6 Effective Ways to Deal With Electronic Trash

The world is full of electronic goods of all shapes and sizes. From old computer monitors and desktop PCs to ancient cell phones and miscellaneous cables and peripherals. A significant amount of electronic trash ends up in landfill sites, where it lies buried under mountains of garbage. Electronic waste doesn’t rot away. Instead, it leeches dangerous chemicals like lead and mercury, which in time make their way into the ground and water supplies.

It is important that consumers and businesses make more of an effort to recycle electronic trash. Sure, it is very easy to dump your unwanted electronic goods in the nearest garbage bin, but for the sake of the environment, you should try to dispose of your items in a more environmentally friendly manner. Nearly three-quarters of electronic waste can be recycled or repurposed in some way.

Here are a few effective ways to deal with electronic trash so you can do your bit for the environment.

1. Recycling

Check whether there is a recycling centre in your local community. E-waste will be properly disposed of and any usable components recycled if appropriate.

2. Rent a Garbage Bin

Are you having a major clear out? If so, look at garbage bin rental. Instead of throwing your unwanted gadgets into the trash, one piece at a time, rent a garbage dumpster and get rid of everything in one fell swoop. Waste management companies sort through commercial waste, so anything suitable for recycling is disposed of correctly, including electronic trash.

3. Sell Your Goods

There is a thriving second-hand market for used electronics. Not everyone is desperate for brand new items. Some people prefer to use older, cheaper gadgets. Sell your electronic goods intact, or strip items down and sell the individual components separately.

4. Trade-In

Your old laptop may not be of any use to you now you have upgraded to a MacBook Pro, but it does still have some residual value. Plenty of electronics retailers will accept old gadgets as a trade-in. They may even offer you some money for your old laptop. In reality, used electronics are not worth a great deal, but retailers are happy to recycle used electronic equipment if it persuades you to pay for a new item.

5. Donate to Charity

There are plenty of charities that are happy to accept old electronic goods. Working computer equipment is sent overseas, where it is given to schools in third-world countries. Old desktop computers, printers, scanners, cell phones, etc., are always welcomed. If you have any items you want to donate, contact the charity and ask them to collect, or drop them off at a local store.

6. Donate to the Community

If you have gadgets you don’t use or need anymore, ask around to see if anyone you know could make use of it. Schools are often happy to take unwanted computer equipment for kids to use in class or take apart during IT lessons. Many charities accept old electronics which are given to needy people in marginalized communities

Bonus Tip

Always clean any personal information stored on gadgets before you recycle or dispose of them. If you don’t do this, fraudsters could retrieve information from old hard drives and use it to steal your identity.