fee for recycling electronics. You may need to search for one that's free or fits your budget. Another option may be to donate the item(s) to a charity thrift shop for resale or recycle.

What are some examples of electronics that can be recycled or reused?

Examples of items listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency include:
•    TVs
•    Computers/monitors/hard drives
•    Cell phones
•    Printers
•    Copiers
•    Radios
•    Telephones
•    PDAs
•    Video games
•    Fax machines

Where can I go to donate or recycle old electronics?

Consider donating to local schools, retirement communities, and non-profit organizations. You may want to post working and non-working items on Craigslist. Also, the EPA points us in the right directions for recycling or donating through the following outlets:
•    Local recycling programs
•    Manufacturer or retailer programs

•    Government-Supported Donation and Recycling Programs

More help with recycling/donating my electronics?

United States

•    EPR2 Project: Electronic Equipment Recyclers Contact List

•    ElectronicsRecycling: Database Search

•    EPA: Wastes-Partnerships-WasteWise Program

•    EPA: Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronic Products?

•    Recycle It America

International

•    International Association of Electronics Recyclers

•    Metech: Consumer Computer and Electronic Recycling Program

What's my last resort for disposing of an old piece of electronics?

Your last resort should never be tossing it in the garbage! Go back and reread the various suggestions, check out the various sites, Google for recycling opportunities in your community and consider the variety of options. We owe it to our children, the environment and the future of this planet to make the best decisions when disposing of our old electronics.

More about recycling On SheKnows:

Recycle chart

Make him go green:How to teach your man to recycle

Reuse before recycling: Give your garbage a second life!

5 easy ways to love our planet: Go green