| Modern technology provides us with many | | | | programs varies from place to place. Some |
| conveniences, from cell phones and laptop | | | | municipalities may provide such services to area |
| computers that make our entire lives portable to | | | | residents. In some areas, annual collections are |
| energy-efficient washers and dryers that use half | | | | held once or twice a year as a means of |
| the power and time to complete their tasks. | | | | disposing of electronic waste as well as used |
| However, these new toys and gadgets leave | | | | engine oil or other waste that is harmful to the |
| behind them a wake of outdated, unwanted | | | | environment. When purchasing new appliances |
| contraptions. | | | | that are being delivered, retailers like Sears often |
| Electronic waste includes everything from empty | | | | offer free removal of the appliance that is being |
| printer ink cartridges to broken refrigerators. As | | | | replaced. Since some appliances, such as |
| people purchase new items to replace aging | | | | refrigerators, cannot be disposed of without |
| electronics or make upgrades, more electronic | | | | costly removal of hazardous substances, this |
| waste is generated. In some cases, such as | | | | saves you not only time but money as well! |
| 2009's switch from analog to digital television | | | | Other retailers, like Best Buy, also offer electronic |
| broadcasting in the United States, changes in | | | | waste recycling programs to their customers. |
| technology are so great that old equipment may | | | | There are also some good alternatives to |
| not even work at all with new systems. | | | | recycling your electronic waste. Any items that |
| There are many reasons why it is important to | | | | are in working condition can be given to friends or |
| recycle electronic waste. Much of the material | | | | donated to charities like Goodwill or the Salvation |
| used to construct electronics, including metal and | | | | Army, who rely heavily on donations. Freecycling, |
| plastic components, can be recycled into new | | | | or passing on your unwanted items to those in |
| items at a fraction of the cost and energy use | | | | need of them, is also a means of finding new |
| needed to create things from new raw materials. | | | | homes for used items. Websites like Craigslist and |
| Additionally, many electronics contain toxic | | | | Freecycle.org are good places to list any usable |
| substances that are harmful to the environment | | | | items you would like to give away. Interested |
| and could be catastrophic if leached into an area's | | | | parties can contact you to ask any questions |
| groundwater. For example, television tubes contain | | | | they may have about your items and to arrange |
| mercury, which is known to be extremely | | | | picking up their new treasures. |
| poisonous. When properly recycled, electronic | | | | Electronic waste recycling helps preserve the |
| waste is stripped of all toxins and other harmful | | | | environment by reducing the amount of toxic |
| materials, which is then properly and safely | | | | materials placed in landfills and salvaging recyclable |
| disposed of. Because of these environmental | | | | components to save energy and other resources. |
| concerns, many areas require by law that | | | | Contact your local government officials or waste |
| electronic waste be properly recycled. | | | | management companies for details on any |
| The availability of electronic waste recycling | | | | e-waste recycling programs in your area. |