Stop Holding On To Old Electronics; Donate, Sell, Or Recycle Them
How many times have you upgraded an electronic device and put the old ones in a box for safekeeping? The truth is that old electronics have a lot of value because the materials that make them are in short demand.
However, it’s also true that in a lot of cases, these devices still work perfectly fine. Most people just upgrade to get slightly better performance, and that’s a big reason why there is so much eWaste every year.
In 2021, there were 57.4 million tons of eWaste and a lot of that was unrecycled. In fact, only 17.4% will actually be recycled properly. That means over 80% of those precious raw materials will wind up in a landfill instead of being reused for new devices.
However, the number you won’t see anywhere is how many old TVs a person keeps in their Garage.
People Like to Hold On To Old Electronics For A Long Time
One of the biggest issues the industry faces are the individuals who decide to hang on to their old electronics. And we are all guilty of it.
I am willing to bet that you, or someone you know, have multiple electronic devices that will never be used and stashed away in a garage, basement, or attic. Even worse, a lot of people may actually spend money on a storage unit to store these devices.
This prevents these items from being resold in second-hand stores or entering recycling facilities where they can be broken down for raw materials.
So the real question is why do people do this?
Well, it all goes back to the fact that most of these devices still work. Remember, people often upgrade electronic devices for small performance enhancements. And since these devices still work, the owner may be able to use them again.
While we all know this almost never happens, it is always in the back of someone’s head.
Consider Donating Them Or Selling Them First
If you like to buy cutting-edge technology, there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you make sure what you are replacing gets a second life.
For example, if you buy a new TV, consider giving the old one to friends or family that could use it. Of course, it’s also worth pointing out that these devices sell for a lot even when they are used.
Considering stores are running out of products right now, buying second-hand goods has never been more popular.
This is an ideal outcome because if a user buys a used good, that means they are not buying a new one. That lowers the demand for new products, which means fewer raw materials need to be mined.
If you are not a fan of selling a product yourself, don’t worry. You can check out a local consignment store and they can sell it on your behalf for a small cut.
Where Can I Recycle Old Electronics?
One of the biggest questions is where can someone bring an old electronic to be recycled.
Most of you are probably aware that you can’t stick a TV in the recycling bin and call it a day. In fact, a lot of states and cities have laws against this, which could rack up a hefty fine.
This is a big reason why the recycling rate is very low for electronics. You need to find an establishment that will accept them.
One of the easiest places to do this is at retail stores that accept them. BestBuy and Staples are two great examples of stores where you can bring in old devices to have them recycled. Many other mail-in offers exist but are often too slow for the average consumer.
The EPA actually has a solid list, so be sure to check that out for more information.
Robert has been following and writing about environmental stories for years at GreenGeeks. He believes that highlighting environmentally friendly practices can help promote change in every household.