Do you have dead electronics?
You know that old computer in your attic? The one riddled with viruses and lacking the capacity to download a song from the Internet? Yeah, you’re probably going to want to get rid of it before you move. But don’t throw it away — recycle it.
Why You Should Recycle Electronics
There are two important reasons to recycle your electronics:
Chemicals, plastics and pollution – Many electronics contain chemicals and elements that can harm the environment. While it might seem okay to trash a computer in a garbage dumb, those elements and chemicals will eventually make their way into the soil and the ecosystem.
A dead TV has value – Many electronics and their components can still be used to create other electronics or service those in need. For example, most electronics contain copper, which can be reused. Simply throwing a computer away means abandoning those valuable elements and components.
Where to Recycle Your Electronics
Unfortunately, there isn’t a blue recycling bin for your defunct stereo and printer. You’ll need to either bring your electronics to a recycling center or contact a recycling center to come get your electronics from you (some, not all, will do this).
Googling “electronics recycling” in your town is a good way to start. If nothing shows up in your search, you can try the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, which has a database to help you find local recycling centers.
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