What to Do with Old Electronic Waste You Don't Use Anymore
We currently live in a digital world and it only continues to become more technologically reliant. We are going to have more and more electronics that will need to be disposed of especially as new devices are created. The electronic waste will only continue. However, throwing them away directly is both harmful to the environment and unsafe for humans.
Why is recycling old electronics so important? According to the EPA website, it helps conserve natural resources, less air/water, and greenhouse gas pollution. The example they used is, “Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 US homes in a year.” And within the digital world, there are plenty of laptops and phones that we should want to have disposed of properly, small things only get bigger especially when there are hundreds of thousands of small devices globally.
Not only that, but it can have bad health effects on adults and children if not disposed of properly. For example, it can have some serious health impacts on children such as changes in lung function, respiratory and respiratory effects, DNA damage, impaired thyroid function, and increased risk of some chronic diseases later in life, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease according to WHO.
Items that are commonly used within the digital world that would need to be recycled:
Large products
Computers
Tablets/Ipads
Printers
Scanners
Cameras
Small Products
Batteries
Portable Phone Chargers
Phones
Keyboards
Computer mouse
E-readers
monitors
How to Recycle Electronic Waste Locally
Now, I am sure you have looked around your office and already thought of a few items you could part with and recycle. But, it's one of those... "what now" situations, how do you actually go about doing that?
Start by looking locally, within your city or county as there may already be options right in your back door. For example, where I live in Chelan County my options are:
Chelan
Chelan PUD mentions a few options locally to recycle
For computers, e-readers, and products like that:
Located in Wenatchee
Second Beginnings Thrift
Located in East Wenatchee
Looking to dispose of Rechargeable batteries
Located in Wenatchee
Located in Chelan
The Chelan area also offers a Free Electronic Recycling Option (which does have some more limits) but can recycle some electronic waste products
Or the City of Chelan Recycle Center in Chelan
However, maybe you don’t have a ton of options around your town or existing towns nearby. See if there is anything within your state that you could ship out (or if you happen to make a trip somewhere, see what they have).
For example in Washington as a whole:
Check out E-Cycle Washington, which makes it easy for Washington residents to recycle their old electronics (both broken or not). They do not take everything but have a wide variety of digital world items they do take.
Once on their website, you can click “Find an E-Cycle location” and it takes you to another page where you can find a provider within your area - type in zip code, appliance, service type, etc. to help find the best option that will fit your needs.
In Eastern Washington:
In Western Washington:
Places to Recycle E-Waste Online + in the U.S.
Maybe now you feel like you have exhausted all options near you locally that would take your old electronic goods. Don’t fret, there are still plenty of places throughout the U.S. (and online!) that also have recycling options that you can take advantage of.
First, check out any Retail Stores that offer electronic recycling (you may have one near you or online options!)
Or maybe you are like me and don’t live too close to retail stores, check out these online recycling solutions
EDCO Disposal
Phool.co
Atlas Organics
Miller Waste Mills
Lastly, if for some reason you don't have these solutions are would like to consider a few more free options
Donate your electronics - maybe someone else can get use of them!
Fix them - sometimes we set items aside because they are no longer working. Before just tossing it, see if it is fixable.
Repurpose them - you never know the uses you may find for old electronics. For example, an old iPhone can be used as a TV remote for newer model TVs. Instead of throwing it away, upgrade your remote!
Finding Your Electronic Waste Solution
As we humans continue to advance technology and create more waste, we can’t forget we are still stewards of the Earth. We still need to do the best we can at disposing of things like electronics to help preserve our environment for ourselves, animals, and future generations to come. Together we all take small steps, like recycling our electronics to make our offices cleaner and the world better. 😊
If you are having issues finding what you need, contact us today for help assisting on tasks like these. Do you have any other places you have found that were great places to recycle not listed? Comment below!
Aleea
This blog post was updated on November 28th, 2023
