EARTH DAY - RESPONSIBLY RECYCLE YOUR ELECTRONICS
Electronic devices have become a part of our lives, homes, and offices: computers, laptops, tablets, printers, scanners, fax machines, monitors, printers, TVs, cell phones, Alexa, Ring door bells, Video surveillance cameras, hard drives, cords and cables, stereos, radios, etc. As old equipment gets replaced with new devices, you will want to get rid of your old technology to simplify the clutter in your home. Recycling electronics is an important way to reduce and minimize the environmental impact of electronic waste that may contain hazardous materials if not disposed of properly. Proper recycling of electronics can help recover valuable resources, as well as protect our environment and water tables from toxic materials.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Before recycling your electronics, be sure to wipe any personal information (files, passwords, bookmarks, etc.) from the device and remove any batteries, which should be recycled separately. After backing up your files and information, reset the device back to factory from the device settings in order to protect your identity from being stolen.
These are some ways to responsibly recycle old electronics:
- Donate: If the device still works, donate it to a charitable organization for resale and reuse.
- Staples Recycling Programs:
https://www.staples.com/stores/recycling
You can recycle tech, ink cartridges and batteries at your local Staples store.
https://www.staples.com/deals/online-tech-recycling/BI3000730
For a fee you can order a tech recycling kit, fill the box with your devices and mail it back. Staples will accept most electronics listed on the website above (not CRT monitors, TVs, and stereos). You can even earn Staples Easy Rewards for recycling at Staples. - Best Buy Recycle :
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/services/recycling/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025
You can recycle up to 3 devices a day at Best Buy stores for free, including desktops and towers, laptops and tablets, flat screen monitors and displays, printers and scanners, cell phones, and small electronics, TV and home theater, audio devices.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/recycling/mail-in-service/pcmcat1677794343312.c?id=pcmcat1677794343312
For a fee, you can order a mail-in recycling box, fill it and return in the mail. - Cell Phones: https://www.ecoatm.com/pages/how-it-works
https://locations.ecoatm.com/
Walmart has partnered with ecoATM to take back old cell phones and give you cash. M First charge your phone, back up your info, and remove the memory card and reset your smart phone to factory. Your cell phone carrier may take back your old cell phone also. - Local eSteward Recyclers:
https://www.leegov.com/solidwaste/recycling/electronics
Approved electronics recyclers erase or destroy hard drives and memory-containing devices, then break down the devices to recover reusable or recyclable components. - CRT Monitors and TVs: As CRT devices get replaced with lighter weight flat screen monitors and TVs, there is no market for heavy CRT devices. They are not being accepted by retail / thrift stores or Goodwill. They may be placed at the curb beside your regular trash (assuming you can even lift them!) and the waste hauler will pick them up the next day with an electronics truck. You may also take unwanted electronics and chemicals to the 6441 Topaz Court solid waste facility in Fort Myers.
Other way you can reduce both your utility bill and greenhouse emissions:
- turn off lights and electronics when not using them.
- switch to energy-efficient LED light bulbs.
- use a programmable thermostat to control your home’s heating and cooling.
I am committed to protecting your computers at an affordable price. Thank you for trusting me to keep your computers healthy. Contact us at 239-567-0104 to join our Learn Computer training programs and workshops, renew your protection software, or schedule computer, printer and internet help.
Be well.
By Linda Lindquist, April 15, 2024
https://www.computerandinternethelp.com/contact-us
