Electronics disposal is a tricky topic to cover, as based on your location and the kind of waste you are trying to get rid of, the rules may be different.
It is important that before attempting to dispose of electronics or searching for electronic recyclers near me, you understand what is allowed by your local authority. The last thing you want to deal with when trying to clear out your home is fees from the local council because you have violated their rules regarding waste.
The disposal of electronics is something that every household will have to deal with at some point, as new technology is constantly being made. With each new update of smartphones, computer accessories, and devices like DVD players, you will want to get rid of the old model.
Is Electronic Waste Dangerous?
The main reason why the disposal of electric waste is such a difficult topic is the fact that all devices are made up of toxic materials.
E waste, which is the term given to old appliances and devices that are ready to be thrown away, contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants.
This is why electronic waste cannot simply be thrown in the trash with the rest of the debris from your home, as it is highly dangerous.
Not only could it be dangerous for your neighbors and the trash workers who have to dispose of e waste, but it also comes with a lot of damage to the environment too. Not disposing of or recycling e waste correctly runs the danger of contaminating the soil, polluting the air, and eventually running into water bodies.
This is dangerous for wildlife and human health alike and will have long-lasting effects on the environment.
Are We Recycling Electronics?
One of the best ways to dispose of electronics is by recycling it. You must go through a verified electronics recycle company in Washington D.C. to ensure that your e waste is being handled and recycled responsibly.
Due to the toxic materials and dangers to human health that electronic equipment can cause, you must go through a responsible electronics recycling company when disposing of these items. This will prevent your old appliances from polluting another nation or causing dangers elsewhere.
When searching for local companies that offer responsible electronic recycling, make sure these companies are verified by the Basel Action Network (BAN). Several major recycling companies in Washington DC are verified this way and offer responsible electronic recycling.
Going through these companies is a great way to ensure that your old equipment, computers, game consoles, or other technology will not be negatively impacting the environment or other people.
Do You Need To Throw It Away?
E waste can have a lot of negative impacts on the environment, which is why you are urged to consider whether your old equipment really needs to be thrown away at all.
Once you have updated your computers or smartphones, can you not think of a better home for the old equipment you now have lying around?
Instead of adding more e waste to the landfill, could you not instead make some money from your old devices or pass them on to a friend who can make use out of it?
This is only an option for technical equipment that is still in good working order and is not a danger to use, which means that computers need to have all of their parts and game consoles need to still be wired correctly to prevent damage.
There are a lot of options available for those who want to sell on their old equipment such as computers, DVD players, smartphones, and consoles.
You can go online to sites like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace to sell your old technology.
Buying second-hand technology is a great thing to do for the environment, as it prevents more toxic waste from being added to landfills and causing pollution, but it can also help you save money too.
If you are looking to get rid of old computers or other technology, selling it on for a reduced rate can be a brilliant option.
This is an effective form of electronics recycling, and it also has a great bonus for you by helping you make some money!
How To Sell Old Electronics
There are a lot of options nowadays when it comes to selling used items, thanks to the internet.
Websites like eBay and Craigslist are a great way to sell on old technology to people from across the nation. Facebook Marketplace or simply advertising on social media can get you in contact with local people who want to take your old electronics from you and will offer money for it too.
As well as selling technology online, you could have an old-fashioned garage sale to help out your local community.
Some technology or gaming shops may also take old electronics off your hands and offer cash for them. Items that are commonly in high demand for these stores include computers with a working hard drive, smartphones, and TVs with working satellite receivers.
The better quality the devices are, the higher price you can get for them.
Collection Events in Washington DC
If you are based in Washington DC and want to get rid of some old electronics, then keep your eyes out for future collection events that are taking place.
Collection events take place in public libraries such as the Dorothy I Height Library and the Chevy Chase Library and are open to both the public and local businesses. This is part of the larger ‘ECycle DC’ (all rights reserved) movement that is taking place, which means that other locations and libraries in this area may also be hosting similar events.
ECycle DC is a program that was begun by the DC Department of Energy and Environment in partnerships with DC Public Library to increase access to correct recycling of electronic devices in and around Washington.
If you take any old equipment, such as computer monitors, cell phones, laptops, and even VCRs to either the Dorothy I Height Library or the Chevy Chase Library in DC, you will be participating in responsible e waste disposal.
Once these items have been collected at the libraries, Samsung Electronics America and Wisetek, which is an electronics removal company, will recycle them responsibly.
For more information on these collection events and similar e waste procedures near you, please contact us.
What To Do Before E Waste Recycling
Our electronic products can hold a lot of information, and some of this material is likely going to be sensitive.
To keep yourself secure and protected while also getting rid of old technology that you no longer need, there are some things you should do before going to the collection center:
- Back up all information from old computers, cell phones, and other devices on a hard drive to organize later
- Delete all files from the device
- Ensure that the device has been restored to factory settings with no documents left intact
- Remove batteries from any devices before disposing
- If you choose to sell on your devices, update the software first
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