| With environmental issues taking center | | | | their computers, cell phones, and other |
| stage, more and more people are trying to do | | | | electronics. |
| their part and be environmentally | | | | |
| responsible. Most people know about water and | | | | Computer recycling is one of the most |
| energy conservation, but what a lot of people | | | | important things to get involved with, as |
| don't know about is electronics recycling. | | | | only about 20% of obsolete computers are |
| | | | recycled. Computers and monitors make up |
| There are many reasons to get involved in | | | | about 40% of e-waste in landfills and almost |
| electronics recycling. One is that most | | | | everyone has a computer that is outdated or |
| people simply have a lot of electronics that | | | | unused. Your old computer, along with old |
| are out of date, obsolete, broken or simply | | | | cell phones, printers, etc. can have a |
| unused. There is a wide range of electronics | | | | negative impact on the environment if they |
| that can be recycled: cell phones, computers, | | | | end up in a landfill. |
| monitors, televisions, printers, copiers, fax | | | | |
| machines, calculators, keyboards, stereo | | | | If you are interested in helping the |
| systems, and the list goes on and on. | | | | environment, consider electronics recycling. |
| Basically, everyone has something in their | | | | The best way to get started is to evaluate |
| home that isn't used and can be recycled. | | | | your electronics that are not being used, |
| | | | broken, out of date or simply collecting dust |
| Computer recycling, as well as recycling | | | | in your basement, garage or storage facility. |
| other electronics, is one of the best ways to | | | | Do some searching and find a facility in your |
| help the environment - especially because | | | | area that recycles these electronics and take |
| e-waste is becoming one of the worst | | | | them there to be recycled. Make sure you |
| pollutants to threaten our environment. | | | | check out the website or call first to ensure |
| E-waste describes any electronic device that | | | | that the facility takes all of the |
| is improperly disposed of and contains toxins | | | | electronics that you have. If they don't, |
| that when left in a landfill can seep those | | | | they should be able to direct you to other |
| toxins into the surrounding earth and water | | | | facilities that can take what they don't. |
| supply. Electronics contain toxins such as | | | | |
| mercury, lead, arsenic and other toxic | | | | It doesn't take much time to collect your old |
| materials. Many people don't recycle their | | | | electronics, find a facility and drop them |
| electronics simply because they don't realize | | | | off - but the impact from those actions can |
| the hazard caused by improper disposal. | | | | be huge. You will be happy to know that you |
| Another reason is because they don't know | | | | are helping the environment by combating the |
| about local facilities that will recycle | | | | harmful effects of e-waste. |