Smart home technology has come a long way from early microwaves and smoke detectors to the current smart home devices. From the revolutionary technology that is voice assistants to connected cars, smart homes are quickly becoming the norm. With various options available, it’s easy to see why homeowners have so many options now, such as Alexa. The first thing to understand about smart homes is that they don’t just consist of a house with smart home devices inside it. There’s so much more to it than that. They’re all about automating your day-to-day life and making your life easier by giving you more control over your home.

The Basics of Smart Home Devices

The smart home has primarily impacted our day-to-day lives in this current technological era. Whether it’s changing the way we schedule our days, or even catching you up on some news before you get home, AI assistants can help us in various ways. Smart home devices definitely have their uses, but they have their drawbacks as well.

Internet of Things (IoT) devices have been around for years, and the technology is still evolving. Devices like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, among others, have become common household objects for functions like light control. These devices can now do more than play music or read out your calendar appointments — they can do temperature control, door control, and all kinds of other tasks.

They can be integrated into your smart home and provide voice control over your appliances. With the introduction of AI assistants in our homes, we now have a new way to interact with our lives that can help us decide what we want to do while also integrating seamlessly into our daily routines.

What Materials Make Up Your Smart Home?

Smart homes are becoming more and more common in our society. This has led to a rise in demand for materials that can be used for smart homes. Materials such as wood, stainless steel, and plastic are among the most popular.

Materials such as these provide benefits like durability and ease of use, making them a popular choice for smart homes. However, they also have their downsides. For example, wood is a natural material, which means it requires maintenance to ensure that it stays looking good over time. Smart homes, by definition, also contain lots of electronics — Alexa and other IoT gadgets for various functions, including door control, are some examples.

The Benefits of Smart Home Devices

Smart home devices and materials are becoming a part of our everyday life, with people relying on automatic or wireless light control. These resources can help you improve your lifestyle by saving energy and simplifying tasks such as cooking, cleaning, temperature control, and home security.

Wireless smart light control, switches, and touch screens are perfect regulator interfaces in situations where you don’t want to break into walls for cable runs. Wireless lighting is often used for remodeling projects since it is less expensive than upgrading a wired system.

Smart home devices companies provide a new approach to bring intelligence to your home’s lighting and temperature control. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, and closets, for example, are great for regions of the house that aren’t used as often as principal rooms. They provide you the freedom to create a uniform lighting system across your home.

Smart home devices enable you to switch on or off the whole house when you leave or arrive, quickly start a playlist in every room, receive notifications when unlocked doors demand your attention, and enjoy automatic light control, so you never return home to a dark house anymore.

The Drawbacks of Smart Home Devices

Smart homes are becoming an increasingly popular trend in the market. These homes are typically equipped with smart appliances and smart technology that makes them more convenient for their owners. However, the increased popularity of this trend has also led to some negative consequences. One of these consequences is using materials to make electronic devices for light control and other smart home devices, which is the challenge of depleting limited natural resources. Other downsides such as being environmentally unfriendly and difficult to recycle are increasingly picking up speed.

When and How Do You Recycle Smart Devices?

You probably have a container filled with functional smart-home devices that have become unusable due to the manufacturers’ failure to update their firmware. You can’t stand throwing them out in a landfill, but you are unsure how to recycle them. You are not alone; smart home devices’ garbage, sometimes known as e-waste, has grown considerably more prevalent in recent years.

Contact Recycling Programs

Information technology and door control devices are the biggest and fastest-growing industries on the planet. As people become more reliant on technology, they generate enormous amounts of electronic garbage (e-waste), necessitating the development of an efficient management solution for this kind of waste. New and improved smart home devices are introduced every day, rendering older equipment unhelpful, antiquated, and obsolete. Individuals dispose of obsolete equipment without reluctance to get the most up-to-date versions of the technology, including light control.

A good first step is often checking with the company that made your smart home devices. Here are the programs some of those manufacturers offer for recycling their products at the end of their usefulness:

• Dell and HP collaborated with recycling facilities to improve the recycling of their gadgets.
• Huawei has developed a worldwide device recycling program and expanded its product trade-in service. Huawei recycled more than 4,500 tons of smart device e-waste via its dedicated recycling plants in 2020.
• You may be eligible for an Apple gift card if your iPad, iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch is in good working condition. Even if it’s broken, the Apple Trade-In program allows you to recycle it for free.
• Kindles, Alexa devices, and other Amazon-branded gadgets may be recycled for free via an Amazon-partnered third-party recycling program. Amazon also has a Trade-In program you might be eligible for.

You might also be able to find a local e-waste recycling center. If you live in the St. Louis area, you should check out CJD E-Cycling. We take a wide variety of devices at the end of their life cycle. If you have any questions about whether we can take your smart home devices, feel free to contact us.

Recycling Smart Home Devices

Some people thing smart home devices for light control or door control are a waste of resources and a potential health hazard. They contain hazardous materials that can cause harm to the environment and human health. If you have any electronics such as Alexa that you no longer use or need, it is important to recycle them instead of throwing them away.

This will help reduce the amount of electronic waste globally and save resources. Electronic waste from temperature control devices is a huge problem we’re facing today. This waste includes old cell phones, laptops, and light control devices. There are many reasons why this waste is so prevalent. One reason is that it is easy to dispose of something by throwing it away and not thinking about the consequences.

The other reason for the increased amount of electronic waste is that people are becoming more and more dependent on their devices as they use them more often for work, entertainment, and communication. We should be looking at ways to recycle electronics such as automatic light control tech instead of just throwing them away. This will reduce our carbon footprint and save resources for future generations.

The environmental impact of smart home devices is a rapidly growing concern. However, not all devices are made with the environment in mind. For instance, many of today’s homes have only one or two smart home devices because they are often costly and complicated to replace. This is where recycling comes in. It’s essential to think about how you can reduce the environmental impact of your home door control electronics while minimizing cost.

For a variety of reasons, e-waste recycling is a critical worldwide problem. It has a significant impact on our immediate surroundings as people, as well as life on Earth in general. It even offers substantial economic benefits to individuals, communities, and even countries.

Four Benefits of Recycling E-Waste

1. To protect the environment.

E-waste recycling may help keep various hazardous products out of landfills, including door control products. When fluorescent tubes and lamps are discarded in landfills, poisonous mercury may leak into rivers. However, when lighting is recycled, the mercury is collected and safely reused in items like dental amalgam. Batteries, including lead, mercury, or cadmium, are no exception.

2. Save Landfill Space

A rising amount of door control electronic garbage is dumped in landfills every year. This issue is not just common in the United States, but it is rapidly expanding over the globe. Putting e-waste in landfills causes a slew of environmental problems.

3. Save Natural Resources

Mining metals necessitates plenty of difficulties and work. Aside from mining, the cost of refining metals and converting them to valuable forms is also relatively high. The requirement to produce and refine raw metals is reduced due to the extraction and salvage of metal from outdated smart home devices, including temperature control.

Aluminum and copper wires and other components of electrical gadgets may be reused several times. Little to no material is wasted by repurposing them in other electrical gadgets. As a result, the requirement to mine, extract and produce additional metal decreases.

4. Create New Business and Employment Opportunities

The existing e-waste collection and recycling issues provide considerable potential for cutting-edge research and development and novel business models for long-term solutions. Proprietors have created micro-factories that smash e-waste and remove its valuable components. They are then warmed in a tiny furnace. Its revolutionary and portable design makes transporting it to the garbage site inexpensive and straightforward, making e-waste recycling considerably more affordable and accessible for door control systems.

E-Waste Recycling Process

Step 1: Back Up

Begin by backing up your device’s and any memory cards’ data. This usually entails uploading your images, contacts, and other personal information to the cloud or a home PC.

Step 2: Collection

Smart home devices may be collected through recycling bins, drop-off sites, take-back programs, or on-demand processing systems. After that, the mixed e-waste is sent to specialist electronics recyclers.

Step 3: Storage and Manual Sorting

Different gadgets are segregated for their processing during manual sorting. Some devices may also be physically deconstructed for components, repurposing, or the extraction of precious elements at this point.

Step 4: Mechanical Separation

The mechanical segregation of various materials comprises multiple operations that are carried out one after the other. Magnetic isolation and water separation are the two most important phases.

How to Inspire Adoption of E-Waste Recycling Practices

1. Design Better Products

Manufacturers of smart home devices, including door control machines, must create safer, more robust, salvageable, and biodegradable devices to decrease e-waste. Above all, this entails the use of less harmful materials.

2. Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended producer responsibility mandates that manufacturers be accountable for the management and disposal of their goods at the end of their useful life. The concept is to recycle waste resources and create new goods.

3. Better Recycling

India and China are exploring methods to merge the informal and official recycling systems to decrease health and environmental risks while retaining the informal recycling system that sustains many people. One method provides financial incentives to informal recyclers who transfer e-waste, including door control, to professional collection or recycling sites. They may, for example, be paid more to transport cathode-ray tube screens to a formal collecting center than they would be paid to dismantle them by hand.

4. Engage Smart Tools

Using tools that can monitor your sustainable habits can provide you with recycling statistics and track your reuse activities. Before you can utilize one of these Alexa Skills, you’ll need to know the weight in grams of each item you’re recycling. This talent will then inform you how much energy you saved and what you might do with it, such as operating a light bulb for 30 minutes or a table fan for three hours. It will also keep track of your overall recycling quantity.

The post Recycling Smart Home Devices appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

Well, the good news is that there are quite a few options for your scrap electronics: Recycling centers, e-waste services, and retailers who buy back electronics. Those are the big three.

In some states, certain electronic devices are banned from landfills because they contain harmful materials such as lead and mercury, which can harm the environment when not handled properly. In this case, it is illegal to discard these items in local waste facilities since they must be recycled instead.

Selling Scrap Electronics

In most cases, there are several places in your neighborhood where to sell scrap electronics. Selling scrap electronics is an excellent way to make some extra money, and it can be very eco-friendly. All you need to do to sell scrap electronics in the country is find someone to buy them from you.

However, before getting rid of any electronic device after looking for where to sell scrap electronics, make sure it is completely broken beyond repair and not working at all. If the product still works despite some problems, take advantage of its defects before selling it. Also, if the product has removable parts like batteries or cords, make sure they are removed prior to selling it for safety reasons.

When selling an old computer or printer, make sure to erase all personal data on its hard drive and start fresh before passing it on to someone else. Doing this will protect the privacy of people who used your product in the past as you search for where to sell scrap electronics.

Tips Before Selling Scrap Electronics

You are probably on this page because you want to know where to sell scrap electronics. So, the following are vital tips to follow when looking for where to sell scrap electronics:

1. Do Your Research

An internet search will help you find real buyers! Conduct an online search to find where to sell scrap electronics in your city. You can also visit local recyclers who offer cash for junk cars, appliances, and other gadgets recycled by their customers.

If there are no recycling centers near you offering cash for your products, then sell them online through sites that provide a platform where people can buy and sell electronic components.

But if you want to get the most out of your items, look for an organization that recycles scrap electronics like CJD E-Cycling. This is an excellent option if you have old computers, cell phones, or other gadgets lying around at home waiting for disposal.

After finding where to sell scrap electronics, you might be able to place an order with your chosen company for free and send back specific products in exchange for a certain amount of money. By using this method, you not only receive payment but also help fulfill their need for more recycled products. Keep in mind that some companies charge a small fee in addition to the purchase price they offer in return.

2. Use the Right Keywords on Your Browser

Before asking a question such as “where to sell electronics near me,” try searching online for “Buyers of old cell phones” or any other items that you’re looking to replace with a newer model. This method will show where to sell scrap electronics. Moreover, the search will highlight what companies there are and how much they pay per item.

If this didn’t work out, don’t give up hope yet! Nowadays, there are even more companies that are interested in buying other kinds of electronics. Check the internet again and see where to sell scrap electronics — new names may appear. Remember that there are no guaranteed buyers.

3. Do-It-Yourself or Through A Broker

The first option, doing everything yourself, is usually only an option if you live in a country with extensive recycling infrastructure. It also works when you know where to sell scrap electronics. The second option requires less work but comes at a price. However, that price will vary between countries. So, it is best to familiarize yourself with your local market before you go ahead and choose this route.

Some companies can buy your scrap electronics on your behalf. And they offer competitive prices as well! The only downside is the time it takes to find one of these companies so you can send them your scrap electronics.

Where to Sell Scrap Electronics

Before you decide where to sell scrap electronics, it is essential to remember that in some countries, like the U.S., more than one of these options is available. And while this list may not be exhaustive, here are four of the most popular ways of selling used electronic equipment.

1. Online Via Company Website

Online companies are increasingly offering consumers an alternative way of selling their used devices by enabling them to do so online themselves. This can be done either through an external website or directly on their site. For example, CJD E-Cycling is a company that offers electronics recycling and full-service computer services for St. Louis and the Metro East areas. This company also has business-tailored services such as tailored pickup services, data center decommissioning, and bulk data destruction.

2. Through A Local Electronic Recycling Event

Such events are where to sell scrap electronics! “Electronics Recycling Day” and other, similar events are put on by many communities throughout the year. These events aim at raising awareness about the proper recycling of old electronics throughout the country. This way, citizens have the opportunity to drop off their used computers, phones, and other devices in designated collection areas throughout various regions within the United States.

3. In Retail Stores That Specialize in Selling Refurbished Products

Refurbished stores are also where to sell scrap electronics. In this case, you can either contact these retailers directly or wait for them to hold one of their many buyback days. Because they offer an easy way for consumers to make extra money on their old devices, these buyback events are trendy among consumers who want to sell their used computers and smartphones.

4. Via Cell Phone Recycling Kiosks

If you live in the U.S., then there’s a good chance that you’re subscribed to one of the country’s major mobile service providers, like AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint. And while all three of these carriers have a buyback program for your used smartphone, they only accept certain models. This means that these stores can be where to sell scrap electronics.

Since this can be limiting, numerous companies nowadays offer kiosk-based options where customers can walk up to a machine and drop off their old smartphone in exchange for cash. While this is certainly convenient, it could end up costing you a lot in fees.

Where to Buy Scrap Electronics

Where to buy scrap electronics might be a common question among electronic junkies. Scrap electronics are growing at high rates, and most of them contain recyclable gold, silver, copper, and other components that can be reused. The market for recycling these items is at an all-time high, and there has never been a better time to invest in the scrap industry.

Scrap electronics can also be defined as old electronic devices that newer models have become obsolete. These older models can be beneficial for parts or because you may not want the latest model. This article will also discuss where to buy scrap electronics.

So, what’s next? Where to sell scrap electronics? Many places will buy old devices, but not all offer the best deal.

Tips Before Buying Scrap Electronics

1. Do Your Research

It is important to note that there will always be a place that offers more money than other buyers for any type of electronic device. Therefore, doing a little research will mean you get the most cash for your devices. You get to check out what other people are saying before selling your device or gadget at any cost.

You can start by simply searching online for where to buy scrap electronics. That way, you’ll find all sorts of offers and deals, but don’t be tempted to buy it immediately. It would help if you took some time to research the company first. Where are they located? What kind of reputation do they have? Where else can you find reviews about them? Are their prices competitive, or are they just trying to rip people off?

Where to Buy Scrap Electronics

1. Auctions Sites

There are dozens of auction sites available on the internet today, perfect for where to buy scrap electronics. If you’re looking to buy scrap electronics quickly, try browsing through these online auctions, searching for where to buy scrap electronics. See what types of products are currently available. Just be aware that prices may vary widely depending on what someone else is willing to pay for a particular piece of equipment.

One popular auction site after searching for where to buy scrap electronics is eBay. Before you visit the site, it’s a good idea to figure out what type of item you’re trying to buy so that you can use the advanced search option, and tailor it to “where to buy scrap electronics”. This makes it much easier for you to narrow your results and find exactly what you need.

As far as where to buy scrap electronics goes, one benefit of this particular auction site is the ability to add several photos of your product right on the page. Also, listing an item isn’t free; however, there are no hidden fees either. You simply pay when someone decides to purchase through eBay.

2. Business Directories Sites

Only certain websites specialize in providing information about where you can recycle old computers, televisions, and other electronic devices. This information includes where to buy scrap electronics. These business directories will list electronics stores, repair shops, and all types of businesses that buy used computers or other equipment.

As a bonus, some recycling centers you’ll find after searching for where to buy scrap electronics also sell batteries and other pieces of e-waste that standard electronics recycling services may not cover. You should take a few moments to familiarize yourself with what these companies do and don’t take as far as junked electronics go.

Another plus is that many sites suggest alternatives for where to buy scrap electronics, specific for products still in good working order. So, if you have a piece of equipment that’s worth a few bucks but doesn’t fit your company’s needs, you might want to check out these types of sites before simply throwing it away.

3. Online Marketplace

Certified sites like Craigslist and eBay offer numerous listings from people looking for where to buy scrap electronics. In the case of Craigslist, the site specifically targets individuals who will be shipping locally, so businesses may find more success with other classified ads sites like Oodle, Backpage, or Adpost.

You can also choose online marketplaces for selling items like Amazon or eBay, where dealers often list their wares. Sellers on social media websites like Facebook and LinkedIn allow users to post ads for selling items publicly. If you know the right people, you can get your hands on some great deals.

Certain websites specialize in providing information about companies that work with businesses to sell computers, smartphones, and other devices in bulk. These dealers often pay more than individual sellers might offer because they deal in massive quantities at a time.

4. Your Local Scrap Yard

This may come as a surprise, but many scrap yards will buy your junk electronics for cash. Hence, these yards are perfect when looking for where to buy scrap electronics. Now, the only downside to going down to the local yard is that they may not have a wide variety of items. Still, there is always some exciting stuff such as old computer bits and processors, which can be quickly sold on eBay for double, sometimes triple, what you were given!

5. Local Newspaper Ads

Lastly, we have local newspaper ads. These can be bought relatively cheaply, and if set up correctly, you could find yourself getting lots of electronic scrap items sent straight to your door — awesome! All you need to do is place an ad for where to buy scrap electronics in the classifieds section stating that you’re looking for new or used e-waste and then sit back and wait for the responses.

So, there you have it, folks, some of the best places to start your e-waste adventure. The internet is full of places to purchase or sell used equipment. The key is knowing which site provides the most suitable options for your business needs. Remember that recycling is not only good for the environment but also saves you money in the long run! Happy hunting!

The post Where to Sell Scrap Electronics appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

With very few individuals opting to upgrade and upcycle instead of throwing electronics, local e-waste recycling is the only option. The electronic waste within a household consists of televisions, toys, flashlights, mobile phones, VCRs, CD players, and more. They can also include printers, monitors, calculators, keyboards, lamps, and phones in the office. Unfortunately, after the end of the life of these devices, up to 80 percent of electronics end up in landfills. In this regard, it’s essential to involve local e-waste recycling to help reduce the impact on a business and within the community.

Reasons for Recycling

Recycling electronics is easy and (mostly) free to do. However, apart from freeing space in an office setup or home, you should do it for the following reasons:

1. Frees landfills

The EPA has reported that about 32 percent of all trash is kept out of landfills by recycling. The only things eventually finding their way in landfills are unrecyclable materials. With valuable materials extracted from e-waste, it’s possible to make other materials longer until it’s impossible to recycle them again.

2. Reuse of materials

A significant advantage of local e-waste recycling is reducing expenses for manufacturing new materials. By using local e-waste recycling, there is little need to extract raw materials, saving on natural resources used in the manufacturing process.

3. Creation of jobs

The process of recycling through a computer drop off near me and reusing e-waste creates a large chunk of the more than 650,000 recycling-related jobs in this country. Recycling boosts the economy, and perfect material is repurposed and used again.

4. Reduced pollution

As the landfills fill up, pollution increases. By recycling through a computer drop off near you, less material is sent to landfills, thereby lowering greenhouse gases. It helps release less methane gas into the atmosphere, meaning less pollution. Still, fewer raw materials are extracted with recycling, helping keep the environment intact, also resulting in less pollution.

5. Safer water

E-waste is a huge contributor to soil contamination. The heavy metals include lead, barium, lithium, and mercury that can seep into groundwater. It travels into streams, rivers, and lakes and can be toxic when households eventually take it for regular use. Properly dispose of electronic waste by searching “computer drop off near me” and getting in touch. It will ensure that water sources used by the general public are safe.

6. Safer ecosystem

The acidity in water kills marine life and other sea creatures. The result harms biodiversity as the ecosystems die out. In some places, the damage is extensive, and recovery is impossible. E-waste disposal through the local e-waste recycling professionals will ensure that ecosystems are protected for future generations.

7. Protect human life

Electronic waste contains dangerous materials that are toxic to human health. Improper disposal can lead to toxins getting in the brain, kidney, heart, heart, and liver. By properly dropping it at a computer drop off near me, it can be refurbished, resold, reused, and recycled. 

On the other hand, local e-waste recycling ensures that crops do not absorb heavy metals and smaller plastic components. Proper disposal ensures that recycling occurs and the farmlands produce healthy crops for generations.

8. Recycling correctly

It’s vital to do sorting correctly to avoid damaging local e-waste recycling machinery by adding items that are not recyclable. Unrecyclable materials can contaminate the recyclables, reducing their value and causing expensive delays when dangerous things find themselves in the mixtures. For local e-waste recycling, it’s vital to request the right recycling company to take it, or a computer drop off near you instead of leaving it in the trash bins. Electronics have components such as lead that should not mix with other recyclable materials and are a possible environmental hazard.

9. Convenience

A computer drop off near you is going to be much easier to access than e-waste recycling halfway across the country. All you need to do to reap all the benefits of local e-waste recycling is search “computer drop off near me” or any of the other devices you need to get rid of. You should be able to find some good options.

Process of Local E-Waste Recycling

Electronic waste contains several components: Metal, glass, and plastic. It will take several steps to recycle e-waste efficiently to recover each type of resource. Generally, processes will lead recycling equipment to eliminate hazardous waste and protect workers in a computer drop off near me. Manual labor will also be necessary, as the hand must feel some materials to sort them at the right level.

1. Manual sorting and separation

It is easier to manually sort electronic waste components by hand by removing batteries cartridges, toners, and fluorescent lights. It is easier to do it than wait for machinery, which might shred the wrong components in the process.

2. Shredding

Shredding involves reducing the size of the electronic waste into smaller pieces before another stage of sorting. They’ll further break down the materials from the computer drop off near you and make them ready for separation. Note that there may be a lot of dust in this process, and it is often disposed of properly instead of released to the environment, which may lead to pollution.

3. Magnetic removal

The separation of the components usually occurs in this stage by the e-waste recycling center and usually needs magnets to pull out all magnetic fragments from the shredded material. Steel and iron fragments are targeted in this step. The components are sold as new raw materials and used to make new electronic devices.

4. Metallic separation

Metals such as copper, aluminum, and brass separation from non-metallic materials are the next step. Manual labor is also necessary to pick out materials, such as wood and plastic, that do not belong. The metals are generally sold in their raw form to make others.

5. Water separation

The primary use of water is the separation of plastic and glass materials. If the glass is leaded, it’s sometimes sold to smelters, who use the material after heating it adequately. Plastic is further separated and sold to plastic recyclers for its usage by computer drop off near me recycling centers.

Pros and Cons of Recycling as an Individual

Now that you know how important local e-waste recycling is as well as a little bit about how it works, let’s get into the pros and cons of recycling on an individual level. Sure, it’s nice in theory, but how does it fit into your life? You might be thinking, “If there’s not a computer drop off near me, then why would I participate?” Let’s find out.

Pros of Recycling

1. Environmental benefit

The most significant advantage of local e-waste recycling is the materials do not end up in landfills. It goes a long way to take up personal responsibility on maintaining the earth by ensuring less litter is around. Fewer chemicals seep into the groundwater, ensuring less contamination. In addition, with fewer materials diverted to incinerators, the air will be fresher since it means less burning hence less air pollution.

2. Economy growth

The recycling method does not end at the garbage bins and needs a lot of processes to make a recyclable product. With the industry needing human resources, it creates jobs. In this case, recycling using a computer drop off near you offers a sense of fulfillment to an individual to know they are directly involved in creating jobs.

3. Environmental consciousness

Starting to recycle makes an individual think of ways to improve the environment. The gradual process will include making decisions for its benefit. One will gradually live green, install solar panels, and compost and grow their food. Also, individuals who recycle using their computer drop off near me are less likely to be moved with fast fashion industries, ensuring that they do not purchase items, especially clothing that will soon be at the landfills.

4. Earn money

There is usually an incentive in many local e-waste recycling places to accept a wide variety of electronics. The electronics scrap is used for recycling and upcycling if it’s in good shape. Outdated electronics or even slightly broken are purchased at an agreed amount, offering value for money. Still, it provides peace of mind as the electronics can be refurbished and put back in the community for its usage at an affordable cost than newer ones.

Cons of Recycling

1. Blindsided

Unfortunately, some unscrupulous recycling companies do not recycle but ship the materials overseas to less developed countries to get cheaper labor. With no advanced machinery to sort out the materials, the workers are exposed to harmful chemicals. Worse still is that the non-recyclable materials are not correctly disposed of and often take a toll on the environment. It can be extremely discouraging, and looking for a reputable recycling company is vital.

2. Pollution

Some recyclable items are generally not that useful after initial local e-waste recycling and landfills. Some others take a lot of energy to recycle, similar to making from scratch, and do not help in conserving energy, and the only option is buying quality products that can be reclaimed from the word go.

3. Costly

Recycling programs in some communities with tiny carbon footprints are not economical. With landfills spaces acquired cheaply, the idea of local e-waste recycling seems unaffordable. Still, some materials are costlier to repair than others. City governments often weigh in on the benefits and decide for everyone despite personal preferences.

4. Inconvenience

It’s a lot easier to just dump something in the general trash rather than figuring out where it’s supposed to go and getting it there. Of course, this is a pretty small consideration compared to the huge benefits of local e-waste recycling. The pros definitely outweigh the cons.

5. Overreliance

Recycling isn’t the only answer. It still takes energy, and not all of the materials can be completely reused. That means it’s not a perfect solution to all our waste troubles. We also need to be reducing consumption, keeping our electronics for longer instead of buying the newest gadget every six months. Local e-waste recycling is great and definitely an important component of an eco-friendly lifestyle, but it’s not a standalone solution.

Demand for Recyclable Material

The good news is that governments worldwide are keen on saving the oceans and reducing pollution in the world. The result is making laws to ensure that fewer unrecyclable materials are produced. According to market reports, with this need, there will be an increase in demand for recyclable materials. 

Households

The shift has welcomed individuals who previously discarded them like any other trash. With the U.S. having the highest per capita consumption of electronics, it offers a unique opportunity to local e-waste recycling centers to get the material instead of dealing with the whole process of making new items from scratch, especially with the hurdles the law has added.

Post consumption waste

Things like earphones, headphones, and even phones have a shorter life span. The great thing is that the materials do not need a lot of recycling processes before they are utilized again. The copper wires, platinum, gold, and other kinds of materials are quickly sorted before being sold to other manufacturing companies for reuse. Although of different qualities, plastic usually needs waste processing to get high-quality plastic to make the same electronic gadgets in a computer drop off near me center that works with a recycling company.

Steps Before Recycling

Some manufacturing companies connected with nearby computer drop off centers are notorious and make gadgets with short lifespans for the masses. The result is that the old items usually are discarded quickly, even when they are still functional. A local computer drop off near me ensures that all those slow computers are recycled. However, although recycling is necessary after the product’s end of life, looking for ways to upgrade the items before discarding them should be the first step. If the computer processors are slow, adding memory from a previously recycled computer can get it up to speed.

It’s also practical to take them to a computer drop off near you to help those desperate for the old technology. When and if the computers and other electronic waste are broken down and considered junk, should it be taken to a local e-waste recycling.

Conclusion

It’s vital to ensure that electronic waste does not end up in landfills. It will help the environment and help sustain human life to a greater extent. However, when seeking to dispose of electronics, get in touch with a certified local computer drop near you to do it properly. The usable parts will be recycled and the dangerous items adequately disposed. Please take a closer look at the local e-waste recycling laws in the state, as some are more restrictive in their regulations. It will also give a simple overview of places that need protection and how to dispose of electronics legally to avoid potential fines. 

If you have more questions, don’t be afraid to reach out. We here at CJD E-Cycling serve the St. Louis area, and we’d love to hear from you!

The post The Pros and Cons of Local E-Waste Recycling appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

Old TVs can take up a huge amount of space in your home. If they’re big and bulky, you only have so many spots where you can store them. When it comes time to upgrade, you don’t want to waste precious storage space on a defunct TV. You’ll definitely be looking for television disposal options in your area, seeking out someone who takes old TVs. Since you’re desperate to get rid of the junk, you might think there’s nobody who takes old TVs — you don’t want them, so why would anybody else?

Turns out, a lot of people take old TVs. Granted, you’ll have to find the right people, but you should have plenty of options for television disposal. There are some steps you’ll have to take to find those people. We’ll help you with the preliminary ones in this post. First, you’ll need to understand enough about the market for old TVs that you can identify people who might want your reject monitor to actually use. If your TV doesn’t work, though, you’ll have to skip that step and go straight to the more traditional television disposal methods. We’ve got important information about how to do that right (and wrong) toward the end of this post. No matter how you’re going to get rid of your old TV, you’ll need to know what kind of TV it is to accurately assess your options. We’ll help you with that in a later section. 

All that said, let’s get started. First, let’s jump into why people want to get rid of old TVs in the first place.

The Problem with CRTs

Why so many people are in search of television disposal shouldn’t be hard to figure out. You can pretty much get the gist of it just from looking at them. A CRT TV is insanely heavy — the bigger ones can weigh as much as 160 pounds. That means they also take up a lot more space in people’s homes. If you have to have a really deep table to put your TV on, that’s going to limit your decorating possibilities. That weight and heft is also going to make it harder to move things around, making them further unappealing. 

Plus, this technology is dangerous to produce and properly get rid of. That’s one of the reasons why television disposal services are specialized and you shouldn’t just leave your old TV out at the curb. That danger comes from the components of the CRTs. CRT stands for cathode ray tubes, and those are tricky to handle properly. These sorts of TVs also contain a whole lot of lead, which we know can be dangerous.

With all these problems, it might be hard to imagine finding someone who takes old TVs. Never fear. In addition to television disposal services, there are actually a lot of people who are on the hunt for a specific kind of old TV and would be more than happy to take them off your hands. You might even be able to sell your old TV for a pretty good price if you know who your market is. Let’s get into more specifics on who takes old TVs in the next section.

The Modern Demand for CRTs

So, who are all these people clamoring for the type of TV you’ve had gathering dust in your basement for the past ten years or more? Most of them are nostalgic gamers. Believe it or not, the old CRTs actually have their benefits. Some people who like to play video games from the ‘90s and ‘00s prefer the picture quality of old CRTs to modern screens. Many of them would be distraught to hear that you’re searching for television disposal options for your classic CRT.

If you can find one who takes old TVs, then they’ll be happy to explain the minutiae of why a classic game can only be properly enjoyed on the TV you were set to take to the dump. We’ll endeavor to just get you the basics here. It has to do with how the picture was constructed on these old TVs. There are horizontal lines of resolution all across the screen of a CRT. Most of them have 240 of these lines total. These are created by an electron gun shooting electrodes at the inside of the screen while a piece of metal blocks certain parts. The phosphors that aren’t blocked get lit up a pixel at a time and create the image on the screen. 

Since vintage video games were created for this type of resolution, many argue that they look and perform better on a CRT monitor instead of a modern flat screen.

How to Tell if it’s a CRT

All that demand sounds pretty good if you’re looking for someone who takes old TVs. But before you can start advertising your old monitor, you’re going to have to know if it actually is a CRT. There are some pretty easy ways to tell; they’re not exactly subtle.

First, you’re going to want to consider the general size and shape of the TV. CRTs are visually very different from flat screens because of the way they jut out in the back. If the TV is very deep with a lot going on behind the scenes, then it’s likely a CRT. 

If you’re still not sure, you can perform a little test. The screens on CRT and modern LCD TVs are pretty different, so take a gentle tap on the screen of your monitor. Was there any give to the screen? Or was the glass completely unforgiving? CRTs have that hard, unyielding glass, whereas the screens of more modern TVs have a bit of bend to them.

Another way to tell is simply by figuring out when you bought the TV. If you got it new after 2010, it’s almost assuredly not a CRT. They were mostly phased out in the mid-’00s. You can still find someone who takes old TVs that aren’t CRTs, but you’ll probably need a television disposal service. There’s not much nostalgia for LCD screens.

Who takes old TVs, CRT or otherwise?

If you can’t find a gamer who’s dying to take a CRT off your hands, or if you’ve just got a defunct flatscreen from 2011 or something, then you’re going to need to find a different kind of television disposal service.

Who you can find to take your TV is going to depend on the functionality of your old TV. An electronics recycler is someone who takes old TVs, but you might want to try other options before you get to that point. If your TV still works, there might be a charity or other organization nearby that would benefit from a TV. Think schools, libraries, or other places that might have a use for technology but not much funding for it. There’s always Goodwill, too. You can always call and ask if there’s someone who takes old TVs. Going to an organization before just junking your old television is a great way to make sure that it’s getting all the use it possibly can before you dispose of it.

When donating to an organization that needs a TV isn’t possible, then you should turn to electronics recycling. Check to see what their rules are about recycling CRTs before you load up the car — since they’re so cumbersome and potentially dangerous, electronics recycling centers will often charge a fee to recycle a CRT TV. However, there are also often recycling events that will take CRTs off your hands for free. Inquire with your local electronics recycling facility. 

What does the television disposal process look like?

When recycling CRT monitors, the television disposal process is fairly complex. Facilities have to manually take the shell of the TV off in order to expose the cathode ray tubes before they can even think about any other television disposal steps. Then, they can access the tubes, panel glass, electron gun, wiring, and electronic chip boards. They separate each of those components. Separating the different types of materials helps make the recycling process smoother. Each type of material has a different recycling process.

Inside that glass tube is a vacuum seal, which is one of the reasons a recycler who takes old TVs needs to be extra cautious. If they don’t do their job right, the tube might implode. They usually have specialized equipment take the tubes apart to avoid catastrophe. Then, potentially hazardous materials in the tubes, like phosphorus, have to be removed before they can recycle the glass.

Once the recycler who takes old TVs has gotten all that done, the different components are treated pretty much exactly like any other electronic waste. They usually get shredded. Then, all the different metals like iron, steel, aluminum, and copper can get separated out through various methods. Magnets can be an effective tool at this stage. The rest is mostly glass. If it’s leaded, it might go on to make new screens, or the recycler might send it to a smelter so the lead can be used in other applications. Batteries are a popular option. Whatever the next life of your old TV is, all the different elements are refined at another plant and then sold to a manufacturer. So, when you choose recycling, television disposal isn’t really disposal at all. It’s giving the components of your old TV a new life.

Don’t just put them out at the curb.

It’s important to keep old TVs out of landfills because they can contain some dangerous materials. We don’t want all that lead and other chemicals getting into our environment. That’s why it’s important to find someone who takes old TVs and disposes of them properly. If your idea of television disposal starts and ends with the dump, then you need to expand your options. 

Check the recycling laws where you live. Some states have more restrictive regulations than others, but lots of places have protections in place to prevent potential toxins from getting into our air and water. That means it might be illegal to put your TV out for the trash — remember all that lead in a CRT? You don’t want that getting out into the environment, whether it’s legal or not, so it’s especially important to make sure you’re disposing of the old equipment responsibly. 

We know setting a heavy, unwieldy TV out at the curb seems like the simplest option, but it’s not the best one. We’ve laid out a pretty solid case for several other forms of television disposal, and we hope you’ll at least consider them. 

Now you know who takes old TVs.

Before you started this piece, you might have thought that your old TV was just junk that nobody in their right mind would take if you paid them. Now, you know there’s a sizable second-hand market out there for CRT TVs. You’ve got the tools to identify that type of television if you come across it, and you know who to look for to take it off your hands. You might even make a little money off it if you play your cards right!

There might also be places in your community that would benefit from an extra TV, even if they’re not the latest technology. We discussed contacting schools, libraries, and similar institutions to see if they’d be interested in getting a new screen, and that’s definitely an option for television disposal that gives the device a new life. You might not get any money, but you’ll get the satisfaction of helping out.

If selling or donating your TV isn’t an option, now you also know that you can look into electronics recycling services as a form of television disposal. You’re also well aware of what happens to a TV once you drop it off at an electronics recycling center.

The bottom line is, finding someone who takes old TVs isn’t that hard when you know where to look. Now you’ve got the knowledge to go out there and get rid of your old TV in the right way.

The post “Who Takes Old TVs?” And Other Questions About TV Disposal appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

Solar power has been exploding in popularity in recent years. These days, when people think about how to dispose of electronics, solar panels need to be factored in. They’re touted for their sustainability, but to be truly earth-friendly, they need to be responsibly recycled at the end of their usefulness. That’s where solar panel recycling comes in. It’s the logical way to make sure solar panels are as sustainable as possible. 

As we continue to move toward more renewable energy sources, solar panel recycling will only become more important. Solar power hasn’t been widespread for all that long, and as such, there aren’t too many panels that have reached the end of their lives and need to be properly disposed of. But that’s a problem that will continue to grow as solar panels become more and more popular.

Here, our goal is to dive into how solar panel recycling works. We’ll get into all the steps in the process, the challenges it faces, and every other aspect of those sorts of programs. Let’s jump right in.

How do solar panels work?

Before we can describe how to dispose of electronics like solar panels when they stop working, we need to understand how they work in the first place and what happens when they break down over time. 

Ever heard of photovoltaics? It’s a scary-looking word, but we promise you’re probably more familiar with it than you think, and there’s nothing to be afraid of. Photovoltaics, or PV, is just one of the most popular solar power technologies. It’s used in most solar panels. The PV cells in a solar panel take the energy from sunshine and create electrical charges with it. An electrical field within the PV cell causes those charges to move, and that’s how electricity starts to flow. 

Those PV cells are linked together in larger units — that’s how you get whole panels out of single cells, since each cell only produces 1 or 2 watts on their own. If there’s a large power need, the panels can also be connected, and then they’re attached to the electrical grid. Solar power can be modified to suit small residential needs or large community ones because of this modular setup.

That’s a super simplified explanation of solar panel technology, but it’s a good jumping off point for everything to follow. You can’t know how to dispose of electronics without knowing how they work and what they’re made of.

Why do we have to replace solar panels?

Now that we have a baseline knowledge of PV cells and how they generate electricity, we can look into how they degrade and fail over time, leading to the necessity of solar panel recycling.

The reasons solar panels fail can mostly be chalked up to regular wear and tear. Like anything that sits outside for decades, they’re going to take something of a beating. Due to weather conditions and other factors, they can degrade as much as 3 percent every year, producing less and less electricity over time. There are other things that can cause problems, though. One of them is potential induced degradation, which happens when those different parts of the same solar power system are at different voltage potentials. That can lead to electrical current leaking, and that messes with the sodium ions in the glass.

We’re simplifying things, but that’s the gist of it. Solar panel recycling is necessary because different environmental factors mean that the panels break down over time and stop producing as much electricity. When that time comes, you’ll need to know how to dispose of electronics.

How long does a solar panel last?

Solar panel recycling is only necessary when the solar panels quit generating power, so it makes sense to start with how long they last before that recycling process is necessary. Solar panels generally last between 20 and 30 years, but that’s just a rule of thumb. You’ll need to monitor the electricity output to be sure of when your solar panels actually need replacing. It could be longer than that 30-year benchmark, especially if they’re high-quality panels. Don’t make the mistake of solar panel recycling too early and missing out on some useful years of solar power. You don’t need to know how to dispose of electronics if they’re still working, and the same thing goes for solar panels.

Like we said in the last section, environmental factors are going to be the main determinants of how long a solar panel lasts. For example, couple harsh winters with snow melting and refreezing on the frame of a panel can bend it, causing failures and degradation. 

Why is solar panel recycling important?

If you have solar panels, you’re probably already fully convinced of the importance of renewable resources, so you probably don’t have too many qualms about recycling. In fact, we’d venture a guess that you don’t need us to convince you of solar panel recycling’s importance, and you’re probably already very aware of how to dispose of electronics responsibly. Even still, solar panel recycling is going to grow exponentially in importance in the next few decades. We’d like to give you some sense of the scope of that growth.

The International Renewable Energy Agency expects “large amounts of annual waste” from defunct solar panels by the early 2030s. By 2050, the US could have as much as 10 million tonnes of solar panel waste. If the recyclable raw materials from solar panel waste worldwide in that same time period is fully utilized, it could be worth as much as $15 billion. That’s a big incentive to make solar panel recycling as accessible as possible. 

What are the steps in solar panel recycling?

Solar panel recycling is similar to any other recycling process. First, the solar panels need to be collected at the recycling center. Since solar panel recycling isn’t all that widespread yet, you might have a little difficulty finding a recycling facility, depending on where you live. Definitely check with electronics recycling companies in your area about if they take solar panels, and if not, you can ask if they know of any other centers that do. They’re experts in how to dispose of electronics, so they should be able to answer any questions you have that we miss.

After collection, the different components need to be separated out and sorted. Solar panels can be silicon based or thin-film based. Both can be recycled; they just have a slightly different makeup of materials. Solar panel recycling usually takes one of two forms: Mechanical recycling or chemical/thermal recycling.

Mechanical Recycling

This form of solar panel recycling physically separates out the different components of the solar panel. The aluminum framing can be removed, and then the rest is sometimes ground up into a composite mixture called glass cullet. Builders can utilize this material in some projects. More advanced mechanical recyclers can separate out the wiring and silicon using special machines, but on the whole, this sort of process isn’t very precise.

Chemical Recycling

Rather than separating out a solar panel’s different components mechanically, this sort of procedure uses chemical processes to sort things out. This occurs at the molecular level, so it’s definitely a lot more complex and precise than the mechanical separation process.

Refurbishing

There is one more way to make use of solar panels once they’ve exceeded their initial lifetime. For some purposes, refurbishing old, suboptimal solar panels makes a lot of sense. That way, you never even have to worry about how to dispose of electronics, you just reuse them. The problem, though, is that they aren’t going to generate enough power for heavy use. If you just need a solar panel to power a road sign or something simple like that, though, refurbishing instead of recycling might be the way to go.

Where can I go to recycle solar panels?

In the U.S. today, most solar panel recycling happens at general glass recycling centers. However, this isn’t the ideal place to recycle your solar panels. This is because they’re specifically glass recyclers, and solar panels contain a lot of other materials. They’ll sometimes also recycle the metal frames, but they mostly discard any components that aren’t glass. That’s a shame because there are lots of other recyclable elements to solar panels — plastic and aluminum components can definitely be utilized again. Sometimes, solar panels are considered hazardous waste and have to be disposed of that way. These aren’t great options.

The good news is that there are growing opportunities to make sure no parts of any solar panels get dumped in a landfill. The only hard part is finding them. You can start by reaching out to the company that initially made your solar panels. Lots of them have recycling programs in place for their products, and even if they don’t, they might be able to point you in the right direction.

You can also check with electronics recyclers in your area. They already know how to dispose of electronics in an environmentally friendly way, so they might also be able to recycle your solar panels. 

What difficulties are there in the solar panel recycling process?

One is simple accessibility. If there’s not a place equipped for solar panel recycling in your area, then you’re not going to be able to take advantage of those programs. A compounding factor here is that not all electronics recycling companies will accept solar panels. They know how to dispose of electronics like TVs and microwaves, but they’re not equipped to handle solar panels. The lack of readily available solar panel recyclers is definitely one of the top difficulties in the process.

Then there’s the issue of publicity. How many people are aware that solar panels can and should be recycled? Probably a lot less than those who know to look for a recycling can for their soda cans and water bottles. As our current solar power infrastructure ages, it’ll be important to educate everyone on the benefits of solar panel recycling.

The other difficulties aren’t as obvious. Recall that solar panels are made up of a lot of different components. You’ve got glass, plastic, and metal, which are all easily recyclable on their own, but the hard part is separating out those materials. Having the capabilities to recycle each element in its own way is not attainable for many recyclers, even if they’re aware of how to dispose of electronics. 

Another hurdle to keep in mind is the silicon solar cells within solar panels. They’re not recyclable in the same way that the glass or metal is. To reuse the silicon and metals within them, a specialty company needs to melt them down and harvest the individual materials. That’s not something most recyclers are equipped to do. 

Knowing how to dispose of electronics needs to include solar panel recycling.

Solar power is more than just an excellent Lorde album. It’s one of the growing sources of sustainable energy in the world today. As such, solar panel recycling is going to become a big concern in the coming years. 

As our current solar power infrastructure ages and new technology is developed, it’ll be increasingly important to know how to dispose of electronics like these in an environmentally 

conscious way. It’s not enough just to focus on recycling electronics like computers and TVs — bigger, newer, more complex items need to be properly disposed of, too. That includes solar panels.

There are various ways of accomplishing this important task. We detailed the different methods of how to dispose of electronics like these: Mechanical, chemical, and refurbishing. We also went over how to find a place that offers these services in your area, and we talked briefly about the kinds of problems they face when working out how to reuse your defunct solar panels. 

This is a rapidly growing industry that’s going to need real solutions in the near future. Hopefully, now you’re confident you know how to dispose of electronics like solar panels when the time comes.

The post Solar Panel Recycling 101 appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

At this point, we probably shouldn’t have to tell you that we’re big fans of recycling. We’ve been so enthusiastic about the benefits of recycling e-waste that you’re probably well aware of most of the big ones by now. Plus, recycling is kind of a general no-brainer these days. Most of us have heard plenty about the benefits of reducing the amount of waste we generate, and many people have been conscientious recyclers for years, if not decades.

All the same, we’ve put together even more reasons why you should be just as excited about computer scrap e-waste recycling as we are. In fact, we rounded up seven top benefits of recycling e-waste to persuade you that it’s the right way to go.

The following points are all the reasons why we think you should gather up all the electronic junk gathering dust in your life and drop it off at your nearest electronics recycling center. The benefits of recycling e-waste are wide-ranging and far-reaching, covering both local perks and worldwide pluses. Hopefully you can find at least one that will motivate you to recycle your electronic waste.

1. Help the environment.

We’ve already spoken at length about the environmental benefits of recycling e-waste, and for good reason. This is the top motivator for recycling e-waste for a lot of people and organizations. When you look at how damaging the alternative can be to the environment, it’s easy to see why. We’ll keep this section fairly brief for your sake, but let’s dive into a few specifics.

Reuse resources.

Many of the components used to make electronics have to be mined. That’s not a very environmentally friendly process on its own. Now, add to it the fact that these are finite resources, and the necessity of computer scrap e-waste recycling becomes quite clear. There will come a point where there simply isn’t any tin or copper left to mine. Recycled electronics are a great way to get these resources — for example, you can recover as much as 35,274 pounds of copper from every million smart phones recycled.

Reusing these resources not only preserves the existing ones still left to mine, but it also uses less energy. It’s far more efficient to repurpose those existing materials instead of extracting new ones.

Plus, not all resources recovered from dead electronics are used to create new ones. They can find new life in other types of products. For example, the plastic from smart phones can be used to make new lawn furniture. The metal can also be transfused into car parts. 

Some resources are more prevalent in electronics than others, and the market’s needs are always changing, but it’s definitely safe to say that reusing materials from existing electronics is definitely one of the major environmental benefits of recycling e-waste. 

Reduce pollution.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that if you’re not partaking in computer scrap e-waste recycling, you’re letting it sit in a landfill for virtually forever. What might be more surprising, however, is how many toxic chemicals a lot of e-waste contains. Lead is very common in electronics — CRT monitors, for example, can have literal pounds of it. You don’t want any of those types of harmful substances getting into our air or water supply. Keeping electronics out of landfills is one key way to do just that.

It’s also important to point out that to have the best environmental benefits of recycling e-waste, you need to donate your items to a reputable center. Some computer scrap e-waste recycling centers will ship your items overseas where they’re not disposed of properly. To get at the valuable metals within the components, they’ll sometimes burn up the plastic, which releases really harmful toxins into the atmosphere. There are also human costs to these kinds of unethical practices. Many overseas electronics recycling centers have their workers disassemble the devices by hand, and those workers sometimes include children. 

This all means that it’s important to do you due diligence for a lot of reasons, both ethical and environmental. If you’re really motivated by reducing pollution, you can definitely find a recycling center that gets the job done the right way.

2. Declutter your home.

If you’re in need of more self-centered benefits of recycling e-waste, we’ve got a great one for you. Most of us have some kind of drawer or cabinet or disorganized pile of old electronics. It’s ugly, it’s annoying, and it takes up valuable space. One of the big benefits of recycling e-waste is that it gets all those annoying cords and screens out of your way, freeing up space for different junk. 

Sure, this isn’t one of the benefits of e-waste recycling that’s going to change the world. Cleaning up and organizing your space isn’t something that’s revolutionary, but it’s a definite plus for many people seeking out computer scrap e-waste recycling. Especially for those who live in small spaces, having extra, unusable items around your home is nothing but a nuisance. If you can’t use your electronics anymore, the best place for them is an e-recycling center. Computer scrap e-waste recycling is a great way to reclaim your junk drawer.

3. Help those in need.

These sorts of programs aren’t computer scrap e-waste recycling in the most traditional sense. However, they’re still valuable ways to give old electronics a new life. Some e-waste recycling centers will try to refurbish or repair the devices they receive before scrapping them entirely, and if the electronics can be salvaged, they’ll donate them to classrooms or other programs that are in desperate need of electronic devices.

The “digital divide” is growing more and more steep. Especially with the recent need for online schooling, students need more access to these types of devices than ever before. Plus, many jobs require digital-based skills of some sort. It’s vital to get electronics in the hands of people who need them most.

Since these opportunities are less obvious forms of computer scrap e-waste recycling, this might be one of the least-known benefits of recycling e-waste. Now you know, and hopefully, you’ll use this knowledge to pay it forward.

4. Comply with the law.

Okay, so this one is less of a benefit and more of a requirement. But it still stands — one of the biggest benefits of recycling e-waste is that you’ll stay on the right side of the law in many places. 

The specific requirements when it comes to computer scrap e-waste recycling and other forms of e-cycling vary from state to state. However, there’s a good chance that some form of electronic recycling is mandated where you live. Many states have banned certain electrical components from trash cans, requiring that they be properly recycled instead. Some specifically restrict the ways businesses and other large organizations dispose of their electronic waste. This is largely due to all the other benefits of recycling e-waste on this list, especially the environmental concerns. Governments that recognize how harmful electronic waste can be in landfills have taken measures to keep them out.

Check with your local or state government to be sure of the laws in your neck of the woods, and make sure to recycle your e-waste according to those guidelines. 

5. Earn a little extra cash.

Some e-recycling centers will offer you money for specific kinds of e-waste. Others will charge you to haul away certain difficult items, like CRT TVs. And you might not earn anything at all, other than the other benefits of recycling e-waste that we’ve outlined here. 

Nonetheless, you might get lucky and discover a recycling center that will pay you for computer scrap e-waste recycling. You won’t make a lot, but if you can pile up a bunch of electronic junk, you might make enough to make it worth your while. There are a lot of valuable materials tangled up in those computer elements, and some facilities will pay for them. Manufacturers often use copper, gold, and other valuable metals to make computers and other electronics. So, check to see if any compensation is available at your e-recycling center of choice.

6. Lower the cost of goods.

This is one of the benefits of recycling e-waste that goes along with a lot of the other ones we’ve listed here. Because recycling reduces the need for mining new materials, that lowers the cost of goods. Using recycled materials is cheaper than mining them in a lot of cases. Increasing computer scrap e-waste recycling in large quantities would help this come to pass at an even faster rate. You’re not going to have too much of an impact on the worldwide market on your own. However, if we all commit to computer scrap e-waste recycling and recycling as many of our outdated gadgets as we can, then we’re going to have a huge, positive effect on making electronics more affordable.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that these savings would be passed onto the consumer, but that’s a different can of worms. It stands that computer scrap e-waste recycling makes it cheaper to produce electronics, and that can only be a benefit of recycling e-waste.

7. Keep your data safe.

You probably aren’t thinking about all the personal data stored on your old computers that you don’t use anymore, but you probably should be. It’s important to destroy detay properly for security reasons. Reputable e-waste recycling centers will best know how to do that. It’s one of the lesser-known benefits of recycling e-waste. Not only will you be getting rid of a device that you no longer need, but you’ll also be ensuring the security of your personal data. 

Computer scrap e-waste recycling can scrub your data from the device in a variety of ways, some more effective than others. Don’t think that simply deleting your data is enough — it’s still there, even if you can’t easily access it. A factory reset might be all you need to do, but there are more thorough ways of permanently getting rid of your data. This is especially important in the business world. You don’t want proprietary company secrets getting into the hands of a bad actor.

As such, you need to make sure the facility is going to properly get rid of all your data, and you should do what you can before dropping your computer off for recycling. If you’re interested in all the different ways an e-waste recycling center can destroy your data for good, you can read our previous blog post about it here.

Cash in on the benefits of recycling e-waste.

Now you know how much you and the world can benefit from computer scrap e-waste recycling. Some benefits are personal to you, like getting rid of extra clutter around your house or earning a little extra cash on the side. You’ll also be ensuring that none of your private data falls into the wrong hands. 

Other benefits of recycling e-waste are more global in scope. By responsibly disposing of your unwanted electronics, you won’t contribute to more mining of the materials made to create them, which can, in turn, make those new electronics cheaper to build. What’s more, you’ll be keeping harmful chemicals out of landfills. Some programs will even refurbish and donate your old devices, meaning they can serve someone less fortunate if they’re no longer serving you.

Obviously, we’re big computer scrap e-waste recycling advocates. But you should also do what you can to keep your computers for as long as possible. If you take good care of it and make sure it’s got all the features you need when you buy it, it should last a good, long time. And this goes for other devices, too. Charge your phone according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, and do what you can to resist the temptation of buying a new phone every year. That way, you’ll reduce the materials required to make electronics.

Whatever way you choose to extend the life of your computer or phone or any other electronic you’ve got laying around, now you know exactly what’s in it for you. Happy recycling!

The post The Top 7 Benefits of Recycling E-Waste appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

So, here’s the dilemma. You’ve got a huge pile of old electronics gathering dust in the basement. You’ve got all kinds of computer parts, TVs, cell phones, and who knows what else. It’s all accumulated over the years, and before you knew it, you had a huge pile of electronic junk to get rid of. What do you do? Up to this point, you’ve just been trying to ignore it, which hasn’t been working out so well. One of your best options is to take all your gadgets to electrical scrap buyers to get cash for electronic scrap. 

You can take many broken or otherwise unwanted electronics to e-cycling centers, but did you know that some electrical scrap buyers will give you cash for electronic scrap? Of course, the things they’ll pay top dollar for are not your run-of-the-mill CRT monitor or an outdated cell phone. Electrical scrap buyers are looking for value. What kinds of electronics are best donated and what kinds you can sell will differ between electrical scrap buyers, so you should always check with the facility first. Most should have lists of what they accept and pricing tables for how they pay readily available.

Here, we’ve compiled a general list of what the best things to bring to electrical scrap buyers tends to be. But first, let’s define some terms. 

Ferrous or Non-Ferrous Metals?

When you’re looking at the websites of electrical scrap buyers to try to figure out what kind of cash for electronic scrap you can get, you might see this distinction. They will usually offer a different price for ferrous metals than they will for non-ferrous scrap. How do you know if what you’ve got is ferrous? What does that even mean?

Don’t get confused. Basically, ferrous means the metal has iron in it (“ferrous” is derived from the Latin word for iron). It’s that simple. Some common examples of ferrous metals are alloy steel, carbon steel, and wrought iron. You might not find too many of these in your electronics, so you will probably be looking at non-ferrous metals. Some common examples there would be aluminum, copper, and lead. 

The easy way to test to see if you have ferrous or non-ferrous metal to bring to electrical scrap buyers is to see if it’s magnetic. That’s why non-ferrous metals are more often used in electronics. Since they’re not magnetic, they’re better suited to that kind of application. They’re also less prone to rust than their ferrous counterparts, so you’ll also see them more often in things like gutters and outdoor signs.

Best Metals to Take to Electrical Scrap Buyers

Copper is definitely one of the most lucrative that you’re going to find in electronic scrap. There are several different grades of scrap copper, each fetching a different price. The kind you’re most likely to find in electronics is copper wiring, and you will probably come across some wiring with insulation. 

Whether you take this insulation off or not will affect how much cash for electronic scrap you get. With little spaghetti wires, it’s often not worth the effort to strip the insulation off; the difference in price isn’t enough to justify all that work. On the other hand, it can definitely be a good idea to strip larger wires of their insulation. It’s easier to do, and you’ll get more copper out of it. Many electrical scrap buyers will still take insulated copper wire and strip the insulation off themselves, they’ll just pay you less for it. Definitely ask your chosen electrical scrap buyers about it if you have any concerns.

While copper is one of the metals that will get you the most cash for electronic scrap, there are others that are worth your time, too. You might find steel in the shells of your appliances, and in certain electronic components, you’ll find precious metals like gold and silver. It won’t be very much of it, but when you add up all your electronic scrap, you might end up with a pretty decent payout.

Things to Bring to Electrical Scrap Buyers

Alright, we’ve got the most important vocabulary words and overarching concepts out of the way. Now we can get a little more detailed about what will get you the most cash for electronic scrap. Of course, there are other types of metal that you can scrap to rake in the big bucks, but we’ll focus here just on electrical scrap buyers. We’ll take you through how to get the most cash for electronic scrap — that includes which types of scrap tend to bring in the biggest bucks and which waste is better to just donate. Here are some of the most common items people want to take into those electrical scrap buyers:

Appliances

Ranging from big-ticket items like washing machines to smaller items like microwaves, selling appliances can be one of the best ways to get cash for electronic scrap. Getting rid of large appliances like refrigerators or ovens can be a hassle. However, if you sell them to electrical scrap buyers, at least you can recoup some of the money you spent on them. If you’ve got appliances with copper tubing, you’re in for an even bigger payday. 

As with most items on this list, you’re probably going to get more money for your appliances if you take them apart and separate them into their different components before you sell them to electrical scrap buyers. This is especially true for relatively small and easy appliances like microwaves. You can snip off the cord, take off the shell, and separate all of the different pieces into piles based on what type of metal they contain. It’s a little extra work, but it can often make the process of selling to electrical scrap buyers that much easier and more lucrative.

Ceiling Fan Motors

If you’re upgrading your living room to beat the heat this summer, what better way to get rid of your old ceiling fan than selling it for a little extra cash? Granted, you’re not going to get very much from an old ceiling fan motor on its own, but adding it to the pile with all the other items we’re listing will give you a little extra bump. 

Remove the blades of the fan before taking it to any electrical scrap buyers, and then see what they’ll give you for the motor. There might be a copper coil inside of it, and that might be worth a little something. Always be on the lookout for where copper might be hiding to get the most cash for electronic scrap.

TVs

TVs are a little bit tricky. Some of them might be good ways to get cash for electronic scrap, but others are not good candidates. If you’ve got a CRT TV, you might have to pay to get it taken away. This is because of the cathode ray tubes within those old types of televisions. They can explode if not handled properly, so many electrical scrap buyers don’t want to touch them. 

They do, however, sometimes take some of the components from CRT monitors. For example, copper yokes from these types of TVs can be good elements to sell. Since copper is so valuable, any source of it might be a good way to get cash for electronic scrap. 

It all depends on how much effort you’re willing to put into taking your electronic scrap apart. Some people are quite comfortable with using their tools and breaking everything up while others aren’t. If you value convenience over getting the most cash for electronic scrap, you’re probably going to want to donate rather than sell in most cases.

Power Outlets

We’re not suggesting you rip all the outlets out of your walls to make a little extra cash. That would be pretty ridiculous and way more trouble than it’s worth. However, there are sometimes power outlets in desks and TV stands that you’re trying to get rid of. If you’d rather donate them than sell them, you won’t be losing out on much. But if you’re trying to get a big pile of electronic scrap together to sell, it doesn’t hurt to throw these in. You can also cut off the wires to separate them out if that’s something you’re comfortable with. Any effort you’re willing to put in will likely get you more cash for electronic scrap.

Backup Batteries

These devices are safeguards for when the power goes out while you’re working on an important document on your computer. Instead of losing all your hard work that you hadn’t yet saved, they’ll allow you to shut everything down properly. These types of batteries are pretty heavy, which translates into a pretty decent payout if you take them to electrical scrap buyers. Just be sure to check that they take these types of items before you bring them in, which goes for every item on this list.

Laptops

What you have to watch out for here is the batteries. Often, electrical scrap buyers will want you to take out the laptop’s battery before they’ll buy it. You’ll have to find another way to get rid of the battery, but you can still get a good price for the rest of the laptop. They can contain a lot of valuable parts, like those precious metals we mentioned earlier.

Motherboards are the biggest circuit boards in computers, and they often contain the most gold. You’ll find the shiny stuff in their contacts and connectors, and there’s a thin layer of it on their surfaces. There’s also gold in their central processors and memory chips. If you can round up a lot of discarded laptops, you can get a lot of cash for electronic scrap.

Mini-Transformers

You’ll find these on cell phones, cameras, and electronic chargers. If you’re looking for these, you’re looking for a small black box. These are good devices to sell because they contain a small copper transformer. Once you get that out of there, you can scrap it. Of course, one or two of them are not going to be worth very much and are probably not worth it, but if you can get your hands on a fair amount of them, they can definitely be worthwhile.

Desktop Towers

Scrapping an entire computer can be a fairly involved process if you want to take it apart. You can often get more money for it when you’re selling the individual pieces, but electrical scrap buyers will sometimes take the whole tower, too. Selling desktop towers can be one of the more lucrative ways to get cash for electronic scrap, especially if you take them apart. However, like most items on this list, you’ll want to check with electrical scrap buyers before bringing in your desktop towers. Some buyers might not take them.

Contact Electrical Scrap Buyers

There you have it. We’ve given you a good list of where to start trying to get cash for electronic scrap. Round up all the unwanted electronics in your house, and go from there. That includes obvious items like big appliances, but it also includes smaller devices you might not think of, like ceiling fan motors. 

The biggest tip is to take apart your electrical scrap and sort it into its components. You’ll likely get more money for it that way. Taking off insulation, sorting out different types of metals, and discarding any non-metal elements are all good places to start. However, if you don’t want to do all that, there are options for you, too. For those of us who just want to get rid of the dusty old electronic devices taking up space in the basement, there are often programs where you can donate your junk instead of selling it. That way, you can be free of it without having to put in any extra work. There are also some electrical scrap buyers who will give you money for whole devices, but you should definitely check with them before bringing anything in.

With all of these ideas in mind, you should be ready to pile up some old electronics and get out there.

The post What to Bring to Electrical Scrap Buyers appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

You’ve probably heard plenty about how beneficial an e-recycling center can be for the environment — if you haven’t, these centers keep harmful chemicals out of landfills and help reduce the need for mining of finite resources, among other benefits. Amidst all the hard pitching you see for e-cycling, you might wonder exactly how that process actually goes down. Here, we’ll pull back the curtain on electronic recycling in St. Louis and detail the process for you.

The E-Recycling Process

As you’ve probably guessed by now, an e-recycling center is a lot more complicated than your run-of-the-mill paper and plastic reprocessing plant. Electronics like cell phones and computers are made up of a lot of different materials, so they can’t be easily sorted like your old newspapers and water bottles. The process at an e-recycling center varies accordingly, meaning electronic recycling in St. Louis is a complex and diverse endeavor. 

Collection

The first step at any e-recycling center, though, is to collect the items that are to be recycled. That can include transporting items from wherever they are to the e-recycling center or holding special drives to encourage the public to come out and get rid of their old devices. Often offsite, the items from these drives then need to be taken to the e-recycling center for processing. That’s when the real work can begin.

Many e-recycling centers will check to see if the devices that have been donated are still functional, or if they could be easily refurbished and resold before they resort to breaking them into their parts and recycling the raw materials. The refurbished tech is also sometimes donated to schools and charities, so it’s always a good idea to check if your gadgets can be fixed up before giving them up to be broken into their parts.

Shredding

When your devices have become pesky burdens instead of helpful servants (that is, they’re no longer functional) and the e-recycling center can’t salvage them, they generally get shredded. Once granddad’s boombox is nothing more than little bits of plastic and metal, those pieces get separated, sorted, and sold to be used in new gadgets.

However, the electronics recycling process doesn’t always happen this way — some sorts of technology, like rechargeable batteries, might explode in the shredder, so it’s generally prudent to remove them from that process. Another example of non-shreddable junk would be CRT monitors (think the fat TV your parents had before the flatscreen), which typically get taken apart manually because they contain so much lead — up to eight pounds of the stuff.

Sorting

All of the materials have to be sorted after the e-recycling center has broken them down. This process often begins with a high-powered magnet. It’s deployed to separate out all the iron and steel to then be sold as recycled steel. Then, aluminum, copper, and circuit boards are separated out from the remaining materials. That leaves mostly plastic. A special process utilizing water separates out any glass that remains in with the plastic, and then if any metal remnants are still mixed in, those are taken out as well.

CRT Process

We mentioned CRT monitors before, and if you’re curious about how recycling those devices differs from other types of electronics, we’ll clarify a little.

Special Considerations

CRT stands for Cathode Ray Tubes, and those tubes are the main issue here. That means that recyclers have to first take the shell of the monitor off to get at those tubes. They do that step manually. Once the shell is gone, internal elements like the panel glass, glass tube, electronic chip boards, electron gun, and wiring are exposed. Those are separated out and sorted together so that each different type of material can be recycled according to the process that best fits its specific properties. 

The glass tube is one of the main elements, and inside of it is a vacuum seal. That makes it prone to imploding if improperly handled, so companies that do electronic recycling in St. Louis use specialized equipment to safely take the glass tubes apart. One of the other potentially hazardous elements inside the glass tubes is phosphorus, which has to be removed before the glass can be recycled.

As soon as all the different elements of a CRT monitor are separated and prepared properly, they can be shredded like other electronic waste. Magnets remove the iron and steel bits, and aluminum and copper are separated out as well. That leaves glass — leaded and unleaded. It has to be cleaned of any oxides, phosphorus, or dust, and then it’s ready to be sorted between those two types.

Leaded glass can be used to make new screens, but it might also be sent to smelters for other products, like batteries. Most of the different elements that are broken down and extracted can be sold to another plant to be further refined and then sold to a plant that produces new materials.

E-recycling centers can encapsulate this whole process, from sorting to shipping out the raw materials.

What happens to the raw materials?

So, the e-waste has been picked up and dropped off at an e-recycling center, it’s been broken down properly and sorted into all its different components, now what? Electronic recycling in St. Louis or anywhere is a multi-step process that involves different centers and plants completing different vital elements of recycling and reusing the raw materials.

Often, the raw materials that make up electronic devices, like metals, are sold to be used again in another gadget. Those elements are very valuable. Obviously, the harmful heavy metals in some devices are disposed of properly, sometimes at specialized facilities. The plastics left over get reused in new products as well.

The materials often need extra refinement to get them to a point where they can be reused in new products, and that process typically happens at specialized facilities, not the e-recycling centers themselves.

What challenges do e-recycling centers face?

These processes might sound straightforward, but there are still quite a few issues for organizations attempting electronic recycling in St. Louis or anywhere else. There are many steps to electronic recycling, and problems can arise at any of them.

The first challenges come with the first step of the process, which, as we discussed earlier, is the collection and transportation phase. Making sure potential donors know where to take their old electronics, where electronic recycling in St. Louis is offered, what to bring, and what to leave at home is the first hurdle e-recycling centers have to clear. If no one drops off any dead devices, nothing can be recycled.

Not only are there issues with customers not knowing how to recycle their devices, but there are also issues with the ways the devices are being made. They are becoming smaller, and therefore yielding less precious metal and becoming less valuable to recyclers. 

What’s more, they’re being made in ways that are harder to recycle, as well. Repairing devices like smartphones is discouraged based on their design, and that adds to the abundance of e-waste in landfills. Therefore, it’s extra important to make sure you take part in electronic recycling in St. Louis.

E-Recycling Requirements

Now that you’re more knowledgeable about what goes on behind the scenes at an e-recycling center, you’re probably wondering where you can find one. Electronic recycling in St. Louis is not particularly hard to come by, so that’s a good place to start if you live in the area. 

Missouri

Missouri law does not require most electronics to be recycled, but the department of Natural Resources strongly encourages it. There are plenty of opportunities for electronic recycling in St. Louis and across the state to comply with this recommendation. 

It’s important to note, though, that Missouri law does require certain hazardous wastes that are sometimes found in electronics to be disposed of properly and not just left out for trash pickup, and it also requires businesses, schools, and certain other institutions to keep certain unwanted electronics out of landfills. You’ll probably want to check the laws yourself to make sure you’re in the clear, but either way, finding a good resource for electronic recycling in St. Louis is one way to make sure you’re compliant with the law.

Items that do require electronic recycling in St. Louis and the rest of the state are electronics that contain heavy metals. Some examples there would be computer monitors, televisions, and circuit boards. If you have some of these to get rid of, an e-recycling center is definitely the way to go.

Illinois

On the other side of the Mississippi, however, the laws are a bit stricter. The state of Illinois requires that the following types of items all be recycled:

• Computers and small-scale servers
• Computer monitors
• Electronic keyboards and mice
• Printers, fax machines, and scanners
• Televisions
• DVD players, DVD recorders, and VCRs
• Digital converter boxes, cable receivers, and satellite receivers
• Portable digital music players and video game consoles

Again, you’ll want to double check the Illinois requirements and guidelines for yourself before deciding on a course of action, but electronic recycling in St. Louis could be the perfect solution if you have to get rid of some old devices. 

The Benefits of Local E-Recycling Centers

You might be aware of e-recycling opportunities where you ship your old items overseas. This may sound like an appealing prospect, but lots of those e-recycling centers aren’t ethically operated. In some developing countries, workers (sometimes children) take the e-waste apart by hand. They’re often not governed by the same environmental protections as e-recycling centers in more developed countries are, leading to pollution. They often burn the devices to access the components they can resell, and that can release harmful chemicals into the air. 

Electronic recycling in St. Louis, however, can be a process devoid of these unethical and environmentally unfriendly practices. It’s best to try to stay local when you’re looking for an e-recycling center so you know exactly where your devices are being broken down. The different centers you’re considering should be happy to answer any questions you have about their process.

In Review

So, let’s sum this all up. Electronic recycling in St. Louis is an important process because it helps to keep our environment healthy by keeping harmful materials out of landfills. When you find somewhere to drop your unwanted electronic devices, they take many steps to turn your trash into raw materials that can be used in shiny new gadgets. 

This process differs depending on what type of device you’ve dropped off. Most common devices, like smartphones, can be shredded pretty immediately. However, bigger, more toxic items, like CRT monitors, have to undergo a specialized process. They are taken apart manually first to get rid of any potentially dangerous materials before they hit the shredder. 

Different mechanisms, including high-powered magnets and water power, are used to separate the bits and pieces of the e-waste into the different raw materials that comprise them. Those raw materials, such as glass, copper, and steel, are then grouped together and sold to other facilities that can further refine them. Once they’re fully refined, they can be used in new products.

The e-recycling process isn’t always smooth sailing, though. Challenges can arise at every phase. The shrinking size of electronics makes them harder and less beneficial to recycle, as they contain fewer valuable materials the smaller they get. And of course, many people are unaware of how vital electronics recycling is. They might not be aware of the different rules and regulations about the safe and environmentally friendly disposal of old electronics, or they might just not know where e-recycling is offered. 

Recycle your electronics today.

Electronic recycling in St. Louis is imperative to keeping our environment as healthy as possible, and it doubles as an ethical way to declutter. Leaving decades of gadgets that have seen better days to collect dust in your basement isn’t doing anyone any favors. So, with spring cleaning season upon us, find your nearest e-recycling center and get rid of your derelict devices as soon as possible — that way, they can live another life, and you can get your basement back.

The post How an E-Recycling Center Works appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

There are many electronic devices in homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and just about everywhere. Knowing what to do with dead batteries is an essential part of proper maintenance. Depending on the type of battery and what it is used for, there’s an ideal method for disposing of it.

For example, the batteries that power your TV remote control are disposed of differently than the rechargeable ones that charge your digital camera or laptop. Not only is it hazardous to throw them away in the garbage, but it may also be illegal in some places.

Read on to learn more about different types of batteries and the best ways to dispose of them.

Why Batteries Need Careful Disposal

Some batteries are made from different types of chemicals including lead, mercury, cadmium, lithium, zinc, nickel, and silver. The reason why it matters in which manner they are disposed of is that the battery casings can corrode in landfills.

The reactive acids and toxic materials they’re made of can penetrate the soil and reach our water supply. This event can have a devastating impact on our ecosystem, polluting the soil, wildlife, and humans. Cadmium, for instance, damages soil microorganisms that are essential for breaking down organic matter properly.

There are major dangers that can be caused if proper battery disposal is ignored.

For example, if lithium-ion batteries are crushed, they can spark and create deadly fires. They are found mostly in cars and portable electronics. These types of batteries should not be disposed of with paper, cans, or bottles.

The Huffington Post interviewed Jackie Carr, the operations coordinator at The Nature Conservancy of New York. She told them that people have lots of questions about batteries.” It is great to see more interest in this topic because we’re continuing to make improvements with the conservancy of our environment.

Single-Use Batteries

Some of the most popular types of batteries are single-use batteries of various shapes and sizes. They are also called alkaline or primary cell batteries and are non-rechargeable, lasting for a short life span. You’ll find them in items like TV remote controls, flashlights, smoke detectors, wall clocks, and children’s toys. Typical sizes include sizes such as AAA, AA, D-Cell, and 9V.

Some common types of single-use batteries include:

• Mercury cells
• Silver-Oxide cells
• Alkaline cells
• Zinc-carbon cells
• Lithium cells

How to Dispose of Single-Use Batteries

New manufacturing processes are now able to make single-use batteries with common metals that are considered not to be hazardous by the federal government. They are able to be tossed in the regular garbage in most states, California is an exception where it is not legal to throw away ANY type of battery. You must recycle batteries in that state.

As of 1996, single-use batteries were made with mercury and were considered to be hazardous waste. Thanks to the Battery Act in 1996 manufacturers are prohibited from using mercury, a toxic element, in all types of batteries they produce, except for mercuric oxide batteries or button cell batteries. The button cell battery in watches doesn’t belong to the same class and are recycled the same as rechargeable batteries.

There are many ways to recycle single-use batteries, it is usually done for a battery disposal fee. Here are some methods for recycling them:

• Contact your district’s solid waste program to find out about their collection practices and recycling events to recycle batteries. Many communities and cities have “drop-off sites” run by the government. Some cities have special bags you can put next to your dumpster.
• Use online directories that feature battery recycling locations in your area that accept single-use batteries.
• Search for mail-in solutions that allow you to send your dead batteries. Some places sell containers you can use to store your dead batteries in and mail them in when they are filled.

Alternatives to Single-Use Batteries

To avoid creating so much waste and the need for frequent battery disposal, you can opt for using rechargeable batteries instead of those of the single-use type. Rechargeable batteries provide more than 1,000 uses, and you won’t have to pay to recycle them.

As a culture, we use an overwhelming amount of single-use items. It is a dangerous practice that is killing our very existence. Even though rechargeable batteries take more effort to dispose of, it is essential for our sake and the sake of the environment that we choose them over single-use batteries. It is a much sustainable way to power our electronics.

Rechargeable Batteries

Also very commonly used are rechargeable batteries, which need safe battery disposal. They power cell phones, digital cameras, laptops, media devices, power tools, and other types of electronics. There are various types of rechargeable batteries including nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride are found in items such as two-way radios, cordless power tools, and digital cameras. All of these items offer an opportunity to recycle batteries.

Other types of batteries that are less commonly seen are small sealed lead-acid batteries that are found in security systems, mobility scooters, emergency exit signs, and other special-use items.

Should Rechargeable Batteries Be Recycled or Trashed?

Rechargeable batteries definitely need to be recycled and disposed of properly. Under no circumstances should rechargeable batteries be simply put in the trash or any kind of dumpster. In fact, it is illegal to do so in many states, with hefty fines if you are caught. They contain hazardous materials such as heavy metals and are very dangerous for us and the environment.

How Can I Recycle Rechargeable Batteries?

A great advantage of recycling rechargeable batteries is that it is typically free. Battery disposal is made easy with many participating businesses acting as battery recycling locations.

You’ll find them in places such as office supply stores, home improvement businesses, and some hardware stores. Places like Home Depot, Target, and Radio Shack have options. These businesses usually have a dropbox where you can simply deposit your unwanted batteries.

There are also businesses dedicated to the special waste disposal of electronics and batteries. These businesses are dedicated to preventing electronic waste from making it to landfills.

Look for these businesses in online directories that are designed to assist you in finding a convenient place near your home. There are plenty of battery recycling locations all over major cities where battery disposal is made easy and convenient. You are sure to find an easy way to recycle batteries properly. Plus, when you choose rechargeable batteries, you won’t need to dispose of them as often.

Primary Lithium Button Cell Batteries (Non-Rechargeable)

As previously mentioned, there’s a small amount of mercury in button cell batteries. These small round batteries are single-use and are found in devices such as hearing aids, watches, some toys, and cameras.

Besides proper battery disposal of button cell batteries, they also need to be kept away from young children who have been known to need immediate medical attention after swallowing them.

Can Button Cell Batteries Be Recycled?

Yes! Because of their mercury content, button cell batteries most certainly need to be recycled properly.

How to Recycle Button Cell Batteries

Recycling button cell batteries is easy, just drop them off at a convenient location or mail them in as you would rechargeable batteries.

Getting Your Batteries Ready For Recycling

Once you find your convenient battery recycling locations, the next step is to gather all items and get them ready for proper battery disposal. Taking these steps will ensure that you recycle batteries safely.

Prepping Single-Use Batteries

First, you’ll want to put a piece of non-conductive clear tape at both ends to keep any current transfer from happening. Instead of putting tape at the ends, you can instead place each individual battery in a bag before you recycle batteries.

Secondly, to avoid sparks, it is important that you keep the batteries in a cardboard or plastic container. This will keep the batteries from conducting electricity.

Prepping Rechargeable Batteries

Take the batteries out from the electronic items they power. If you’re disposing of a device, such as a laptop, it will have to be disposed of separately from the laptop battery. There’s an exception with cell iPods or cell phones, these are widely accepted by almost all battery recycling collectors.

Be sure to apply tape at the terminals using non-conductive clear tape. There could be additional steps if you’re mailing your battery to a recycling facility. Check with the place where you’re depositing your battery to find out their requirements.

At CJD, we recycle many different types of batteries for your convenience. Check out our list of accepted items for all the battery types we take.

Prepping Button Cell Batteries

Since these types of batteries are so small, the whole thing can easily be covered with one piece of tape.

Battery Disposal of Damaged or Broken Batteries

It is very important that you handle broken or damaged batteries with protective eyewear and gloves. If the batteries are leaking or have come apart, place them into a separate bag or approved container. Place a label on the receptacle to announce it contains damaged batteries. Do not dispose of them with the other batteries, contact the recycling service to make special arrangements.

Important Tips to Consider

Some cautionary tips to avoid dangerous accidents include:

• Do Not Stack Button Cell Batteries: Be sure to keep the positive terminal against the tape and avoid putting the batteries together on top of one another, instead you can place another piece of tape over the negative terminals.
• Avoid Taping Different Chemistries Together: Each type of battery should be kept separate from other types.
• Keep Out of Reach: Batteries can be easily swallowed by children or pets. There are toys for kids and pets that are battery-operated, and thus you have to be aware of this precaution. Lithium button cell batteries found in some toys have been known to be swallowed causing severe burns and in some cases death. Go to the emergency room immediately if you suspect this has happened.
• Keep Dry and Cool: Never leave batteries in moist places, in direct sunlight, or places that accumulate heat such as inside a vehicle on a hot summer day. Keep away from flammable or humid areas.
• Choose a Non-Conductive Container: Containers made from cardboard or plastic serve as an additional precaution to recycle batteries. Don’t use metal containers or cans. Also, don’t include metal items with your batteries such as staples or paperclips, these can become flammable when in contact with batteries.
• Keep Positive Terminals Secure: Remember to ALWAYS tape positive terminals on all kinds of batteries. This prevents a short-circuit from occurring.

Following these tips will ensure you keep the safety of yourself and those who will handle the batteries after you recycle them. These small extra steps go a long way and are very appreciated by everyone along the recycling line.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve read this article, it shows your interest in being a responsible member of society in the effort to recycle batteries safely and properly. The planet thanks you, the waste disposal industry thanks you, and you’ll thank yourself for keeping your home or office safe and protecting those around you.

Learn about your electronics and get familiar with the types of batteries that power them. Remember that not all batteries are made equal. Know the protocols for each type of battery and find out the special way to dispose of them.

Consult with your city and community to find out what resources they have for you to safely recycle batteries. There are many companies as well who are ready to assist you in battery disposal. Many battery recycling locations are close to your home, or you may also arrange for a shipping method.

There are plenty of resources out there to help you to safely dispose of all your batteries. You’ll be surprised all the items you have around that require this effort!

The post How To Recycle Batteries Responsibly and Safely appeared first on CJD E-Cycling.

E-waste recycling has many environmental benefits. Electronic Waste (E-Waste) is a word used to identify any electronic equipment that has been discarded because it is broken, unwanted, nearing end-of-life, or no longer in use. Electronic equipment and components that makeup E-waste include computers, printers, phones, televisions, stereos, among others. Commercial places also have e-waste like broken dialysis machines, massage chairs, imaging equipment, autoclaves, etc. You can break down everyday e-waste items into the following groups:

• Home appliances
• Communications and Information Technology Devices
• Electronic Utilities
• Office and Medical Equipment
• Home Entertainment Devices

In today’s technological world, e-waste definition may not necessarily mean broken or obsolete products that have stopped working. Technological advancements have rendered some electronic equipment e-waste even when they are in perfect condition. Think of the VCRs lying around for years after DVD players hit the market. When manufacturers think they can make an improved version of a product, previous versions may become electronic waste.

If you look at electronic waste statistics over the years, the numbers are incredibly high, with a significant percentage of unwanted but working electronic devices. For instance, cell companies make mobile phones that are not made to last for more than two years to increase sales. E-waste is one of the most rampantly growing environmental problems globally, so regulations were put in place to oversee waste electronic waste disposal.

Safe electronic recycling produces significant benefits of recycling electronic waste to the global economy at large. Electronic Recycling can even start from your personal space and move up to offices and substantial manufacturing companies.

Effects of E-Waste On The Environment And Safety

When you dive into the benefits of recycling electronic waste, it is imperative to know the effects of this waste on the environment and the safety of living things. Here is a summary of a few general results:

• Most electronics contain toxic elements such as lead, nickel, zinc, and chromium. The release of this to the environment causes health problems to humans when they encounter them, either by touch or orally.
• Improper disposal of this waste by burning causes a release of toxic gases in to the atmosphere, damaging the atmospheric layers.
• E-waste disposed of in landfills seeps into the groundwater, causing problems for both land and sea animals. A lot of fish that die from unnatural causes contain some of these toxic substances in their system.
• Development of neurological, reproductive, and other biological problems for human beings that inhale, apply or ingest any substance with e-waste items.
• E-waste has rendered some geographical areas toxic for human beings and other animals because of the sole purpose of being used as dumping sites. For example, Ghana’s Agbogbloshie area is one of the largest informal e-waste dumping sites in Africa and was ranked among the top 10 world’s worst toxic threats.
• High levels of e-waste toxic substances in the soil kill plants and reduce agricultural harvest. Without a robust agricultural industry, both human beings and animals suffer from a lack of food.
• Atmospheric changes due to toxic gases lead to climatic changes such as global warming.

Even as the e-waste problem keeps growing, the recycling industry has also grown significantly. You can identify different areas globally dedicated to e-waste recycling and providing jobs to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. A country like China handles almost 70% of the world’s e-waste recycling needs. Otherwise, without proper recycling, much of this waste ends up in scrap metal dealers’ hands.

A significant level of good can come from proper recycling, as you will see in this article. Not only does it make the environment better, but communities are also protected from health hazards that come from these wastes. You can find some environmental benefits of e-waste recycling below:

Environmental Benefits of Recycling Electronic Waste

1. Reduced Mining of Virgin Resources

Most electronic components contain minerals and metallic elements that must be mined from different mining fields across the world. The continuous mining of resources is fast, leading to their depletion and affecting the environment negatively.

If you look at conflict mineral statistics from areas in and around DRC Congo, illegal mining is on the rise, and the effects on the overall wellbeing of the regions are not pleasant. When you recycle electronic components like circuit boards, there is an impressive amount of these elements like tin, gold, palladium, copper, and silver harvested from e-waste.

For instance, harvesting tin from electronic components reduces a significant percentage of tin mined from underground resources. Imagine this: you could get 40-800 times more gold and 30-40 times more copper from 1 ton of circuit boards than from mining 1 ton of ore.

2. Provides an Environmentally Friendly Source Of Resources To Manufacturers

Every time you buy a new electronic device, the metallic and plastic composition are from a resource somewhere. When the old ones are thrown out, the negative impact is double: more metallic and plastic resources must be dug up, and the waste hurts the environment. Instead, practicing safe recycling of unwanted electronics means that you save the environment from being over-exploited, and you also keep it safe from unnecessary e-waste.

Since e-waste does not readily decompose, dumping these metallic elements instead of reusing them only adds to bio-hazards to the environment and human beings. Proper e-waste recycling means that manufacturers have an environmentally friendly source of metallic and plastic materials to produce new devices. For example, hard drives can be processed into aluminum ingot for use by automotive manufacturers. As a result, you get to reduce the depletion of these resources and reduce e-waste dumping on the environment.

3. Prevent usage of landfills

Landfills are serious environmental hazards and impact all living things, humans, plants, and animals alike. When you fail to recycle electronic waste from your house or commercial buildings properly, this waste ends up in the hands of informal waste operators who dump this in landfills. After a while, the metallic, plastic, and toxic materials in this e-waste start leaching through the landfills’ ground and find their way into nearby water sources.

The more e-waste there is that is not recycled correctly, the greater the need to have landfills for disposal. One of the benefits of recycling electronic waste is reducing landfills that have hazardous effects on the environment, especially bodies of water. When you place your e-waste in the hands of certified recyclers, then you can be sure that proper care is taken to reuse elements that can be reused and recycled.

4. Protect Bodies of Water from Toxic Waste Poisoning

As you have seen above, landfills release toxic chemicals into the groundwater, and this finds its way to nearby wells and freshwater bodies. Before you know it, people and animals that use this water start getting sick from chemical poisoning.

E-waste recycling prevents a fair amount of these toxic elements from leaching into bodies of water and ensures the water is kept fresh and safe. Keeping water clean is one of the benefits of recycling electronic waste.

5. Save Land and Energy

Primary productions of metals from mining ores consume a considerable amount of energy and land. Digging and drilling holes underground and leaving these places as wasteland harms the environment. You can agree with us that land with gaping holes and pits is not a pleasant sight. Also, some of these holes only end up destabilizing surrounding grounds whenever there are heavy rains.

Electronic recycling can help curb continuous mining and helps global environmentalists save energy and to avoid land wastage. Energy is a resource we cannot afford to misuse, and saving it is a way of thanking mother nature for the precious gift and is one of the benefits of recycling electronic waste.

6. E-waste recycling helps reduce air pollution

Among the benefits of recycling electronic waste is the ability to reduce air pollution from toxic gases. You can do your part in ensuring that poisonous gases are not released into the air that we need to breathe by ensuring the old and no-longer-in-use electronic devices are correctly recycled rather than being burnt directly. Perhaps you have noted that from the effects of e-waste to the environment, high temperatures on the components cause them to release poisonous gases into the air, which are harmful to living things.

Also, mining activities involve blasting on rocks and gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and dust. For example, for 1 ton of gold or platinum, about 10000 tons of Carbon dioxide is emitted. Electronic recycling cuts a significant percentage of toxic gas emissions and, as a result, protects the air from pollution.

7. Electronic Recycling Promotes the Integrity of Agricultural Soil

E-waste recycling not only prevents toxic chemicals from leaching into the soil and making it poisonous from plant growth, but it also prevents the release of poisonous gases and dust through mining to surrounding agricultural fields. A large percentage of the world’s population relies on agriculture as a livelihood source and ensuring the fields are fertile and safe to grow plants is essential to promoting overall human wellbeing.

As one of the benefits of recycling electronic waste, promoting the integrity of soil, promotes agriculture, and the growth of natural green resources for plants, animals, and human beings. A greener environment leads to cleaner air and safer home for all.

8. Reduce health hazards on the environment

Localities like Guiyu that are hubs for waste disposal have issues of residents experiencing health problems such as skin disease arising from improper e-waste disposal. When the environment is ailing, inhabitants will ail too.

Proper e-waste recycling helps protect the environment from hazardous and toxic substances that can hurt people who use these natural resources. You can avoid environmental hazards from leaching metals, poisonous gases, and dust from mining and burning waste by safe recycling of e-waste.

9. Promote fisheries resources

E-waste is a complex composition of different toxins that, when dumped in landfills, leach into water bodies and kill fishes and other water animals. There is a significant amount of lead, copper, mercury, cadmium, and other deadly material that permeates the streams and rivers and kills water life in the end. Mercury, for example, is a neurotoxin that can kill in mere minutes. Recent studies from scientists have shown that dead fishes found in deposits on sea and waterbed contain high mercury levels determined to come from human activities around water bodies.

E-waste recycling helps reduce water poisoning and jeep it fresh for water animals and plants. As a result, you help preserve the freshwater ecosystem for plants, animals, and even people who depend on them as livelihood sources.

10. Availability of more resources in recycling

You have now determined that there are many e-waste recycling sites all over the world. As more electronic waste is handed over to these recyclers, they can deliver readily available resources. Whenever you dispose of electronics that you deem obsolete, these give rise to more purified resources than starting from scratch through mining and refining.

A good example is the amount of copper and gold that you find from 1 ton of electronic devices than 1 ton of ore. The process of cleaning and reusing this to make other components is easier on the environment and produces more than digging through miles and miles of the ground; it is one of the benefits of recycling electronic waste. The metals gathered from electronic waste components only require smelting into ingots and are then ready to use. Most of the electronic devices that are considered waste can be reused with a few upgrades if you think of it.

Conclusion

The benefits of recycling electronic waste are great, and the impact on the environment is significant. You cannot ignore that proper recycling is something that every company needs to embrace. However, when informal recyclers take over e-waste recycling, the results negatively impact the environment and people who work in those areas. From cases of poisoning, skin infections, and neurological problems, you can see statistics about people suffering from the effects of improperly recycled and disposed of e-waste.

What can be done to reduce the impact of waste? You can use your devices much longer to reduce the build-up of waste and come up with safer ways of collecting broken and obsolete devices and directing the companies certified in e-waste recycling like CJD E-Cycling. You can even start an initiative in your company, neighborhood, or with your friends to have electronic components that are being used to be safely collected in one place for safe recycling.

Proper recycling starts with you as it climbs up to the other stakeholders in the electronic industry. If you chose to toss your electronics into the trash or dustbin, they would most likely end up in landfills, which is something environmentalists are trying to avoid. Some of these are shipped to developing countries who dispose of them in informal settlements and harm their residents. Instead, work with certified recyclers who help businesses attain eco-friendly certifications of proper disposal.

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