Why electronics recycling matters
Have you ever counted the number of electronic devices you own? It’s likely more than you thought.
The average American has 24 devices per household, and with the constant release of new products, it’s no surprise that the world generates over 63 million tons of e-waste each year, which outweighs the Great Wall of China.
Most of the materials used in electronic devices are not only recyclable, but some are also very valuable. For example, cell phones contain precious metals such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium. Imagine throwing those into the landfill! The mining of these resources carries a significant environmental impact associated with land and energy use for extraction and production.
In contrast, recycling these materials consumes considerably less energy. The precious metals found in electronic waste can be repurposed for manufacturing new products, thereby diminishing the need for virgin materials. Any type of metal is recyclable, requiring only a fraction of the energy used and retaining its quality through the process.
Another important reason to recycle e-waste is that most devices are considered hazardous waste, containing toxic compounds such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chlorine, bromine, and flame retardants. When not disposed of properly or landfilled, these harmful chemicals leach into soil and groundwater. If electronic devices are incinerated, these chemicals go airborne and create dangerous air pollution.
Because of their hazardous nature and high recyclability, keep electronics out of our landfill!
E-waste is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream, posing a massive environmental challenge. Learn why it matters and discover additional simple ways to reduce your electronic footprint today.
What you can recycle
Just about anything with a plug or charger is recyclable, including charging cables themselves. This includes devices such as:
- Computers, laptops, printers, and other components, like keyboards, mouse, sound or memory cards, hard drives
- Televisions; note that free tv
- Landline and cell phones
- Tablets & e-readers
- GPS equipment, security system components
- Video game consoles and controllers
- Digital cameras (including dash and web cams), camcorders, lenses, binoculars, digital photo frames
- Audio-visual (A/V) equipment, such as projectors, speakers, stereos, and headphones
- Small appliances, i.e. kitchen countertop appliances, hair styling tools, vacuums, fans, space heaters, alarm clocks (click here for info on recycling large appliances in SLC)
- Any cord, cable, charger, or connector
Does it still work? Where to donate electronics
Passing on working electronics is a great way to get rid of unwanted devices, extend their lifespan, and help others out.
- Trade in. Some items may be traded in via the manufacturer, while Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target have electronic trade-in programs. Trade in cell phones with your wireless carrier.
- Sell. Local or online marketplaces are a good option.
- Donate. Try thrift stores or your area Buy Nothing group.
How to recycle electronics
You probably have numerous electronics gathering dust in your home. One study found that 30% of cell phones and video game consoles in people’s homes are not in use. 20% of TV and video-player equipment and 12% of electric cooking tools are also sitting unused. Create some space and say goodbye to old relics like camcorders, digital cameras, first-generation iPods, and Walkmans. Read more about electronic hoarding in this Time article.
- Best Buy and Staples are the best all-around places to recycle just about any electronic device or cable; check the links for exact materials accepted. There is no charge for items at either location, except for a $30 fee for TVs at Best Buy; Staples does not accept TVs. Free TV recycling is a rarity since televisions contain hazardous materials and require special care to recycle. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) GreenerGadgets program is a great resource to find other local e-waste recycling options,
- Mail-in recycling. If you don’t live near a big box store with a recycling program, Staples also offers a paid online tech recycling program. Amazon will recycle small electronics for free. Additionally, many manufacturers have their own recycling programs.
- If your city has bulk waste pickup, check whether e-waste recycling is part of the program, especially for large items. My city accepts electronics in the bulk waste collection and will take them to be recycled.
- For large items, you could try a waste hauler like Junk King. According to their website, they reuse, repurpose, or recycle 60% of what they haul away.
Do NOT put electronics or batteries in household recycling.
Tips on recycling specific electronic devices
Audio-visual equipment
- Best Buy and Staples both have extensive list of audio/video equipment they will accept; check their site for specific items. Epson projectors can be sent in for recycling free of charge.
- Skullcandy will give you 30% of your purchase for sending them any brand of headphones or earbuds for recycling. You can also send them a selfie of you dropping them off for recycling or donation.
Cables & cords
Cables & Cords
Who doesn’t have a thousand extra USBs and other charging cords lying around? If you have any extra new, unused phone charging cords, donate them to the YWCA or a homeless shelter.
Any old, broken, or unwanted cords and cables can be recycled at Best Buy, Staples, or Amazon.
Cameras
Best Buy accepts digital and SLR cameras, video cameras, lenses, memory cards, and digital photo frames. Some camera manufacturers like Epson and Canon offer recycling programs. Nikon has a trade-in program.
Car audio & tech
Best Buy accepts CB radios/scanners – Radar detectors – Decks – Security systems – In-dash GPS – Speakers/amps – Outdoor GPS – Wiring harnesses and install kits – Portable GPS
CD & DVD players
Recycle CD & DVD players at Best Buy or Staples.
Recycling DVDs and CDs
Pack your own box of ‘techno-trash’ and ship to GreenDisk. They accept all forms of electronic media and their cases: diskettes, zip disks, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs, video tape, audio tape, game cartridges, DAT, DLT and virtually all other type of computer tapes. Numerous other products are also accepted, check their website for the list.
Cell phones
If your cell phone is in good shape when you decide to upgrade, you can always sell it or trade it in through your carrier or manufacturer, but consider donating it to a charity like Cell Phones for Soldiers or the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Where to recycle old cell phones
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of recycling your old cell phones. These devices have become the most prolific type of e-waste on the planet. There are around 16 billion cell phones in use around the world, and each year about 5 billion of those are disposed of.
On average, people replace their phones every 18-24 months, with only about 15% getting recycled properly. The rest end up stashed in drawers or in the landfill, where toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, and arsenic leach out, contaminating soil and ground water.
You may not realized cell phones contain valuable metals like gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and copper. A USGS study determined that for every million cell phones recycled, 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. Recycling is a much more environmental friendly option that decreases the need to mine for virgin materials.
Check Call2Recycle for the cell phone drop off location nearest you. Carriers offer trade-in or recycling options, as well as manufacturers like Apple or Google.
Best Buy, Staples, and Amazon will accept phones and chargers for recycling.
Cell phone cases & accessories
- Phone cases can be recycled at Staples.
- Try Casetify, where you can send in any brand of phone case to be recycled at no charge, and for doing so, the company will give you a 15% discount on a new one.
- PopSockets (which is a certified Climate Neutral company) can be recycled through a free mail-in Terracycle program; this program also accepts any brand of phone case.
Clock radios & alarm clocks
Recycle clock radios and alarm clocks at Best Buy.
Computers
Where to donate a computer
There are numerous organizations that will appreciate the donation of your unneeded computers. Try a local school, Goodwill, or non-profit. Computers with Causes and Digitunity are two organizations that can help connect you with local donation opportunities.
How to recycle computers
- Recycle computer parts of all types at Best Buy and Staples. They will accept computers, laptops, tablets, e-readers, and most computer accessories such as keyboards; check sites for list of specific items. Best Buy does charge a $29.99 fee to recycle computer monitors, and they must be 49″ or smaller; Insignia and Dynex brands are free. Staples website lists computers as acceptable but does not specify anything about computer monitors.
- Amazon will recycle small items like keyboards, mice, tablets, and e-readers.
- As with all electronics, check with the manufacturer for recycling programs. Apple offers free recycling with the purchase of a computer.
- Recycle tablet and e-reader cases at Staples.
Copy machine
Recycle copy machines at Staples.
Fax machine
Recycle fax machines at Staples or Best Buy.
Printers
Recycle printers at Best Buy. Epson printers can be sent in for free recycling.
Televisions
Televisions can be the most difficult type of e-waste to recycle because many recyclers will not take them. Free TV recycling is difficult to find since they contain hazardous materials and are difficult to recycle. Do not dispose of old or broken TVs in the trash; they need to be taken to a hazardous waste drop-off location, such as at your local landfill. Best Buy charges $29.99 for tv recycling.
Video game consoles
Trade-in or sell at stores like GameStop or Game Changerz.
Where to recycle video games and consoles
Best Buy will accept cables and connectors, portable LCD screens, controllers and keyboards, and consoles. Staples will accept consoles. Amazon is another option.