Image courtesy of Morguefile.
By Heather Hamilton, contributing writer
While our attachment to our technology might suggest a burial befitting a king, experts warn that electronics in the ocean or ground aren’t exactly environmentally friendly. Because technology is ever-evolving, though, you may be left wondering what exactly we do with the carcasses of machines past.
Disposing of electronics means recycling them, but how?
Recycling centers
Most communities have ways to recycle old electronics, and Consumer Reports recommends Call2Recycle as a resource for looking up places to recycle rechargeable batteries and cell phones, two of the most recycled electronics.
e-Stewards, a nonprofit run by the Basel Action Network, is another option. They’re dedicated to overcoming environmental injustice and they offer a list of recyclers that meet their standards.
Your local landfill may also have resources available, or at least be able to recommend them, for technology disposal. Alternatively, a Google search of “technology recycling in (my city)” will turn up community events and locations where you can recycle your old electronics.
Donations
If your device still works, it is a good idea to consider donating it to someone else. Formal donation centers will usually accept working technology, or you might consider somewhere like a senior center for your used items. You can use the donation for a tax write-off and free up space for new gadgets.
Programs like Dell Reconnect, a partnership with Goodwill thrift stores, are great ways to dispose of your unwanted technology and help someone in need.
Contact the manufacturer
Many companies have existing recycling programs for their electronics, so looking up your manufacturer is a good place to begin. This EPA chart gives you a head start if you’re trying to recycle a common brand, so check it out.
Buyback programs
Because technology becomes obsolete so quickly, a lot of manufacturers offer buyback opportunities. Most cell phone companies have programs in which you can trade in an old device for a new one, and even Amazon will allow you to sell back your working electronics of almost any kind.
Some electronics retailers, like Best Buy, won’t buy your unwanted devices, but they do offer a robust recycling program that is outlined in detail on their website. For small items, they’ve got technology recycling bins right by the front door, and for others, they provide drop-off or sometimes even pick-up opportunities. Some items require a small fee, but most are free.
Staples and Office Depot offer similar programs with slightly less versatility than Best Buy’s.
Loose ends
A very important thing to consider before you part with your old devices is that it’s a good idea to wipe the hard drive of any personal information. While you may think you’ve cleaned your computer and smartphones by moving files into the trash, there’s a bit more to it — residual data remains stored in a variety of ways, which, depending on the content, may put you at risk for identity theft.
Consider hiring someone who can wipe your machine clean, or make sure the program you’re recycling it through does so — Apple’s does. There are also programs available online for a small cost (there are free ones too, but you get what you pay for) to help you out.
Sources: Consumer Reports, Call2Recycle, e-Stewards, Dell Reconnect, EPA, Best Buy
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
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