Electronic devices have become a part of our lives, homes and offices: computers, laptops, tablets, printers, scanners, fax machines, monitors, printers, TVs, cell phones, hard drives, cords and cables, stereos, radios, etc. As old equipment gets upgraded, the question is how to responsibly dispose of the old devices. If the old equipment ends up in a landfill, toxic materials in the devices can degrade and contaminate our water table.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To protect your identity, we encourage you to first erase all personal data from your device before recycling them. After backing up your files and information, reset the device back to factory from the device settings.
These are some ways to responsibly recycle old electronics:
- 1. Donate: If the device still works, donate it to a charitable organization for resale and reuse.
- 2. Staples Partnership with HP:
https://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/sustainability-center/recycling-services/electronics/ You can recycle up to 6 devices a day at your local Staples store who has partnered with HP. Staples will accept most electronics listed at the website above (not CRT monitors, TVs, stereos). They also pay $2 to recycle printer ink and toner cartridges, if you purchase your ink from them. They have a special box for dropping off batteries.
- 3. Best Buy Recycle Program:
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, or 2 monitors for $30 each. They offer 15% off coupons for modem/routers that you recycle.
- 4. Cell Phones: https://www.ecoatm.com/ Walmart has partnered with ecoATM to take back old cell phones and give you cash. First charge your phone, back up your info and remove the memory card. Your cell phone carrier may take back your old cell phone also.
- 5. 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. - 6. CRT Monitors and TVs: As CRT devices get replaced with lighter weight flat screen monitors and TVs, there is no market for the heavy CRT devices. They are not being accepted by 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 them to 6441 Topaz Court solid waste facility in Fort Myers.
I am committed to protect your computers at an affordable price. Thank you for trusting me to keep your computers healthy. Contact us at 239-567-0104 when it is time to renew your protection software, or if you need computer and internet help. Be well.
By Linda Lindquist, April 18, 2022
