Here's how to get your personal data off a laptop , for example. Once that's done, here are your options. Plenty of nonprofit organizations and local communities offer options to help you recycle old electronics.
One group, Call2Recycle, offers drop-off locations for rechargeable batteries and cell phones all over the U. Access may be limited due to concerns about COVID, so before leaving home, be sure to contact the drop-off location to confirm it's open and accepting recyclables. For more options, or to learn how e-waste gets recycled, consult Sustainable Electronics Recycling International , which lists facilities certified for electronic recycling.
You can start by checking local organizations for older people and recreation centers. Make sure to get a receipt so that you can deduct your donation on next year's tax return. Here are a few other programs that can help you get your old devices to people who need them. Many electronics manufacturers and retailers offer robust recycling programs. The following are just a few of the many programs that allow consumers to recycle old electronics.
We love our planet, right? On the " Consumer " TV show, Consumer Reports reveals the five items you should always recycle rather than toss into the trash bin. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. How to Recycle Old Electronics 3 smart, responsible tactics for getting rid of unwanted laptops, phones, and more. By Yael Grauer. Old clothes and items go into a donation pile; other things might be great to give away. But then… you pull open that drawer full of your old electronics: phones, speakers, music players and more.
What do you do with these? As electronics get smaller and more ubiquitous, more devices are hibernating in drawers, closets, attics and garages. As part of our sustainability commitments , Google has committed to including recycled materials in all our consumer hardware. The future of electronics recycling depends on developing better technologies that extract materials from discarded products, too.
Many cities have numerous drop-off options at retail or municipal locations, and major electronics brands also offer mail-in services for old devices. To learn more, Google talked with individual users about their electronics recycling struggles. The lessons — which are outlined in our white paper Electronics Hibernation: Understanding Barriers to Consumer Participation in Electronics Recycling Services — were both surprising and familiar.
People have relationships with their electronics that extend beyond their usefulness — the way we think about our devices is completely different from how we think about an empty juice bottle, for example. Our research identified major barriers to consumer electronics recycling, and we hope that by sharing these initial insights, we will encourage others to join the conversation and inspire new ideas.
Electronics recycling services have nowhere near those levels of awareness, even though they are offered by major brands that people are familiar with. A quick internet search will show plenty of results, but it can create more questions than answers as consumers wade through the complexities of what devices are eligible, varying costs and deciding which services seem reputable enough to consider.
An old laptop that still works seems like it should be worth something. For some, an old smartphone might be useful as a backup if they lose or damage their newer one. Other products still have emotional value even as they sit unused — a laptop may represent cherished college years, or a music player may remind us of a fun activity.
These all represent value, and ironically, that can make recycling seem like a waste. While the hardware might not be valuable, the documents, photos and videos often are. This issue has led to a dramatic build-up of e-waste and an upsurge in dangerous battery disposal. We must try to figure out how to responsibly recycle old electronics this holiday season. This means avoiding e-waste in the landfill and safe battery disposal.
Nearly everything has turned into an electronic device these days—watches, cigarettes, scooters, even books! With so many options on the market, there is a drive to constantly upgrade to the newest version.
The holiday season highlights this need to upgrade with awesome deals, Black Friday sales, and new products being released. Of course you want to show your loved ones you care by getting them the newest, coolest device. So, how do you recycle those old electronics? Time to get rid of it! Well, you could easily be adding to the ever-growing problem of e-waste. According to a UN report, a whopping Not only is that a lot of wasted recyclable materials, such as gold, silver, copper, and platinum, the majority of those devices likely carry rechargeable batteries.
When disposed of improperly, rechargeable batteries carry a high risk of fire or combustion. If you damage rechargeable batteries by crushing or compacting them , they can quickly overheat. One more dangerous factor of e-waste in landfills is the exposure of toxins. If incinerated, there are potential air pollutants. If landfilled, there are potential ground and water pollutants from most e-waste.
Repairing old electronics will help give them a second life. Once you revive that old device, you can pass it along, donate, or sell it to keep it out of the landfill. Repairing an item is actually a way to recycle those old electronics. If your used devices are still working, the best way to recycle them would be to give them a second life with someone else. Most devices are likely not accepted in your curbside recycling program. Instead, here are 4 simple ways to recycle old electronics after your holiday upgrades:.
You can always check any item individually using the What Goes Where tool on the Recycle Coach app, or contact your household hazardous waste program.
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