Did you know that the world produces as much as 50 tons of electronic waste every year? Of that, only about 17 percent will be properly disposed of.
Used electronics sent to landfills are extremely dangerous to the environment. They are not biodegradable, and they leak toxic chemicals that can impact air and groundwater sources and affect human health.
With more frequent upgrades to cell phones, computers, tablets, and other devices, the problem of recycling old electronics will only get worse. Part of the challenge is people not knowing what options they have to throwing them away. The information below lays these out, so you can do your part to help address this serious issue.
Reusing
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Reusing electronics is an often overlooked option to sending them to the landfill. Used cell phones or tablets that are still functioning have many uses. Alarm clocks, security cameras, and streaming-device remotes are just a few of them.
If you have young children, they might make use of your old device’s gaming or camera functions. Get creative: an old business tablet might make a good electric picture frame. This not only diverts sending electronics to the landfill but might keep you from having to buy more devices to serve these functions.
Trade-in or Sell
If your electronic device is still functioning, you may be able to sell or trade it in. There are many online forums for selling old phones and other devices, including Amazon, eBay, and Poshmark. Facebook Marketplace is a great option for selling used electronics locally.
Besides selling to individuals, refurbishing electronics is a lucrative business. Look online for companies that specialize in this. It won’t hurt to see what they are willing to pay for your old device.
If you plan to buy a new device from the same manufacturer, you may be able to get some trade-in value for your old one. It will depend on its age and condition, but companies like Apple make it easy to get a ballpark for what they will give you for an old phone.
Full disclosure: it may not be a ton of money, but it’s a straightforward way to get rid of your old device. There are a few other things to know before you sell or trade in your electronics.
Recycling
If you don’t think your device has any value, recycling used electronics takes very little effort. Most state and local governments have programs that recycle e-waste. There also are some useful online platforms for helping you identify recycling locations.
A lot of “big box” stores run electronics recycling programs. A good place to start is the store where you bought the electronics.
If that is not convenient, many office supply stores, like Staples and Office Max, will handle this for you. They will send your electronics to a third-party recycling program for a small fee.
Learn More About Used Electronics
Now that you have an idea of what options you have for disposing or selling used items, you can do your part in helping keep electronics out of landfills. With a little bit of effort, you can help the environment and possibly make a little money to put towards your new device.
We hope you found information on disposing of used electronics helpful. If so, be sure to check out some of our other posts on lifestyle, business, education, health, and many other topics.
