A 5 Step Guide to Recycling End-of-Life Electronics
What do you do with your old electronics? Are you recycling them or throwing them away? Well, I hope you are not throwing electronic waste out like any other garbage.
Over the years, consumers have thrown away electronics with the rest of the trash. As a result, landfills produce toxic chemicals, which harm the environment and humans as well. Waste collectors have raised concerns about the situation. These concerns provided information to consumers on electronics recycling and refurbishment.
If you are still unsure, follow these guidelines to avoid adverse environmental impacts when disposing of your electronics:
1. Ensure not to dispose of electronics in the trash.
Be a responsible electronics consumer. Regardless of your state’s law about the disposal of electronics or batteries, do not throw them away in the trash. These products contain toxins that should not be in landfills.
2. Reuse by donating or selling electronics.
An individual’s trash can be someone else’s treasure. You can donate your old electronics or sell them to reputable reuse organizations. These organizations recycle valuable metals from your old products into new ones. You can also try to find e-Stewards members who refurbish old, useless electronics.
Tip: Before donating your old electronics, cleanse all data from the hard drive. Some free software available is Active@KillDisk and Softpedia DP Wiper.
3. Recycle e-wastes or find an e-Stewards recycler in your state.
Recycling is the best option if you cannot donate your old or damaged product. But, many recyclers export your old products and dump them in developing countries. You can avoid this by finding recyclers who are members of the e-Stewards network. The e-Stewards guide implements procedures with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards.
Note: Try manufacturers’ free recycling programs if there are no available e-Stewards nearby.
4. Look for reputable retailers that recycle electronic waste.
Contact retailers if you cannot locate a direct e-Stewards recycler. Two of the most famous retailers for free recycling are Staples and Best Buy. They work with recycling companies that adhere to the highest e-Stewards standards.
5. Look for nearby cell phone recycling centers.
You can donate old cellular phones to recycling companies that accept them. Two of the known recycling companies for cell phones are Capstone Wireless and Call2Recycle. As a member of e-Stewards, they agree not to send e-waste to developing countries. They may also offer buyback programs so that you could get some money back for your old phone.
Remember that you cannot dump old electronics in the trash. One of the best solutions for disposing of them is by handing them to e-waste recyclers. E-waste recyclers are e-Stewards certified networks that specialize in reusing and recycling electronic equipment.
If you are looking for the best e-Stewards consultants for recycling electronics, then consider the McDonald Consulting Group. We provide up-to-date training, specialized consultations, and exceptional auditing. Our programs are perfect for individuals and groups that are interested in obtaining their e-Stewards and ISO certifications.
If you have questions, feel free to contact us for more information.