What to Do with Old Electronics
Rapid advances in technology come with a price: the equally rapid pace of obsolescence. The typical American household now owns an average of 24 electronic devices, and consumers often upgrade even when an older model is fully functional. The average life span of computers, for example, has dropped from six years in 1997 to two in 2005. Discarded electronics now account for 1 to 2 percent of the municipal solid waste stream and about 40 percent of the hazardous heavy metals (including lead, chromium, cadmium, and mercury) in U.S. landfills.
Here are some ways you can rein in this e-waste:
Buying
- Before buying replacement technology, assess your current equipment. Can you improve your computer's performance with a memory or video card upgrade? Do you need a cell phone with all the newest features when your old one works just fine?
- Choose devices with all the features you’ll need for the foreseeable future plus expansion slots for additional memory, or buy a single device that takes the place of two (e.g., a printer with integrated scanner or copier).
- Buy devices made with recycled or sustainably produced materials and fewer toxic substances, if available. EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) provides ratings for “green” electronics (see the Related Resources).
- Purchase used or refurbished devices (but be aware that these might not come with a warranty).
Reusing
- Before discarding older devices, find out whether a local repair shop, electronics training program, or technologically inclined friend could use them (or their parts).
- Consider donating used electronics directly to a nonprofit organization or school, or to an organization that refurbishes equipment for nonprofits. Computers more than five years old should be recycled, since software and technical support for older systems is difficult to find.
Recycling
- Municipal programs: Only 17.7 percent of the 3.19 million tons of e-waste generated in the United States is recycled. Many cities will take back computer and TV monitors and batteries, among other items; contact your local public works department to find out which devices they accept. (You may pay a fee for certain items.)
- Commercial recyclers: A number of companies accept electronics for refurbishment or disassembly and distribution of the usable components; see the Related Resources to find companies in your area. E-Stewards (www.e-stewards.org) has a list of recyclers that have pledged to handle electronics responsibly.
- Take-back programs: Many manufacturers and retail stores take back used cell phones, computers, TVs, and other electronics for reuse or recycling.
