Donate or Recycle Your Electronics, But Don’t Throw it Away!
Donating and recycling your electronics is the best way to help the environment by conserving resources and natural materials. It is critical to make sure you are donating and/or recycling electronics safely and correctly.
Computers, printers and other electronics contain a variety of unsafe and toxic substances, that when discarded improperly can pose risks to our health and the environment. These products are also made from valuable resources and materials, including metals, plastics, and glass, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves our natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
Contribute your old computers and phones to groups that will fix and clean them and put them back into circulation. Even the oldest computer—something you consider the most obsolete of digital dinosaurs—can probably be used by someone.
While it’s great to recycle parts, your old and unwanted gadgets can be incredibly useful to someone else. These non-profits and programs work to refurbish and deliver cellphones and other electronics to those in need.
Call2Recycle: Call2Recycle program is a free and easy way for earth-conscious folks like yourself to get rid of your old batteries and cellphones.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: You can donate your unwanted cellphones to the NCADV, which partners with Cellular Recycler for the collection of used electronics and uses proceeds from refurbished gadgets to help stop domestic violence.
Many local non-profits would be happy to take your old computers, devices, printers and other electronics. The La Plata County Humane Society Thrift Store is one of those non-profits that would gladly take your electronics off your hands.
Another concern is the destruction of all data on any hardware you are disposing. Obviously you do not want any of your data or your customer’s data getting in the wrong hands. Think can wipe sensitive data from your hardware before you choose to donate or recycle it.
Where to Recycle Your Old Electronics?
Can you bring your electronics to any recycling facility? Before you do, you should check to see if your recycling facility has a E-Steward Certified as well as IS14001 Certified because that means they comply with e-waste recycling standards as well as being environmentally responsible. The Durango Recycling Center holds both of those certificates and that’s where Think Network Technologies recycles all of their computers, monitors, devices and other electronics. They only accept e-waste on Saturdays or if you’re a business you have to call to schedule a drop-off.
If you are a client of Think and located within city limits we will pick up your recyclables. We’ll make all the arrangements for you. Please call us at (970)247-1885 if you would like to hear our prices.
Here are some more articles and websites about recycling e-waste.
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