Because you shouldn’t just dump your old tech in the trash.
Daniel Grizelj/Getty Images
We all know (hopefully!)
that we shouldnt just toss an old phone in the garbage.
Photo:Daniel Grizelj/Getty Images
And while theres no one-size-fits-all solution, thereareoptions.
We talked to experts for the lowdown on how to recycle electronics properly.
Why Recycle Electronics?
Did you know theres gold in electronics?
Especially in cell phones, says Handwerker.
Old electronics actually contain a number of valuable elements like silver, palladium, and platinum.
Now, we as individuals cant exactly extract these elements from a phone.
“You’re actually saving your environment in a tangible way,” she adds.
Those chemicals are potentially dangerous to human health when they get out to the environment, he says.
What Types of Electronics Can Be Recycled?
The good news is a lot of our old gadgets are able to be recycled.
Traditional devices that people use every day, Napoli says, can be processed and recovered.
Youve got personal data on devices, Napoli says.
That’s not something that users want to get out into the world.
So making sure that your material is recycled responsibly also means that your data is destroyed.
Then, wipe it.
The factory reset functionality is actually very good in terms of protecting us, Napoli says.
Recycling Options
Heres where things can seem overwhelming.
Theres no one overarching program for recycling electronics, Napoli says.
Twenty five states have something on the books about e-waste, 25 states dont.
So there’s no consistency.
The two prominent ones, he explains, aree-StewardsandR2.
A good starting point is your local government website.
Some manufacturers also offer take-back programs, they said, Apple andGoogleamong them.
And, remember that often electronics can be repaired, Handwerker says.
So if its still fairly recent, its worth checking with local organizations like schools and shelters.
Goodwill also accepts some electronics.
