E-waste: How and Where to Recycle Used Electronics
by You may be tempted to chuck that old laptop out the window and be done with it, but that would be childish, irresponsible, and definitely not environmentally friendly. Put that laptop, and all of your electronics for that matter, to good use by recycling them with these programs.
The junk drawer is looking mighty full these past few weeks. You’ve stuffed it to capacity with all of the old electronics your Christmas gifts replaced. The second generation iPod you’ve been carrying around for years has a sleeker iPad to take its place. Your old Blackberry Pearl has been tossed in favor of the Torch. Every year, you have a new electronic product in your hands, and an old product to tuck away in a corner and forget about. Eventually, you’ll just end up throwing it all away into your nearest garbage can – especially when it comes time to move.
You can save on moving services by reducing how much stuff the movers actually carry, so all of that e-waste that has been collecting dust will soon end up in a landfill. It’s a good thing you’re actually thinking about money, because now you can find out how to cash-in on the e-waste you’ve been hoarding. But even when there aren’t dollar signs involved, you can feel good knowing that your old electronics are helping someone else, instead of living in the dump keeping future Wall-Es company for the next several hundred years.
MovingCost.com has done the research for you, and we have gathered information on the top organizations and businesses you can send your e-waste to. You’ll either make a buck from your cell phones or embrace your inner Good Samaritan by sending old PCs and laptops to a nonprofit that needs you. Without further ado, here are the best places to send your e-waste:
Televisions
Do you remember where you bought your TV? Many stores have a take-back program for your old TVs if it’s no longer working. You can also drop your TV set off at a Best Buy near you. But if your TV still works, donate it to Goodwill!
iPods & MP3 Players
Wipe your iPod or MP3 player clear of all data. Once that’s done, you have your pick of the litter as to which organization you want to send your old iPod to. You can sell your functional old model to BuyMyTronics.com, or if it no longer works, send it in to Apple for proper disposal and parts recycling.
Laptops and PCs
Obsolete laptops and old PCs can be sent to Green Disk. It costs almost $35 to ship your computer and monitor to them, but they will make sure that the parts are properly recycled and disposed of. If your computer is still in working order, try to sell it using sites like Eco-Cycle Exchange or Craigslist.org. You can also send it to Computers with Causes to help veterans of war, or send your laptops to Recycling for Charities.
Cell Phones
Some of our cell phones take quite the beating from us. You can finally get rid of the models that don’t work by checking out Call2Recycle. Type in your zip code and you will find cell phone drop-off locations close to home. Show your support for the troops by mailing in your phone to Cell Phones for Soldiers.
CDs & DVDs
If you have a lot of old movies and CDs that you have uploaded to your computer, it’s time to send those unwanted DVDs and CDs to your local library. They will gladly take these items off your hands. But what if you’re talking about rewritable CDs and DVDs? Best Buy now has kiosks that accept CDs and DVDs for recycling!
Think before you throw out your e-waste, and get some money back when you resell it. Or, you can help others by donating it to a charity in need!
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