Question: How can I recycle my old electronics?
Answer: Perhaps armed with a new loot of electronics now that the holidays are over, consumers might find old cell phones, printers and TVs taking up space in junk drawers and basements. We’re used to recycling our paper and plastic, but the electronic detritus that surrounds us is harder to deal with. The good news is it’s becoming easier.
Retailers, manufacturers and government agencies have taken steps in recent years to make it easier to turn your old VCR into someone else’s next-generation DVD player. Companies including Apple Inc., Best Buy Co. and Staples Inc. all assist customers in recycling.
Whether it’s picking up the cost of shipping for old electronics or setting aside space in stores for customers dropping off decommissioned equipment, consumers will find many big retail chains are willing to help recycle. Some retailers take back only their own products, while others charge a small fee to recycle office electronics made by any brand.
This means there’s little reason to hang onto those Betamax VCRs and Atari video computer systems occupying precious space at home.
Thea McManus, deputy director of the Environmental Protection Agency’s municipal and industrial solid waste division, said consumers should consider donating used items such as computers and mobile phones to charities. The EPA’s Plug-in to eCycling program, a partnership with electronics manufacturers and retailers, has information on donating and recycling electronics on the EPA’s Web site, www.epa.gov/plug-in.
McManus said consumers should erase personal information before donating equipment such as computers and include original software and licensing information so that other users are able to take full advantage of the items.
But not all equipment is worth donating. Electronic equipment that wouldn’t be much use to others can often be recycled either through municipal or statewide programs or, increasingly, through manufacturers and big-box retailers.
“Check with your product’s manufacturer because they may be one of the companies that have a take-back program,” McManus said.
Old consumer electronics make up less than 2 percent of the municipal solid waste stream, according to EPA figures. But the amount of electronic waste, or e-waste, is growing. In 2005, consumers got rid of 2 million tons of electronics such as TVs, computers, printers and mobile phones. Of that, about 80 percent to 85 percent ended up in landfills.
Last year, the companies in the EPA initiative together recycled more than 47 million pounds of electronics. The energy savings is the equivalent of removing 32,000 cars from roadways for a year, EPA figures show.
“You’ll see a lot of the retailers jumping on the bandwagon and having an in-store collection program,” McManus said.
Associated Press
Web sites
Information on nearby recycling facilities by ZIP code.
http://earth911.org/
EPA information on donating electronics:
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/plugin/pdf/pcthing-con.pdf
EPA podcasts on recycling mobile phones or computers:
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/plugin/cellphone/newspods.htm
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