Disposing of Electronics the Right Way
When it comes to computers, cell phones, televisions, and other electronic equipment you no longer want, disposal is not a simple matter of putting the item out by the curb for the garbage man to pick up. Electronics need to be disposed of correctly to keep our environment safe and healthy and to adhere to local and national laws.
If you have unwanted electronic equipment, you have several options when it comes to disposing of them. They include:
Sell Them
Just because you don’t want your outdated smartphone any longer doesn’t mean someone else won’t! You might be surprised at how easy it is to sell electronic equipment that you are replacing or upgrading. If the device or item is still in working order, you might want to consider posting it on Craigslist or another local selling site. You can also promote on your social media to let friends and acquaintances know you have something you’d like to sell.
Donate Them
Want to help out your community and score some tax write-offs? You should consider donating your broken or outdated electronic devices to a local charity or non profit. Some of these organizations refurbish items for those they serve while others sell their parts or recycle them to raise money. If you can’t find a local organization that takes used electronics, you can try these resources as well.
Recycle Them
If you can’t sell your old electronics, the next option you should look into is recycling them. Because of the hazardous materials that are present in many electronic devices, you can’t put your electronics in with your paper bags and plastics by the curb. Many electronics also need to be broken down into their components to be properly recycled. That’s what it’s important to work with a professional company that has experience in the right way to recycle electronic equipment and devices. You can usually either drop off your electronics at their recycling location or a collection point. Some companies can even arrange to have your equipment picked up.
Computer Recycling Safety
If you are recycling, selling, or donating a computer, you need to consider the information you have stored on it. Private data such as bank accounts, credit card numbers, or social security numbers could still be present even if you think you’ve wiped your hard drive clean. To ensure that all of your data is unrecoverable, you must physically destroy the hard drive. If you work with a professional electronics recycler that you trust, you can ask them to perform the task so that your private information is kept safe.
Disposing of your unwanted electronic equipment doesn’t have to be a hassle. Determine whether you want to sell, donate, or recycle your unwanted items, then reach out to professionals that can help. If you have any questions about electronic disposal, please give us a call. We’d be happy to help!