In the United States, electronic waste is on the rise at a startling rate...three times the rate of any other kind of trash. Electronics can be recycled or donated. What happens to cell phones, computer equipment, televisions and other devices? We trash them when they break or upgrade when needed. They get thrown out and sent to the landfill. So, when you do your spring cleaning around your home this year, recycle or donate your used electronics.
The truth is electronics contain toxic heavy metal components like lead, cadmium, beryllium and mercury that can and will pollute the environment. They also contain valuable metals like gold, silver and copper. It’s easy to dispose of or recycle back into the next generation of electronics. And, it’s cost effective for the customer.
When you begin your spring cleaning, look for used computers, hard drives, printers, video game players and other electronics that you have stuck in a closet or stored out of the way. Consider donating them to a local non-profit. You can find places like Goodwill that will gladly take them off your hands.
Many of us also have on old cell phone or two. Americans own cell phones and upgrade on an average of every 12 to 18 months. You can give these cell phones new life. Many providers will take back the old ones and recycle them for you. ReCellular is one of the world’s leading recyclers and resellers of cell phones. There is Cell Phones for Soldiers, which is an organization that provides prepaid calling cards for U.S troops stationed overseas. March of Dimes, Keep America Beautiful and Call to Protect are other non-profits that collect cell phones for their missions. If you have any old cell phones laying around, donate them and you’ll have a little extra space.
Instead of trashing these items, let them do some good by passing them on to those that can use them. You can also donate used clothing, toys, furniture and more when you do your spring cleaning around the home this year.
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