Omar Khalid
Electronic waste is a growing problem, with global e-waste topping 50 million metric tons in 2019, according to the United Nations Global E-Waste Monitor. Only a small fraction of this waste is properly recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills and e-waste graveyards, poisoning communities. It is important to recycle plastic electronics properly to reduce the environmental impact of e-waste and to recover valuable materials such as gold, copper, and plastic. Many retailers and manufacturers offer recycling programs for plastic electronics, and there are also nonprofit organizations and local communities that provide options for recycling or donating old devices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycling is the best option for dead plastic electronics | It is important to recycle dead plastic electronics properly to reduce e-waste and conserve materials and energy |
| Repairing is better than recycling | It is better to repair devices to reduce the amount of e-waste generated |
| Trade-in programs | Many retailers like Amazon, Apple, and Walmart offer trade-in programs for old electronics |
| Buy-back programs | Retailers like Best Buy, Staples, and Walmart offer buy-back programs in exchange for gift cards |
| Non-profit organizations | Call2Recycle, World Computer Exchange, and Cell Phones for Soldiers are some non-profit organizations that help recycle or donate old electronics |
| Local communities | Local communities and governments often have options to recycle old electronics |
| Manufacturer's website | Many manufacturers like HP, Epson, Canon, and Samsung offer their own recycling programs or refurbished devices |
| E-waste recycling locator | Many countries and regions have e-waste recycling locators to find facilities that specialize in electronic recycling |
| Toxic substances | Dead plastic electronics may contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium that must be carefully disposed of |
| Reuse and refurbishment | Old electronics can be refurbished and resold, giving a second life to 100% of the materials |
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What You'll Learn
Trade-in programs
Best Buy Trade-In Program:
Best Buy, the largest retail collector of e-waste in the United States, offers a convenient trade-in program for its customers. You can bring your old tech, regardless of where you bought it or how old it is, to any Best Buy store for recycling or trade-in. They also provide a mail-back option for those who don't live near a physical store. Best Buy's program covers a wide range of electronics, from cameras and cellphones to robot vacuums and speakers. You can use their Trade-in Calculator to estimate the value of your items and receive a Best Buy gift card for the accepted products.
Canon Recycling Program:
Canon offers a recycling program for its customers in the United States. You can order a shipping label online and recycle various Canon products, including binoculars, camcorders, cameras, printers, scanners, and video equipment.
Circuit City Trade-In Program:
Circuit City allows customers to trade in any qualifying consumer electronic product, such as PCs, laptops, servers, computer monitors, digital cameras, camcorders, multimedia projectors, audio receivers, game systems, mobile phones, and more. Payment can be made in cash, PayPal, donations to charities, or other options.
Costco Trade-In Program:
Costco has partnered with Gazelle, an electronics trade-in company, to offer a broader electronics trade-in and recycling program. Customers can trade in old gadgets and electronics through Gazelle.com and receive a Costco cash card that can be used at any Costco warehouse or online.
RadioShack Trade-In Program:
RadioShack customers can trade in or recycle any qualifying consumer electronic product, including MP3 players, cell phones, cameras, camcorders, GPS systems, car audio equipment, laptops, game media, and game consoles. RadioShack offers a gift card for the accepted products, and customers can get their items appraised at a store or online.
TradePort Trade-In & Recycle Program:
TradePort's program allows customers to trade their gently used electronics for cash while promoting environmental stewardship. You can send a list of your used electronics to them, and they will calculate the current market value and provide a personalized offer. Once accepted, they will provide a pre-paid UPS label for shipping.
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Donate to charity
Donating your old plastic electronics to charity is a great way to help conserve resources and natural materials. It is important to make sure that you are donating safely and correctly.
Firstly, ensure that any batteries are removed, as they may need to be recycled separately. Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries should not be placed in household garbage or recycling bins. Check your local area for specific recycling facilities.
There are several charities that will accept donations of old plastic electronics. These include:
- Goodwill Industries: One of the most popular places to donate used goods, with over 3,200 thrift stores in the US. They sell your donations and use the proceeds for employment training and job-placement programs.
- Computers with Causes: This charity accepts donations on a case-by-case basis. They will either donate your non-working device to a school lab for learning purposes or dispose of it through a "zero landfill" procedure, where devices are disassembled to prepare them for recycling or reuse.
- National Cristina Foundation: This foundation does not personally receive computers but is a platform that connects donors to local charitable organizations seeking donations.
- InterConnection: This charity collects used electronics, regardless of their working condition, and distributes them for charitable use.
- PCs for People: This charity will pick up electronics from businesses and organizations for free in several US states. They distribute computers to low-income families and nonprofits, and also recycle electronics.
- World Computer Exchange: This organization operates in 53 developing countries and aims to diminish the digital divide by providing computers and equipment to communities.
Additionally, you can sell your used devices on eBay for Charity and donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice.
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Recycle at specialist facilities
If you are unable to repurpose, reuse, repair, sell, or donate your plastic electronics, it is important to recycle them properly at specialist facilities.
Firstly, check with your town or city to see if electronics recycling is available at a local government facility. Many local communities offer options to help you recycle old electronics. For instance, Call2Recycle offers drop-off locations for rechargeable batteries and cell phones across the U.S. You can find your nearest location by entering your ZIP code on their website.
If you work in an office, ask your company's IT department to schedule an electronics recycling event once a year. An electronic waste recycler will come to pick up office waste and also collect consumer products like tablets at no cost.
You can also look for specialist recycling facilities by entering your ZIP code and the product you want to recycle at the Computer Technology Association's Recycle Locator or Earth911's extensive recycling database. Earth911 also offers assistance over the phone. Sustainable Electronics Recycling International lists facilities certified for electronic recycling.
In addition, many electronics manufacturers and retailers offer robust recycling programs. For example, Best Buy offers a highly-regarded recycling program for a wide range of electronics, no matter where you bought them. Amazon offers gift cards for electronic devices, music CDs, and video games. Apple offers a trade-in program for its products, and also accepts Android phones, printers, and more. Walmart CExchange pays you for phones, tablets, game consoles, speakers, laptops, and wearables, and will dispose of them in an environmentally responsible way.
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Dispose of toxic substances
When disposing of plastic electronics, it is important to remember that they may contain toxic substances such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and heavy metals, which can pose significant risks to human health and the environment if not handled properly. Here are some ways to ensure the safe disposal of these toxic substances:
Remove Batteries:
Before disposing of any plastic electronic item, be sure to remove its batteries, as they may need to be recycled separately. Lithium-ion batteries, in particular, should not be placed in household garbage or recycling bins. Check with your state or community for specific guidelines on battery disposal.
Find Specialized Recycling Programs:
Many organizations and retailers offer specialized programs for recycling old electronics, ensuring that toxic substances are handled and disposed of properly. For instance, Call2Recycle provides drop-off locations across the U.S. for rechargeable batteries and cell phones. You can also explore options through the Computer Technology Association's Recycle Locator or Earth911's recycling database.
Trade-In and Buyback Programs:
Some companies offer trade-in and buyback programs that allow you to return your old devices for credit towards new purchases. Apple, for example, has a trade-in program that accepts not only iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks, but also smaller items like AirPods, even if they are broken. Sprint also offers a buyback program that provides account credits for mobile phones from any carrier.
Retailer Recycling Programs:
Major retailers like Best Buy, Office Depot, and Staples often have recycling programs for various electronic items, regardless of where you purchased them. They may offer store credit or rewards for your recycled items. For instance, Staples has a free electronics recycling program that offers $5 per month for recycling electronics, as well as rewards points for its members.
Manufacturer Recycling Programs:
Many electronic device manufacturers, such as HP, Epson, and Canon, offer their own recycling programs. Check the manufacturer's website or contact them directly to learn about their specific programs and how they handle toxic substances.
Local Government Facilities:
Check with your town or city to see if they offer electronics recycling at local government facilities. They may have specific procedures in place to manage toxic substances found in plastic electronics.
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Reuse and refurbish
If you are getting a new device, consider passing on the old one to family members, friends, or neighbours who can use it. You can also sell your old electronics locally or online. Platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Offer Up, Let Go, and Craigslist allow you to control the sale and pick-up/drop-off requirements. Sites such as BuyBackWorld and Gazelle will give you an offer, and you can mail in your device and then get paid.
Manufacturers like Apple and Samsung offer refurbished devices at a discount, and you can find loads of refurbished goods at Amazon. You can also check with local stores and manufacturers to see if they sell refurbished devices.
If you want to donate your old electronics, consider organizations such as Goodwill, which has a strong reuse hierarchy and aims to get as much as it can out of electronics before recycling them. You can also find local charities that accept electronics through Donation Town. Cell Phones for Soldiers is a nonprofit that sends overseas troops prepaid mobile phones so they can stay in touch with their loved ones. Recycle Health is another nonprofit that collects fitness trackers and gives them to underserved populations to encourage fitness.
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Frequently asked questions
Recycling dead plastic electronics is a task that must be handled properly. First, check if you can repair or repurpose your device. If not, you can recycle your device by removing any batteries, as they may need to be recycled separately, and then dropping it off at an electronic waste recycler. Many retailers, such as Best Buy, Staples, and Walmart, offer buy-back or recycling programs. Alternatively, you can trade in your old electronics for store credit or gift cards.
Recycling dead plastic electronics helps to reduce the amount of e-waste that ends up in landfills and prevents the poisoning of communities. Recycling also allows for the recovery and reuse of valuable materials, such as plastics, glass, metal, and aluminium.
Before recycling, make sure to wipe your personal information from old computers and phones. Also, check with your local government or community to see if there are any electronic waste recyclers or recycling programs available. Additionally, consider donating your old electronics to charities or non-profit organizations, such as Cell Phones for Soldiers or Recycle Health.
