Recycling Electronic Items - Computers, TVs, etc.

With the way technology multiplies year after year with newer, better, bigger and improved products for computer users, you can just imagine the amount of waste that is generated when thousands of consumers upgrade every year.  One household may have one or two computers to upgrade every few years, but if you add to that computers and monitors from even a small business, the numbers add up very quickly. 

Image via WikipediaWhat is the problem with throwing computers, their monitors, TVs and the like away with the rest of our trash?  The main concern is that with CRTs and TVs they each contain approximately four pounds of lead per unit.  Lead cannot be biologically broken down and if it were placed in a landfill there is the possibility of the landfill becoming contaminated with the toxins from lead.  Lead poisoning has been associated with several health problems in children, including, learning disabilities and behavior issues and in some extreme cases, where high doses of the lead has been found, there have been reports of seizures, coma and even death.  There is always the risk of lead toxins seeping into a water source if left in a landfill and any results of lead poisoning are made even more tragic because they are so easily preventable. 

In addition to the lead in some household items like computer screens and TVs, the plastic parts of these items sometimes contain a component that is called, brominated flame-retardant that helps the item to be resistant to flames in case of a fire.  Unfortunately, while the exact results of exposure to this additive are undocumented there is most likely some kind of negative result that it's just better to steer clear of. 

In an effort to keep these potentially hazardous materials out of landfills there are many other options for ridding your home of older, outdated technology.  The first option should be to check with your community to see if there is a program set up to receive older CRTs and TVs for recycling.  For instance, in Massachusetts, many cities and towns were given grant money for the specific purpose of setting up such a program. 

Image via WikipediaIf your town does not have such a program the next place to look would be at a local TV repair shop or even an electronics retailer because they may be able to reuse what you want to throw out.  Some areas even have electronic recycling companies that will come to your residence or business and pick up such items and from there they are responsible for the recycling of the items.  Even if a piece of electronic equipment can no longer be used for refurbishing an older model they can always be dissected and the individual components can be sold for their scrap value. 

No matter what the item is that you want to recycle, there is a way to do it -- all you usually need to do is make a phone call or two, or do a quick internet search, and you will have done your part to help keep our planet safe and clean for future generations.

Here are some resources you may find helpful:

http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm (this one has a lot of links to different helpful resources)
http://www.ecyclingcentral.com/ (click on your state to find programs in your area)
http://www.recyclingcenters.org/electronics_recycling.php (a state-by-state listing)
http://www.electronicstakeback.com/how-to-recycle-electronics/ (offers a number of different options for donating and recycling)