E-waste is the fastest growing municipal waste stream in Iowa and across the nation, now representing 70 percent of all toxic waste, according to Leslie Irlbeck, program and outreach manager of the Metro Waste Authority near Des Moines. So recycling your electronics seems like a great way to start the New Year.
Recycling your electronics helps ensure many valuable materials like plastic, aluminum, copper and gold do not go to waste. But just as importantly, it is also providing the important benefit of keeping some of the less desirable materials found in electronics such as mercury, lead and other heavy metals out of our natural environment.
For instance many laptops have a small fluorescent lamp in the screen that contains mercury, or use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Also, lead is present in CRT computer monitors. Circuit boards can also include mercury, lead and cadmium, as well as batteries made of mercury and mercury switches.
These materials cause harm to the environment if they are mismanaged or disposed of in improperly lined landfills, which means it is important to find a responsible recycling solution when you’re ready to get rid of your old computer equipment.
To get started first search your local community for options on recycling electronics. For instance when I googled, “recycle my computer, Cedar Falls, IA” I discovered that my local city-run recycling station takes them for a $5 fee.
Then check out these online resources:
The Metro Waste Authority in Des Moines has compiled a list of options for recycling electronics, some local to the Des Moines area and some are mail-in options, some cost you and some pay you.
You can review the quality of your local retail recycling options by checking their score on the Consumer Guide of the Electronics Takeback Coalition, with their emphasis on using recycling programs that use responsible e-Steward recyclers.
See also the earth911 Recycling Guide.
Figure the carbon emissions saved by recycling your electronics at the All Green website.
Information on computer recycling in this blog from Earth911.