Expensive electronics are among the most sought-after items during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. During this season, many people upgrade their phones or switch their old televisions to newer ones, but how to recycle the old ones?
When it comes to getting rid of old electronics, such as your phone, you may wonder about the best way to do it. In this situation, recycling or donating to someone in need are both good options.
Let’s begin by focusing on phones first.
How to recycle your old phone
Chances are, you don’t immediately throw away your old phone after getting a new one. Moreover, many people do not dispose of their phones at all. While keeping an emergency phone safe in a drawer is understandable, it is wise to ensure that there is only one phone in that drawer.
When it’s time to recycle your old phone, you may wonder about the best way to do so. Unlike other electronics, you’re unlikely to give your old mobile away, as almost everyone will already have a better one.
In some stores, it is possible to trade in your old phone for a discount on a new model. However, this is usually only applicable to relatively new models that are in great condition. Even then, the offers provided are hardly convenient. For instance, a phone launched just a year ago would have its value decreased significantly, and it would be worth less than half of its original price.
When it comes to older phones, trading them in for a discount or cash is often not an option. However, these devices still contain valuable and complex materials that need to be properly recycled.
Where to bring your old mobile phone
If you have an old device that you need to dispose of, there are plenty of recycling centers that can help you out. For those residing in the United Kingdom, the website Recyclenow is a great resource to find the nearest recycling point. Meanwhile, those living in the United States can use the website Call2recycle to locate a recycling center.
Also, remember to save your data, delete personal information, and remove the phone’s battery for proper recycling.
How to recycle your old television
If your old television is still in good working condition, it’s worth considering giving it to someone who might need it. Even if it can be recycled properly, it’s still better to prevent waste in the first place. You shouldn’t have any trouble giving away a working television set for free.
If you have a broken TV that needs to be recycled, don’t worry. You might be able to leave it at the same place where you purchased a new one. Stores often help you dispose of your old television as long as you bring it to them.
It’s also easy to dispose of your old TV by taking it to a local electronics recycling center. You can find a drop-off location near you by searching online.
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How to recycle your very old television
If you own a CRT TV that is still in working condition and are doubtful about what to do with it, a few options are available. One of the best options is to consider selling or donating it. Many people still appreciate the vintage feel and aesthetic of CRT TVs, and some may even be willing to pay a premium for them. Additionally, donating your older TV to a local charity or organization can help someone who may need the means to purchase a newer TV. Doing so can help someone out and free up some space in your home.
If you have an old CRT that nobody wants, or if it’s badly damaged, you can consider recycling it. However, not all recycling centers accept tube TVs, so you should research to find one that does.
How to recycle your old computer
If you have an old computer you no longer use, you can easily get rid of it by offering it for free on any local used market. However, the success of this approach depends on the computer’s age and condition.
If your old computer is relatively new and still functional, someone will be interested in taking it off your hands. On the other hand, if your computer is outdated and no longer works properly, finding someone willing to take it may be more difficult. In this case, consider other options for disposing of your old computer, such as recycling or donating it to a local charity.
Even if your computer is no longer functional, its memory disks (hard disks and SSDs) can be wiped clean and reused in another PC.
If your PC is broken, works really poorly, or is very, very old, you might need to recycle it. Like most other electronics, you might be able to leave them in the store where you bought your replacement. And if your model is new enough, they might even give you something in exchange.
No matter if your old electronic device is small or large there are always options to recycle it. Please keep that in mind as you unwrap your latest iPhone or new TV.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of Impakter.com — In the Featured Photo: Old mobile phones. Featured Photo Credit: Eirik Solheim.
