Consumers should dispose of e-waste carefully. Donate usable electronics to schools or refurbishing programs. Dispose of unusable e-waste at an e-waste management facility or through mobile collection services. Some companies will take back old equipment for a fee or as part of an e-waste processing fee.
A growing number of consumers are aware that electronic waste, or e-waste, is a dangerous substance that must be disposed of carefully. E-waste includes things like computer equipment, televisions, cell phones, and other electronic equipment. Many consumers find it cheaper to buy new than to upgrade, and often find themselves getting rid of perfectly good equipment, while others are discarding truly broken or useless electronics.
If the equipment you’re trying to dispose of is still really useful, consider donating it. Electronics should be donated with care, however. A computer that is still “technically” functional may not be usable by anyone and you should dispose of it properly rather than passing it on to someone else. Electronics labs in schools are often happy to accept old equipment, but make sure it’s required first. Computers and cell phones that are still in good condition can sometimes be donated to programs that refurbish them and pass them on to people in need such as victims of domestic violence and people in third world countries. Before donating to such a program, make sure they are actually streaming working electronics, not just downloading e-waste.
If your e-waste is truly trash, there are two main options for disposing of it, depending on what it is. The most important thing to remember when dealing with e-waste is that you want to make sure it goes to a company that can handle e-waste. Don’t be afraid to ask for credentials from a company that agrees to accept e-waste, especially if the cost to dispose of it is low. Companies that volunteer to take your equipment, for example, probably won’t handle it in an environmentally friendly way.
The best way to dispose of e-waste is at your local e-waste management facility. If you live in an urban area, the Department of Sanitation can connect you with e-waste recycling information locally. If you live in a rural area, many companies have mobile services that set up a collection center in a central location one day a month. Your waste management company, or local landfill, can alert you when a collection of hazardous materials occurs in your area. This is also an opportunity to get rid of batteries, solvents, paints and other hazardous substances.
In some cases, the company that made the equipment will take it back. If your equipment is over a certain age, you’ll need to pay a fee for collection and disposal, but it’s worth it to make sure your e-waste is handled properly and usable parts are recycled into new equipment. If you paid an e-waste processing fee when you bought your equipment, as required in some areas, the company that made it is obligated to take it back and dispose of it properly.
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