Electronics Recycling: Why Should I Recycle?

Part One of our new Tuesday series on recycling electronics is dedicated to the individual, and how recycling your personal electronics can help the environment.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association, Americans now own approximately 24 electronic products per household. Constant technology upgrades mean most products become outdated in 3-5 years. These updates lead to an abundance of electronic waste but there is a right and a wrong way to get rid of those outdated products. Recycling electronics, known as “eCycling”, is becoming law in many states.

Personal eCycling Tips

Before donating any electronics to a drop-off site, we recommend removing any indication of ownership. Wiping the hard drive on an old computer and removing contacts from an outdated cell phone can help protect your identity in the future.

Why Recycle Your Electronics?

Electronics, like desktop computers and cell phones, can take hundreds of years to decompose all the while allowing chemicals to seep into the earth. To properly ensure your electronics are recycled by EPA standards it is necessary to visit a drop-off site like TechR2.

According to the EPA, recycling one million laptops saves as much energy as is used in 3,500 U.S. homes in a year. For every million cellphones 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. Along with saving energy and preserving the environment, eCycling reduces waste content in landfills and the pollution caused from burning these non-biodegradable items.

Free Fridays at TechR2

Drop off your recyclable electronics every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Most electronics can be properly recycled to Environmental Protection Agency standards at no cost to the individual. Some exceptions apply contact us for more information.

• Recyclable Electronics
• Desktop computers and monitors
• Laptops and tablets
• Printers and ink cartridges
• Cell phones
• Camcorders and cameras
• And more…

Referenced sites: www.epa.gov and www.greenerideal.com

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