Whether you are disposing of electronic pieces of equipment that are outdated or are no longer needed, there are ways to get rid of them safely and in a green manner. You need to learn about the different methods you can use to eliminate your e-waste. These methods include exporting, donating, recycling, and e-waste dismantlers.

Recycling

An excellent electronics recycling process helps protect the environment, saves energy, and keeps toxic materials out of the waste stream. It can help reduce air pollution and prevent toxins from contaminating the water.

But improperly disposed of electronic devices end up in informal settlements in developing countries. These devices may contain metals and toxic elements.

The Basel Action Network estimates that 80% of electronic waste in the United States is improperly disposed of. This waste is sent to countries such as China, where they are processed and recycled. However, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries disputes the estimate.

The main problem with e-waste is that it slowly decomposes. This waste contains toxic elements that can leach into nearby water sources and groundwater. These toxic elements can harm the surrounding communities and even be dangerous to living things.

Donating

Luckily, many organizations collect and recycle electronic waste. Some of them are national, while others are local. You can even donate your old gadgets to local charities and schools to minimize environmental impact.

Choosing the proper organization to dispose of your electronics is the first step towards environmentally friendly disposal. For example, the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and fort Lauderdale electronics recycling offer services that get your electronics to the recycling bins. Many organizations can dispose of your old electronics, but you need to check with your city or county to see which ones match.

One of the best ways to reuse old electronics is to give them to a charitable organization or daycare center. These places can use computers, DVD players, air conditioning units, and other esoteric electronics. You may even get some tax deductions in return.

Exporting

Americans are addicted to a never-ending stream of new gadgets. The result is a glut of toxic E-waste. The U.S. is the only developed country to sign the Basel Convention on hazardous waste. As such, the EPA must address this potentially hazardous material. It’s not just the U.S.; the European Union also has a long and sordid history of importing and exporting our electronic waste.

Several state laws require device makers to pay for recycling electronic waste. However, many companies do not. One of the reasons is that electronic device recycling is expensive. Another is the environmental impact of shipping hazardous materials overseas. Despite these barriers, some companies still recycle the toxic electronic waste within the U.S.

Formatting your devices before disposing of them

Whether you are looking to buy a new computer or dispose of your old one, you should do a few things before you put the blinker on your new desk. First and foremost is ensuring the machine has the latest software, hardware, and security features. Secondly, you must ensure the machine is in mint condition. If not, it may be time for a facelift. Lastly, it’s time to rethink your data storage and backup practices. An excellent way to do this is to replace your external hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD) or a cloud-based solution.

Another smart move would be to encrypt your data so that it is rendered unreadable by hackers. It is best accomplished using a password-protected file manager like Windows or Mac OS X.

Choosing an e-waste dismantler

Choosing an e-waste dismantler is vital because it is the process that will allow you to take your e-waste to a facility for recycling. Electronics are precious, and their materials may contain toxic chemicals. It can be dangerous to inhale these chemicals and, in the long run, can cause congenital disabilities, neurological disorders, and even mutations.

There are many ways you can recycle your electronics. Some methods include donating them, donating them to charity, or throwing them away. You may also choose to have them dismantled for reuse. You will have to choose a reputable e-waste dismantler that will take care of the materials you have to recycle.