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Many consumers accumulate old laptops, cellphones, fitness trackers, and other electronic devices that are no longer needed, often filling drawers or closets
with them. Finding the right places to recycle these items can seem costly and inconvenient. The global production of electronic waste, or e-waste, reaches millions of tons each year. The United Nations estimates that in 2022, approximately 137 billion pounds (62 million metric tons) of e-waste were generated worldwide, with only about 22% being recycled properly. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that less than a quarter of e-waste is recycled annually.
Preventing e-waste from ending up in landfills is crucial because these devices contain materials that can negatively impact the environment. Additionally, electronics house precious metals and rare earth elements that are difficult to source, making recycling economically beneficial for businesses.Rick Neitzel, an environmental health sciences professor at the University of Michigan, stated, “The way that we’re creating and using and disposing of these devices has generated this completely unsustainable waste stream. And there’s no signs of that abating at all. In fact, the trend continues to accelerate.”
Experts assert that increasing consumer recycling of e-waste could potentially lower the costs of some electronic devices. However, recycling e-waste presents unique challenges compared to more straightforward items like plastic bottles or cardboard boxes. While common materials can often be recycled through curbside programs, recycling electronics usually requires additional research to determine appropriate disposal methods.
Neitzel explained, “Cardboard comes in many shapes and sizes, but at the end of the day, it’s still cardboard.” In contrast, electronics can vary significantly in size and composition, from small earbuds to large refrigerators, each containing different materials. Efficiently extracting these components and materials is complex, energy-intensive, and costly.
Nevertheless, the effort is worthwhile as valuable components such as steel, aluminum, copper, gold, silver, plastics, and glass can be recovered and reused, according to John Shegerian, founder of Electronic Recyclers International. Moreover, keeping hazardous materials out of landfills is another significant incentive.
Shegerian noted, “These electronics — which could and have historically ended up in our landfills or in other inappropriate places — can leak all the stuff that’s contained there within: Mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium, arsenic. All these things are horrible if they get into our environmental ecosystem.”
Additionally, recovering precious metals from devices helps the environment by reducing the need for new mining operations.
Some consumers may hesitate to recycle their devices due to concerns about personal data stored on them. Experts recommend performing a factory reset on devices, as merely deleting files may not be sufficient. A factory reset restores the device to its original settings, thoroughly removing data. It is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as the steps for wiping an Android phone differ from those for an iPhone. The Cyber Security and Infrastructure Agency offers guidance on data protection and how to locate manufacturer instructions.
Even after a factory reset, some data traces may remain, prompting some recyclers to shred hard drives and verify destruction before recycling the remaining components.
If an electronic item is still functional and relatively new, manufacturers might refurbish and resell it. Some charities and recyclers also refresh devices for donation to those in need. Major electronics manufacturers often have buy-back programs or accept old equipment at partnering sites. For instance, Apple provides credit toward future purchases for eligible trade-ins and offers free recycling for older models.
Organizations like the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries accept certain used electronics through their donation programs, but consumers should verify what items are needed to avoid overwhelming these organizations with unsellable or improperly disposed items.
For devices that have reached the end of their life cycle, manufacturers remain a reliable option for recycling. Neitzel emphasized, “The manufacturers are where we want this stuff to end up because they know their products, they know best and most efficiently how to recycle them.”
Retailers such as Best Buy and Staples accept a variety of devices for recycling. Best Buy also offers a service to haul away larger items, such as televisions, for a fee when new models are purchased, collaborating with electronics recyclers for proper disposal.
While local governments typically do not include electronics in curbside recycling programs, many provide drop-off locations, which can be found on their websites. Neitzel mentioned, “Typically, if you’re dropping them off at a government-run electronic waste collection station, you can be confident in that.”
Recycle Nation is a useful resource for consumers looking to find recycling locations for specific items based on their zip codes. Additionally, some mail-in options are available through companies like Amazon and Waste Management, where consumers can order boxes to fill with items for return shipping.
Some recycling programs charge small fees, such as a processing fee for certain items or a fee based on weight for in-person drop-offs. Even when a device cannot be refurbished, recycling remains vital for the domestic supply chain of minerals and rare earth elements. Terence Musho, an associate professor of engineering at West Virginia University, explained that improving mineral recovery processes and boosting recycling rates can benefit consumers by potentially lowering future electronics prices.
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