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How to recycle computers, phones and electronics

By Karen Henke

Discarded ElectronicsTechnology brings information and convenience to our doorsteps. Unfortunately when it’s time for an upgrade we’re left with a pile of e-waste. Computers, TV’s and cell phones contain hazardous components and should not be sent to the landfill. Try these recycling options instead.

For TV & Computer:
Earth 911 is an excellent national resource for recycling computers and a wide range of other items. Simply enter your zip code and the item you want to recycle.

Computer Renaissance has a buy/sell or trade policy for computers.

National Cristina Foundation accepts computer donations in all 50 states. It then matches the donation to area schools or non-profits. The goal is to help people with disabilities, youth at risk and the economically disadvantaged.

For Cell phones:
Best Buy provides drop boxes for e-waste in their entryways. They also take inkjet cartridges & rechargeable batteries.

The Call2Recycle program provides lists of drop off locations. Here are a few: Office Depot, Radio Shack and Target.

Some manufacturers take back used phones. Here are three that do: Kyocera, Motorola & Nokia.

Posted August 1, 2007, filed in Clutter Control Products, Where to give it away, Less is More, Clutter Hacks



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34 Comments

From Veggiemomof2, August 2 2007

Don't forget to call your local women's shelter! They take working cell phones for battered women to have a lifeline in case of need. I love doing this because it's less clutter for me & I'm helping someone in need!

From Dawn, August 3 2007

This is good information. We have a bunch of things like this in our "messy room" that I am going to start cleaning out next week. It's good to know where to take that kind of stuff instead of just throwing it away.

From Wendy Bales, August 8 2007

Also, remember that one man's trash is another man's treasure! Join your local group at Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/) or the ReUseIt Network (http://www.reuseitnetwork.org/). You can then post your miscellaneous items that you would like to give away (functioning or not) and see if someone can use it. I have been amazed to see what other people are excited to reuse! It is so nice to give these items a second life!

From Wendy Bales, August 8 2007

I forgot to mention that Hewlett Packard will provide customers with postage paid envelopes to recycle their used inkjet cartridges. See http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/recycle/index.html to order envelopes.

From Susan, August 9 2007

Here's another tip which is great for animal lovers who inherit fur coats!
You can donate them to the Humane Society to be used as bedding for injured wildlife.

http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/spring_cleaning_donate_fur_garments_to_wildlife_in_need.html

From Karen Henke, August 9 2007

I love the idea of sending old cell phones to a women's shelter. I talked to a Sprint rep and she said that even without a service plan, if the phone is kept charged, you'll always be able to make a 911 call.

As Wendy said Freecycle is a great resource (for more than just electronics).

Here are a few more options for getting rid of cartridges:

The post office offers free plastic envelopes that are preaddressed and include prepaid postage. Just slip the cartridge in the bag and drop it in the mailbox.

Office Max will exchange one ream of recycled paper for each Dell, HP or Lexmark cartridge you bring in.

Office Depot will take Konica Minolta toner cartridges and give a $3. store credit to anyone with a service contract.
Refill your cartridges up to four times (unless the warranty advises against it .)
Staples and Dell are two companies that will refill them. It saves up to 90% of the cost of new.

From Karen Henke, August 21 2007

I just read this in Hints from Heloise:

Call to Protect www.wirelessfoundation.org is a non-profit organization which refurbishes phones and donates them to survivors of domestic violence. The refurbished phones can only call 911 or domestic violence shelters.

From Gary, July 5 2008

What an excellent article. Thanks Karen for providing the various contacts for recycling!

Gary's last blog post..Where are the Blu-ray Digital Camcorders?

From Nokia Tube, September 22 2008

Thanks for the heads up on recycling especially the cell phones. I never knew that. Thanks a lot.

Nokia Tube's last blog post..Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

From Computer Repairs Blackpool, September 28 2008

Great post and great links. It's so essential to deal with our waste in a more responsible manner.

From Cheap Mobiles, January 23 2009

For UK readers - Vodafone will take your own mobiles off you, recycle them and donate money to charity for every one you hand in. Now go and hunt down that old handset stuck at the back of your drawer… ;-)

From ray, March 11 2009

To few people recycle there old gadgets, fortunately it is becoming easier as more place recycle

The Recycling Appeal UK collects mobile phones, PDAs and printer cartridges
http://www.recyclingappeal.com/

From Sofft Shoes, April 10 2009

This is nice information. We have a group of things like this in our "messy room" that I am going to start clear out next week. It's very nice to know where to bring that kind of stuff instead of just throwing it away.

From Ted@Gaming Mouse, July 3 2009

I usually keep old computers cus I'm weird like that, and prefer to use them for random stuff. But the other tips for recycling are very helpful, thanks! (I actually have an old tv sitting in my basement that I wasn't sure what to do with, heh).

From Body corporate, October 21 2009

A very useful article…There are lots of things at home that can be recycled. Thanks!

From Central air Conditioning Portland, October 29 2009

I usually give away old mobile phones to people who need them.

From Caroline, January 30 2010

Every man has in himself a continent of undiscovered character. Happy is he who acts as the Columbus to his own soul.

From Rich, February 2 2010

I know this is an old post, but I thought I would add one more place for cellphones: http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/

Rich's last blog post..101 in 1001 – Two More Done

From vingino, February 25 2010

Thank you for this posting. Recycling is good. Vingino!

From Iphone, April 18 2010

Nice post!Just thinking,how far the evolution for mobile phones can go?We will see!

From phones for the hard of hearing, April 19 2010

It's surprising how easy it is to find friends and family members who would like to have your old phone even ones that are several years old. My friend took one of mine to use while in the garden (she loves gardening) as she didn't want to get her normal phone dirty or damaged when she was digging, etc.

From Motile, July 17 2010

i still remember i will always threw them into trash can…..

From Jaydee, July 17 2010

everybody should do it!
lets go green.

thanks for the links.

From Battery operated TV, July 28 2010

Recycling brings small financial rewards also. Companies have realized that giving cash back for recycling will encourage people to recycling old phones and other things that can be recycled.

From kenny kings, August 27 2010

I know computer monitors make great boat anchors, LOL Just kidding Recycling is a huge must in this day and age. Good post keep up the good work and keep those recycling links coming

From Eva Wallace, August 27 2010

HA! There a lot of things I can think of that would make good boat anchors! Thanks for the comment, Kenny!

From Jonas Kinchi, September 1 2010

Awesome post! Thanks for showing me how to do this, I really appreciate this, I was looking for this everywhere.

From Eva Wallace, September 1 2010

Glad we could help, Jonas! Thanks for stopping by!

From Scott Kootman, September 24 2010

Considering the ammount of electricals we use every year its fantastic to see a lot of options for reusing and recycling these items. Even a skip hire company near me now offer full recycling including electricals, reducing your costs as there is much less landfill tax

From bijuterii argint, October 2 2010

as new type of products appear on market, there are new ways to dispose those used products.
donating to someone who would need them it's the best thing someone could do with e-trash.
if used products are just broken , then put them into a recycle trash can.

From Jamie, October 3 2010

Saving energy and the planet as a whole can only be a collective effort.

phone companies are giving recycling incentives with model upgrades or cash. as long as there is incentive people will do more recycling.

author of Samsung UN46C7000 and Samsung 55 Inch 3D TV

From One Piece Naruto, December 21 2010

hahahahahahaha… very encouraged to find this site. I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. I added a Trackback to it on my site:D

From lucyjames, February 17 2011

This is very important and post. I didn’t know about how to recycle computers, phones, electrons before. But from this post I knew it really thank you very much for sharing this thing with us.

From Bijuterii argint, June 12 2013

Wow, I really didn't know how phones and computers are recycled…thanks.

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