Recycling Electronic Waste

Surely I'm not the only one that has an old laptop, ink cartridges, an iPod classic, and random cords and things lying around the house because I have just no clue what to do with them. But they can be recycled! RECYCLED!!

First, let me say that you should use your electronics as long as possible. Just like anything else, the less you replace something the less resources you consume. Using 1 phone every 2 years vs 1 phone every 1 year is a big difference long term. So first step is to REDUCE consumption - use only what you really genuinely need to.

But if you're like me and don't live in the most environmentally progressive place, recycling your electronics can be a problem and/or a hassle.

Cities may or may not actually collect or allow for drop off of e-waste. And that can be frustrating. But nationwide, Best Buy does! If you've been in one of their stores lately, you may have noticed the bins near the entrance. Well you can drop off a variety of e-waste at their shops: laptops, cell phones, calculators, landline phones, laptop batteries, printers, tablets, e-readers, cables and cords, that old ipod, alarm clocks, charging cables.... the list goes on.

Best Buy doesn't accept old discs - CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, etc so that's a bit tricky. And many of us have old burned CDs and scratched DVDs around that we don't or can't use anymore. You can mail them to the CD Recycling Center of America [if you're in the US anyway]. Sure it's a few bucks to mail a box of things to be recycled, but it's totally worth it and also good environmental karma.

If you have CDs still in cases and in good shape, there's likely to be a used music shop in your town that you can donate or sell back to. Alternatively Goodwill and other thrift stores are also a good option because at least the items can have a second life instead of landing up straight in the trash.

If you have some newer tech that is still functional, you can also trade it in at Best Buy! How cool is that? Getting a few bucks for something and knowing it's taken care of is better than recycling it outright and also infinitely better than chucking it in the trash (and into a landfill).

For more local options, you'll have to do some digging. I found a great local place I had no idea existed for me by googling "electronics recycling [insert city name]". Turns out they also refurbish used electronic equipment and resell it at discounted rates, which is awesome.

I've made a resource sheet here for everyone to share/add to. Happy Recycling!

Additional Reading:
The Global Cost of Electronic Waste The Atlantic, 9/26/2016
Best Buy's Recycling Guidelines accessed 11/16/2018
CD Recycling Center of America accessed 11/16/2018