Technology is improving rapidly. New advancements are increasing speeds, improving displays, and reducing sizes for devices you use every day. This results in your home electronics quickly becoming obsolete. What should you do with outdated technology? Recycle it, of course!
Recycling electronic waste is easier than you think. Plus, recycling your electronics is good for the planet. Here are the top reasons you should recycle your electronics.
Protect the environment
Computer recycling protects the environment from toxic chemicals included in various components. Heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, lead, and chromium can be damaging even in tiny quantities. Improperly disposing of your old electronics allows these chemicals to leach into the ground, water, and air.
Recover Precious Metals
Electronics contain a significant amount of precious metals like gold, platinum, and palladium. Recovering these metals from electronic waste reduces the need for additional mining and refining of these limited resources. It’s estimated that only 15 percent of gold in electronics is recovered from e-waste. Recycling more of your obsolete technology devices can help increase this number.
Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Manufacturers are rewarded for building products that are easier to upgrade or recycle through the Extended Producer Responsibility model. When you recycle your old electronics, you are encouraging the system and helping to produce fewer products overall. This helps to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the consumer electronics industry.
Prevent International Exploitation
Did you know that a large portion of e-waste is moved to third world countries if it isn’t recycled? These countries lack the infrastructure and resources to properly dispose of electronic waste. Workers breaking down the waste are often exposed to toxic chemicals because they lack training and protective gear. When you choose to recycle with reputable e-waste recycling companies, you are protecting these at-risk individuals.
There are amazing benefits to recycling your old electronics. Before you throw out your outdated technology, look for an e-waste recycler in your community.
