To prevent an environmental catastrophe due to excessive e-waste dumping, try recycling as much as you can. Read the article for tips on how to recycle electronic goods.

How To Recycle Electronic Goods

You have just bought a computer with the latest configuration or a home music system with the most advanced speakers, which is the envy of your friends. But your delight becomes short lived, as within a period of a few months, another more advanced version of the computer or music system is released. And to your despair, one of your friends manage to grab one as well. If only you had waited for a few more days! That is one of the most common demerits of electronic goods nowadays. No one holds the number one position for long, as cheaper and much more advanced versions come as fast as they are sold. Now, the question arises that what is to be done with the old products, which hang like an albatross around the neck, reminding you of your inferiority. If you are thinking of disposing them as garbage, then you will be contributing towards a very harmful environmental impact. This is beacuse, electronic wastes contain harmful contaminants like lead, cadmium, beryllium, etc, which are health and ecological hazards. With the advancement in technology, there is a drastic increase in the electronic waste output throughout the world, which has now become a cause of serious concern. The most effective solution, at least till now, is recycling and reusing these e-goods as much as possible. To help you in this regard, we have listed tips on how to recycle electronic goods.
 
Electronic Goods Recycling
 
  • The good news is that there are many small and big companies that specialize in electronic goods recycling and they even pay for it (in some cases). So, instead of dumping your old gadgets, it is better to sell them to such companies.
  • Before sending your e-waste for recycling, take care to wipe off the memory from the ones that contain personal information. Computer hard discs and mobile memory cards must be ‘cleaned’ thoroughly. For this, there are various programs that can do the job effectively. Another option is to smash them completely.
  • Different companies specialize in recycling different types of electronic goods or they recycle different components of the same electronic item. So, while some may take only the batteries and cartridges, others may take the complete item.
  • If possible, dismantle your electronic products, so that you can sell some as scrap and give the harmful components for recycling.
  • Some retailers take back old goods and give you a new product at a discount. Find out with your retailers, if they have such an offer. You can also pay some companies to take your e-waste and it’s very cheap. It will also save you from the guilt that you are harming the environment.
  • Find out the companies that specialize in recycling in your area and contact them. Depending upon the amount of e-waste you have, you can select the recyclers. Remember that large recycling companies won’t go for household e-wastes, so contact those that are smaller in scale.
  • Reusing is the best form of recycling. Reuse your product for as long as possible. If you do not want to reuse it, give it to someone who might do so. Many charitable organizations can make use of your old electronic goods, for better purpose. So, donate them to such charities.

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