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Recycle other electronics

All Practically Green: 2,747 or so people have DONE this action so far.

All Practically Green: 34 or so people have ADDED this to their action plan so far.

Why is "Recycle other electronics" green?

E-waste, otherwise known as discarded electronics, is one of the largest—and growing—contributors to solid waste today. This should come as no surprise considering how quickly the latest must-have gadgets become obsolete. And then what? People throw them out. Unfortunately electronics contain metals including lead, nickel, cadmium, and mercury that are extremely harmful if they end up in landfills, where they can leach into the ground and water. Some e-waste gets exported and burned—polluting the air and poisoning the workers charged with this unsafe task.

While computer and cellphone recycling receive the bulk of e-waste attention, many other electronic items can and should be recycled—including microwaves, home theater items, and all kinds of equipment associated with computers and cameras. Basically it’s good common sense to keep anything with a circuit board out of landfills. Bonus: recycling e-waste also recovers some natural resources like copper, gold, and silicon, which can be reused in manufacturing processes.

How to: Recycle other electronics

Try repairing and reusing before recycling. Reuse includes donating items you no longer find useful to an organization or someone who might find it very useful. If you prefer not to donate, you can also resell many electronics.

When the time comes to recycle e-waste, check online for the best options near you. Some towns have e-waste collection centers. Others organize occasional e-waste collection drives, as do environmental organizations as well as schools.

Manufacturers and even major retailers also accept most forms of e-waste. Call ahead about specific items before you lug them to a store.

  • EcoSquid
    • (0 Ratings)

    EcoSquid is a web platform that displays and ranks options for trading in, selling, or recycling your old electronics--everything from televisions to iPhones to game consoles.

  • Best Buy's E-cycle
    • (0 Ratings)

    Best Buy has their very own e-cycling center to help you safely recycle used equipment--no matter where it was purchased. They'll take just about anything, but double-check their list of acceptable items before hauling your electronics down to the store.

  • Earth 911
    • (6 Ratings)

    Search Earth 911's extensive database to track down recycling centers near you and learn how best to recycle, well, just about everything!

  • Gazelle
    • (3 Ratings)

    Gazelle provides an easy, fast, and safe way for you to buy, sell and recycle your old electronics--whether you want to sell a cellphone, a laptop, or any other of the more than 250,000 products they accept.

  • GreenerGadgets.org
    • (1 Rating)

    Got a pile of electronics collecting dust? Consult GreenerGadgets' "Recycle Electronics" tool to find a manufacturer, retailer, or certified eCycling location near you where you can recycle or donate used electronics.