Did you know that used electronics that end up in landfills around the world are responsible for about 70% of the overall toxic waste found in landfills? Even though electronics only contain a small amount of toxic materials in each item, we dump between 20 and 50 million tons of ewaste into landfills around the world on an annual basis (Earth911.com). That means small amounts of toxic chemicals in used electronics can really add up, which is one of the main reasons you need to make sure your used electronics stay out of landfills! Here are three different options for dealing with used electronic items in an environmentally friendly way:
1. Lease in the first place
If you know you’re going to be using electronic items for only a few months or a year or so, why not consider leasing them? Many manufacturers, including IBM, HP, and Apple have leasing programs that are especially great for businesses. These programs ultimately extend the life of used electronic items, and they can also make electronics cheaper for you in the long run if you’re constantly in need of upgrades!
2. Donate used electronic items
There are many programs around the country that accept used electronic items for donation. Here in San Diego, you can drop off working or non-working items at Recycle San Diego, who will refurbish computers, cell phones, and other electronics. Before you donate, make sure you clear any personal information off of your electronics, and do a bit of research on the program you’re donating through. Some seemingly legitimate programs will actually just package up barely-working electronics and ship them to third world countries, where they get dumped into landfills, anyway.
3. Recycle non-working electronics
Once your electronic items have reached the end of their useful lives, recycling them is a great option. Electronics recycling companies are becoming more common, as we learn new ways to break down electronic goods into their component parts so that we can recycle individual pieces of the electronics or reuse the metals that are in them. Companies like Recycle San Diego often run free electronics drop off days so you can get rid of your personal electronics. This company will even pick up large used electronic items from businesses and office buildings, securely shred your hard drives, and ensure that your items are responsibly recycled. If you don’t live in or near San Diego, you can find an electronics recycling program near you on Earth911.com.
