How to Responsibly Dispose of Unusable Electronics
In case you are thinking, can’t I just toss my old broken electronics into the trash? No, you cannot toss electronics in the regular trash.
In Pennsylvania, the Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA) makes it illegal to dispose of computers, laptops, monitors, peripherals (keyboards, mice, printers), and televisions in municipal waste.
Why? So here are the key reasons to recycle electronics:
Protect Human Health & the Environment: Devices like laptops and smartphones contain hazardous substances, including lead, mercury, and cadmium. Throwing them in the trash causes these chemicals to leach into groundwater and soil.
Conserve Natural Resources: Electronics are packed with valuable, finite materials like silver, gold, palladium, and copper. Recycling them reduces our reliance on environmentally destructive mining and extraction.
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Manufacturing new tech from scratch takes significantly more energy. Recycling e-waste consumes less energy overall and plays a massive role in combating climate change.
Free Up Landfill Space: E-waste is a rapidly growing fraction of global garbage. Recycling saves critical space in landfills for non-recoverable waste.
Support the Circular Economy: Recovered metals and plastics re-enter the manufacturing supply chain, creating green jobs and supporting sustainable manufacturing industries
Ready to recycle? Great! But first…
Before you drop off or mail in any devices for recycling, be sure to wipe any personal data from your hard drive. Because I am no IT expert, here are a couple articles that can help:
How to Wipe a Computer Clean of Personal Data (Consumer Reports)
How To Remove Your Personal Information Before You Get Rid of Your Computer (Federal Trade Commission)
Don’t feel like doing it yourself? Places like Best Buy can help. You can schedule an appointment with their Geek Squad to delete your data beforehand.
Start by looking for local events in your area! They are most frequent in the spring and fall months.
Electronics Recycling Events
Search “electronics recycling event near me” for free community and township eWaste events
If you have missed them, consider these great options:
Electronics, Appliances and E-Waste Recycling. Accepted Items
Donated phones are either refurbished and placed directly into the hands of homeless veterans or responsibly recycled to fund phone service. How to Donate
Cell Phones for Soldiers
How and Where to Recycle. Search Recycling Options
Their goal is to make our communities' recycling experience as seamless and accessible as possible. Schedule Pick Up
Goodwill: Reworld Electronic Waste Recycling Partnership
Reworld™ is committed to advancing zero waste initiatives and supporting sustainability goals through state-of-the-art technologies that reimagine, reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and renew. Accepted Items
Online resource to educate consumers about living green, buying green and recycling responsibly all year-round. Recycle Locator
Non-profit electronics recycler providing transitional employment, job skill training and permanent job placement to people returning from prison. They also host Local Events! Accepted Items
Recycling made easy! Accepted Items
NOTE: Staples is not responsible for any data left on the device turned in for recycling
The Battery Network is leading the charge to turn used batteries into tomorrow’s power—making safe, responsible battery recycling the easy choice for everyone. Accepted Items
For more information, check out these additional resources:
