Happy Blog Action Day! What to do with your unwanted electronics

In honor of the first official Blog Action Day, I've decided to write about electronics recycling. As I was discussing possible topics with my friends and co-workers, the this issue kept coming up. It seemed like no one really knew what to do with their old televisions and computers, or other electronics once they were ready to get rid of them.

We all have a lot of fun keeping up with the latest computer, cell-phone and television technology, but we forget how extremely wasteful it can be. As we ditch our old devices in favor of the newest model, we're left wondering what to do with the outdated version we no longer have any use for. If you're like me, my old cell phones often end up forgotten about in a drawer. But, larger items, such as TVs and computers create a different challenge due to their size. So, the question remains, "What do I do with my old electronics items"?

Chromium, Cadmium, and Lead - Oh my!

Throwing out a TV creates much more than just aggravation for you. The average CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Television or monitor contains 4 pounds of lead, depending upon size and make. Electronics items may also contain other hazardous materials such as mercury, hexavalent chromium (found in circuit boards, batteries and CRTs), and cadmium. When these hazardous substances are not disposed of properly, they can be released into the environment. Old electronics are also beginning to consume a significant percentage of municipal waste. According to a recent study by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), electronics waste is already taking up 1 percent of the solid waste stream. And, according to a European study, electronics waste is growing at a rate 3 times as fast as other types of municipal waste.

What you can do about it - Reuse, Recycle and Reduce Electronics Waste

Reusing and Donating Electronics:

An easy way you can help reduce electronics waste is to donate your reusable electronics items. There are a ton of great places to donate your items, such as Goodwill, schools, and non-profit organizations. You'll not only be helping to preserve the environment, you'll also be benefiting your community by bringing technology to people and organizations that would not otherwise be able to afford or have access to the equipment. Also, don't forget to ask for a receipt for your tax records.

Another great way to get rid of your reusable items is to sell them at a garage or rummage sale. Many neighborhoods, churches and schools invite members to participate, or you could have your own.

Here are some examples of places to donate your reusable electronics.
Goodwill Industries - www.goodwill.org
Students Recycling Used Technology (StRUT) - www.strut.org
Learning and Information Networking for Community via Technology (LINCT) - www.linct.org
Materials Exchanges - www.epa.gov/jtr/comm/exchange.htm
Reuse Development Organization (ReDO) - www.redo.org

Recycling Electronics:

If you're not able to donate your unwanted electronics for reuse, you can recycle your old items instead. Recycling your electronics reduces the need to extract precious raw materials, as well as conserves the energy used in the manufacturing of new products. The best place to start looking for a place to recycle your items is within your local area. Your waste collection service may be able to pick up these items as part of household hazardous waste collections or special events. Otherwise, your best bet may be a local recycling drop-off center, TV repair shop, or recycling company (specializing in electronics).

Visit the sites below for help locating a recycling organization in your area.
EIA Consumer Education Initiative (CEI) - www.eiae.org
International Association of Electronics Recyclers (IAER) - www.iaer.org/search

A wiser, greener future

In order to truly make a positive environmental impact, and to gradually eliminate electronics waste, we need to change the way we consume electronics, even from the point of purchase. As consumers, we can choose to purchase environmentally preferable electronics over those that create excess waste and burn more energy. The number of products designed with environmental attributes will continue grow only if we show our preference toward these types of items.

Here are a few things you can look for when making your next electronics purchase.
• Fewer toxic components
• Recycled materials
• Energy efficiency(will display the"Energy Star" label)
• Ease of upgrading or disassembly
• Minimal packaging
• Lease or takeback options
• Recognized as environmentally preferable by independent certification groups

The EPA has a ton of great resources relating to electronics recycling if you're looking for more information. You'll find them at www.EPA.gov.

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