From Guest Blogger Lauren Williamson: E-Waste–What to do With Your Old Electronics?

With today’s digital advancement and increased use of electronics, it is obvious that E-waste holds a significant proportion of waste that is generated altogether. Broken electronics or items that have become obsolete are destined for recycling. If recycled correctly there is a lot of raw material that can be drawn for secondary use.

So keeping this in mind here is a small guide that will help you know more about e-waste recycling:

Computers and Peripherals – Laptops are replacing the desktops on a daily basis. So what should you do with your old one? Well, you should never dump them inside a landfill as computers are made from valuable resources which can be used again. Computers include a variety of recyclable material, including metal, plastic, and glass. In fact, nearly 100% of a computer is made up of materials that can be recycled. Peripherals can additionally be recycled. These include keyboards, cables, mouse, printers, scanners, floppy drives, computer speakers, optical media and external hard drives. Certain retailers and manufacturers offer computers recycling plans and services.

Office Equipment – If you are planning on upgrading your office make sure to recycle your out-of-date equipment. By donating or recycling these products, you can reduce pollution, save resources, and reduce the energy needed to manufacture new products. Printers have become so low-priced that many people think of them as disposable. However, recyclers can strip the old equipment to restore the base materials which, in turn, become the raw material required to produce brand-new products. You must remember that printer cartridges do not belong in landfills, and neither should they be flushed down the drains to cause a preventable blockage.

Televisions – The digital transition won’t be sparing your TV sets as well, as you move over to flat screens and LCD/LED panels, the CRT TVs will need proper disposal. Most TVs work with an analog signal or a digital signal. If you don’t have cable or satellite services, you will need a set-top box that you can purchase at most electronics shops to receive the digital signal. A lot of municipalities do not allow TV sets to be discarded into landfills, as they can be serious environmental hazards. Older television sets carry up to eight pounds each of lead which was initially used to protect viewers from radiation. Certain retailers and manufacturers, including LG and Sony, offer TV recycling programs.

Consumer Electronics –  If you have moved on from your old VCR and are looking for options to cuck it out of your house, then make sure to look for recycling options. Equipment that is broken or obsolete can be dismantled, and the scrap cost of several components can be reclaimed. Printed circuit boards and wiring might contain some quantities of precious metals and base metals that can be recovered. Frames and cases may include recyclable plastic or steel. MP3 players carry toxic substances, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. Most materials in DVD players can be recycled to make new parts and components. The consumer electronics category also includes audio equipment, recording devices, calculators and digital clocks that are all eligible for recycling.

So whenever you feel like upgrading your equipment, keep in mind that you need to recycle your old ones as well, and you might be able to make some money out of it. If you have any of the equipment mentioned above lying in your home, you know what to do with them!