Although consumer electronics contribute less than two percent of the waste within the United States, it is an ever-increasing problem. Thrown into landfills, these computers, office equipment, telephones, cell phones, and televisions add up to over 2 million short tons in the year 2007 alone. The numbers are staggering worldwide with 20 to 50 million tons. Only 18 percent of this went to recycling in 2007, but with consumer education and strict regulations, this can increase in the future. The reality of the electronics waste can be brutal. Electronics are made from materials such as mercury, lead, and nickel. These are dangerous to not only humans, but also the environment as a whole. Electronic recycling is the responsible choice and easy to do.
Electronic recycling is a good choice for so many reasons. Not only does it keep those electronics out of landfills, it also saves energy. Modern electronics use up valuable resources including copper, precious metals, and plastics. These materials, in their raw forms, use a considerable amount of energy to manufacture. When the electronics are recycled, the materials used can be recovered and reused which in turn reduces waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions as well as energy and the raw materials themselves.
Electronic recycling is an obvious smart choice. If you had a jewelry box full of gold that you did not want to wear any more or was broken, would you throw it into the garbage? Of course not. Electronics use a large percentage of the gold mined in the United States as well as copper. In the same way, if you knew that you had waste that contained lead or cadmium, you would dispose of it properly for the safety of your family as well as others. Many of the electronics made today do contain these materials and, if they are disposed of improperly, could end up in your water supply.
When your computer is on its last leg or you upgrade your cell phone and you decide to recycle it, you have many options. Electronic recycling has become as easy as visiting a website to find drop-off points in your area. You can also donate them to local charities and other organizations that can put your old electronics to good use. Donating your old equipment also gives you a tax deduction, which is a benefit in and of itself. Take care of yourself and the environment by disposing of your electronics properly and recycle them today.