A Contributed Post: Recycling Your Tech

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that most electronic equipment with no further useful operating life (aka “e-waste”) isn’t really waste at all—it’s actually usable, marketable equipment and parts. In 2009, only 25 percent of discarded electronics (think computers and TVs) were collected for recycling, and only eight percent of cell phones were recycled. That is a lot of usable material put into the waste stream that could be kept out of landfills and used to reduce manufacturing costs and materials. Green your tech use with responsible electronics recycling.

Benefits of Recycling Cell Phones

People want the latest cell phones and accessories, and rapid technological advances create a lot of used devices. Recycling used and unusable cell phones keeps them out of landfills and recovers valuable materials for use in manufacturing. Precious metals including copper, silver, palladium and gold are all recoverable from used cell phones more easily than mining raw metals. The plastics are recyclable as well. There’s a secondary market for used models in working condition, and refurbished cell phones help people in need who can’t afford the newest models.

To slow the rate people need to update phones, Samsung’s Firmware Over the Air — FOTA — works by continuously updating smartphones like the Galaxy S7 edge with the pace of the changing digital world. This way, you don’t have to go out and buy the latest tech, it’ll be downloaded directly to your existing device.

Consider Re-Use and Recycling Options

Before discarding any electronic equipment, research the re-use programs and recycling options in your area. Some programs match usable electronics with nonprofit organizations that can use them or recondition them into usable form. Many schools, municipalities and other organizations earn money with recycling programs that take discarded items. Some, like VetTech.US, use recycling services to put people to work.

Responsible Recycling

You can feel good about getting your used electronics and computer equipment to a recycler instead of the landfill. But do you know what the recycler does with the materials? The National Resources Defense Council warns that many recyclers simply ship their hauls to developing countries for processing, which is unregulated and a burden on the environment. Basel Action Network reports that almost 80 percent of e-waste goes to Asia (mostly China), polluting the environment and exposing workers to toxic conditions.

E-Stewards is a project of the Basel Action Network that strives to keep the toxic materials in electronics out of the environment through certification of safe recycling processes, information and advocacy. The 1989 Basel Convention—the international treaty designed to control trade in hazardous waste from richer to poorer countries—adopted a full ban on exports from rich to poorer countries in 1995, but the U.S. hasn’t ratified it and Canada hasn’t properly implemented it.

Take one extra step when recycling electronics and look for certified recyclers who use safe recycling technologies and protect workers during their processes. The e-Stewards certification is supported by the environmental community and provides a globally responsible way to recycle electronics.