Everyday Electronics That Can and Should Be Recycled

There are tons of daily use items that can and should be recycled, like paper, plastic, milk cartons, pop cans and even grass clippings. People use light bulbs, computers and phones every day but have you ever thought of recycling your electronic items? There’s a lot of e-waste we produce that needs to be disposed of and recycled. Let’s look at what some of those items are.

Computer Accessories

In our homes and offices, we use computer mice and keyboards daily. Hundreds are frequently found in the office and at home. Computer accessories that should be recycled include Ethernet cables, charging cords and external hard drives.

Wiring in computer accessories can be stripped and the metal recycled to make new items. In addition, they have circuit boards that can be recycled for two reasons; one, they can be shredded and sorted like other accessories and two; the metals found in them can be reused. Circuit boards contain hazardous chemicals and materials that must be properly disposed of rather than discarded in a landfill.

Televisions

Televisions are no longer a luxury but rather a necessity in peoples’ homes. Each type of television has its own set of recycling requirements. Lead is present in CRT televisions and must be handled properly to comply with federal and international regulations. CRT televisions contain metals that can be recycled and reused.

LCD and plasma TV screens must be properly removed and recycled. They also have circuit boards in them which can be shredded and reused. Hazardous materials must also be kept separate from non-hazardous materials. You can recycle old TV free at King of Recycling.

Light bulbs

Fluorescent, LED, incandescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs should be recycled. LED lights are becoming increasingly popular in new light fixtures and strip lights are often installed beneath counters and cabinets. Although incandescent bulbs are gradually becoming obsolete, they are still sold in stores and used in lamps or overhead lights. CFL bulbs are replacing incandescent bulbs because they last longer and consume less energy.

Mercury powder is present in fluorescent tube lamps and CFL bulbs, which is hazardous to the environment and has the potential to contaminate soil as well as water. Animals and humans can become very ill if they consume contaminated water. Furthermore, contaminated soil renders the land unfit for plant growth. A circuit board is housed in the base of LED lights. Like keyboards and computer mice, circuit boards should be shredded for reuse and sorted to remove any household hazardous waste. Incandescent bulbs have recyclable aluminum bases and wiring on the inside that can be recycled and reused. All of these bulbs can be recycled and reused.

AA and AAA batteries

The most popular types of batteries we use to power our TV remotes, children’s toys and other battery-operated home products are AA and AAA batteries. Unfortunately, smoke detectors and other monitoring equipment constantly drain these batteries, necessitating their replacement. However, if people choose to keep AA and AAA batteries for recycling rather than throwing them away, they can quickly add up.

A variety of metals and chemicals are used to make AA and AAA batteries. To the untrained eye, lithium, alkaline and other commodities appear to be the same. However, there are different techniques to sorting, storing, packing, transporting and recycling batteries. If they are disposed of in a landfill, the exterior protective coating can deteriorate over time, allowing the chemicals inside to escape. Rain and run-off pick up these pollutants, contaminating the soil and water outside the landfill. Batteries in landfills can also cause fires which are tough to put out and spew poisons into the atmosphere. Look for e-waste recycling services near your locality.

Cellphones

We all have smartphones, don’t we? Even 5-year-olds are using smartphones and tablets. They aren’t just for making phone calls. We use them to text, check emails, navigate and look up information. They can also function as cameras, calculators and calendars.

Smartphones and flip phones have circuit boards that run on batteries. Aside from recycling circuit boards for metal reuse and disposal of hazardous materials, the plastic and wiring should also be recycled. Cellphone batteries must be handled and processed carefully, from collection to shredding.

Wrap up

That’s all there is to it. Five items to recycle daily. Remember, the item in your hand, the item you scarcely even think about, can and should be recycled. The next time you think about upgrading your cell phone or unscrewing a burnt-out light bulb to replace it with a more energy-efficient variety, consider the recycling aspect, not only because they contain recyclable components but also because it may contain hazardous or toxic materials that, if not treated appropriately, might affect our soil, water and air.

Do you know who can help you with recycling? King of Recycling. We provide a free drop-off service and can easily recycle all your residential and office electronic waste.