How to recycle your old electronics

Browsing through my overwhelming collection of publications (I never throw them away!!) I (fortuitously) found an article documenting locations where we can dispose of old electronics. (The folks at Computers With Causes did not contact me.)

In Sam's Club publication "Source" [June/July 2007] Kathy Summers writes: "In today's world, we increasingly rely on electronic devices to manage our days--computers, PDAs, mp3 players, cameras, cell phones and TVs, just to name a few. But as manufacturers create newer, better, smaller and cheaper electronics, hundreds of thousands of old and obsolete models pile up in landfills, creating potentially hazardous e-waste. Older electronics release more toxic chemicals, such as lead, mercury and cadmium, into the environment. These chemicals can cause problems if they're not disposed of responsibly. 'Electronic equipment currently represents only 1 or 2 percent of the country's waste stream,' said an Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson, 'but it is growing quickly.'

"Not only does eBay help sell your outdated electronics, it also offers information about recycling and donating broken or obsolete products that have no resale value. Other resources like Freecycle and SwapThing also provide ways to get rid of used electronics. Freecycle helps you give away used, but still functioning products to people actively seeking those types of products. SwapThing helps you trade or barter products that are no longer needed for something you want from someone else."

I haven't copied all of her article but want to give you additional information: Earth911 1-877-EARTH-911, and GreenDisk 1-800-305-3475.

From eBay: "Wireless devices, including cell phones, are one of the most commonly replaced and upgraded consumer electronics products, but individuals and businesses are often at a loss when it comes to getting rid of such items in environmentally sound ways," said Cathy Siciliano, director of eBay's Cell Phones & Portable Electronics categories. "Through Rethink, we want consumers to know that the industry has created a wealth of methods for them to dispose of those items responsibly, including finding new users for such goods by selling on eBay or donating to charity."

Saturday, 6/06/09 Postscript: I found this company, A-1 Electronics Recycling as a paid Google ad along the left side of my blog. This is their Mission Statement: "Here at A-1 we are committed to finding an equitable solution for the electronic waste epidemic so that we can not only preserve our environment and health but also out nations economic strength for our children.

"On an ongoing basis A-1 Electronic Recycling researches and improves it processes in order to practice the upmost ethical and resourceful procedures in order to educate citizens and businesses on the hazards of improper disposal of e-waste and the many beneficial options. The e-waste epidemic is not only nationwide but is now worldwide. Just as we get many of our products but also much our food from many countries around the world other than our own, we have made it our duty to insure we abide by standards in order to preserve our earth as a whole."