Recycling Electronics Is One of the Best Ways to Go Green

Did you know that of all the hazardous waste in the world, 70% of it is electronics?  That doesn’t sound very environmentally friendly, does it?  There is a way to be green with your electronics that won’t cost you a dime and you can make a huge impact on the environment.  Recycle your electronics.

Recycling electronics is not as easy as recycling plastic bottles and tin cans.  You won’t see a big recycling bin that says “Cell Phones” on one side and “Laptops” on the other.  You will need to do a little research and find out where to take your dinosaur electronics when it’s time to say goodbye to them.

Cell phones are an easy recyclable.  Most cell phone stores will take your old cell phones and recycle them.  Many of the cell companies turn them into 911 only cells and give them out to the elderly and underprivileged.  They won’t be able to receive calls with them, and they can’t call their grandkids on them, but if they find themselves in need of emergency help, the cells will call 911 for them.  Recycling your old cell phones isn’t just saving the planet, but you could be saving a life.

If you don’t know where to recycle your electronics, try selling them using your newspaper classified ads or an online auction.  People will buy them even if they are broken because they use the parts.  You can even make a few dollars in the process.  When you’re buying your electronics, think about buying them used or refurbished, too.

Kids love electronic gadgets.  Pass your old electronics down to your kids if they still work.  Have you ever seen a preteen turn down a cell phone or a PDA?  It’s not likely to happen.  And the best part about giving the kids your old cell phones is that you can call them and tell them it’s time to come home.  Or, if you don’t like their friends, call them every five minutes just to bug them.

Recycling electronics may not be as easy a task as we would like it to be, but please don’t throw them away.  Electronics give off toxins when they are crushed in the landfills, which seep into the earth, which ends up in our water supplies and kills the fish.  If you can’t recycle your electronics, find another use for them or give them away.  It’s one of the best ways to go green.