can you throw away lcd monitors brands
When you replace your flat screen monitor with a new version, you have to figure out what to do with your old one. While it might seem tempting to just toss it in the dumpster, the chemicals and components inside the monitor are hazardous for the environment. Better to reuse or recycle instead.
E-Waste Issues Compared to the old, bulky CRT monitors of yesteryear, which contained pounds of lead, flat LCD screen monitors may seem downright eco-friendly. But the backlights in monitors manufactured before 2009 used mercury, a hazardous chemical to burn or let loose in the environment. The mercury-containing backlights were replaced in 2010 with LED lights, which aren"t toxic, but still need recycling to help companies recover some of the valuable materials inside.
What Not to Do Throwing your old monitor into the trash isn"t just wasteful and possibly dangerous, it may be illegal in your area. States and counties are cracking down on the dangerous materials released when this electronic waste, or e-waste, is tossed into landfills. Setting that old monitor out on the curb on trash day could earn you a fine.
Pay It Forward If the monitor still works well, consider donating it to a local school or charity. Women"s shelters, schools and churches could all use working computer equipment, or post an ad on Craigslist or Freecycle giving it away to whoever shows up first. Ask your friends and family if they could use a good working monitor. No sense sending it to be destroyed if it can still be use to someone.
Recycle For those monitors that have gone belly up and popped their last pixel, a recycling center is the path for you. Not every recycling center can handle e-waste, so call around to find one properly set up for old computer equipment. Search for “computer recycling” or “e-waste recycling” and your city online to find local places to take your old monitor. Some retailers and manufacturers take back old equipment for proper recycling, such as Best Buy and Dell, so check them out. In most cases you"ll have to pay a fee when you turn over your monitor, so shop around to find the best deal.
If you’re looking to recycle a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, which have been mostly phased out of the sales market at this point, it contains four to eight pounds of lead. If you have a liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen, it’s likely being backlit by small fluorescent bulbs containing mercury. Both are toxic metals that you want to keep inside the monitor.
This means it’s extra important to keep these monitors out of landfills but also treat them with care when recycling. Here are a few steps to take when preparing your monitor for recycling:
Unplug the DVI, HDMI or VGA cable from your monitor (as well as the CPU) to lighten the load and prevent tripping (for VGA, you’ll need to unscrew the ends). If the power cord can be removed, unplug that as well.
Place a towel or blanket down in the car and put the monitor face down on top. This will ensure that nothing breaks if you hit any potholes on the drive.
It’s highly unlikely that your curbside recycling program accepts computer monitors, even if it collects “scrap metal.” These screens are bulky and made up of multiple materials, so you’ll definitely want to check before putting them in the recycling bin. If your area offers bulky waste recycling, computer monitors may be accepted, but it’s a good idea to verify that they’ll be responsibly recycled.
The two most common electronics recycling certifications for North American recyclers are the Basel Action Network’s (BAN)e-Stewardsand Sustainable Electronics Recycling International’s (SERI)R2 Standard.
There are computer monitor recyclers that aren’t e-Stewards or R2 certified, but if you’re wanting to recycle with one of these certified companies, find a directory of them ate-stewards.organdsustainableelectronics.org.
Yes.Staples has been recycling computer monitorssince 2007, andBest Buy followed suitin 2008. Both stores accept both CRT and LCD screens, as well as other computer parts. Best Buy charges a fee to recycle monitors unless you happen to live in California.
As of 2017,25 (or half) of U.S. states require youto recycle some forms of electronics. Of those, 17 havebanned them from landfills. The good news is that every time a new law is passed, recycling becomes that much easier for residents in that state. You’ll likely find your city or county offers computer recycling events at least once a year (usually around Earth Day on April 22).
No, especially if you are trying to recycle a CRT monitor. The costs of breaking down these screens while responsibly removing the lead and/or mercury limits their acceptance by electronics recyclers, and many will specifically exclude monitors from their materials list.
If you can’t separate your screen from the computer processor, you should treat the entire system as a monitor for recycling. You’ll want to unplug all the components (keyboard, mouse, etc.) and find a recycler that accepts CRT monitors. This company would also accept the attached CPU.
When you have one monitor to recycle, a retailer may be most ideal. But if you have numerous screens, you should ask your office if it canplan a recycling drive. You can call an e-waste recycler to send a truck, promote the event to your neighboring businesses, and recycle all sorts of electronics at once. In many cases, the recycler will pick up your electronics at no charge if enough people participate.
Most computer monitor manufacturers are now offering take-back recycling, either by partnering with retailers like Best Buy, Goodwill or Staples, or through a mail-in program (usually only for LCD screens). You’ll want to search your manufacturer’s website for details on its specific program. None of the retailers mentioned above exclude certain brands of monitors, though.
In 2004 the state of California passed a law which requires retailers to collect an advanced recovery fee when a consumer purchases a new televisions or monitors. The fee is deposited in a fund managed by the state of California, which was created to finance recycling of unwanted electronics.
Digitunity - Connects you with local schools and non-profits with a need for used electronics. If your item still works, consider donating it to a local organization.
Most manufacturers will take back their products for free at the end-of-life.Apple:Apple offers free recycling of old computers, displays, and peripherals — cables, mice, keyboards, speakers, printers, scanners, media, hard drives, etc. — when you purchase a new Mac or monitor.
Dell: Recycle your old Dell products for free. If you buy a new Dell desktop or notebook and select the free recycling option at the time of purchase, they will recycle your old PC and monitor at no cost to you (even if it isn"t a Dell-branded product).
MP3 playersApple: Apple’s free recycling program will take back your iPod or any cell phone regardless of manufacturer or model. You can bring your old iPod to an Apple Retail Store for 10 percent off a new one.
Sony: As part of Sony"s GreenFill program, consumers can drop off cameras, phones, portable music and gaming devices, digital photo frames, electronic assessories, GPS navigation, recorders and microphones, alarm clocks and small audio, and rechargeable batteries. Find the nearest Sony Greenfill location to you.
the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This organization is committed to eradicating breast cancer as a life threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.
Dell: Recycle your old Dell products for free. If you buy a new Dell desktop or notebook and select the free recycling option at the time of purchase, they will recycle your old PC and monitor at no cost to you (even if it isn"t a Dell-branded product).
Retail Drop Off Locations:Best Buy: Every Best Buy store has free kiosks, just inside the door, for customers to drop off old cell phones, rechargeable batteries, and ink-jet cartridges at no cost. You can also trade-in select gently used electronics, including iPods, digital cameras and digital camcorders, for a Best Buy gift card by using the online estimator. Best Buy will also remove an old obsolete television or appliances at no charge from a consumers" home when a new product is purchased and is being delivered to the home by Best Buy Home Delivery or installed by Geek Squad. (Note: Delivery is free only for appliances over $500).
Staples:Staples" recycling program covers everything from desktops, laptops and printers to peripherals like keyboards, mice and speakers, no matter the brand or where the equipment was purchased. You can take equipment to a Staples customer-service desk, and it"s sent to a recycler that disassembles the equipment into its component parts. They also offer $2 in Staples Rewards toward a future purchase of ink or toner when HP, Lexmark™ or Dell cartridges are returned to their retail stores for recycling.
Office Max/Office Depot: For every qualifiedink cartridge and cell phone with battery returned to OfficeMax, customers earn a $2 reward in their MaxPerks account. Offers free recycling for cellphones, rechargeable batteries and ink & toner cartridges. Also offers three different sizes of boxes that you can load up with acceptable gadgets and drop off at any Office Depot store. They charge $5, $10 and $15 for its (small, medium, big) recycling boxes.
Sam"s Club: Sam’s Club has a Trade in and Recycle program launched in April 2008 for MP3, Printers, Monitors, digital camera, laptops, camcorders, desktop, and Game systems but not cellphones! Available only to Sam’s Club members. Has a “no export and no landfill” guarantee.
Apple:free recycling of any iPod or cellphone through prepaid mail ins. Apple also offers free recycling of old computers, displays, and peripherals — cables, mice, keyboards, speakers, printers, scanners, media, hard drives, etc. — when you purchase a new Mac or monitor.
One of the largest recycling problems faced by most countries comes down to the sheer volume of computer electronics that are obsolete and outdated. With technology advances showing no signs of slowing down, it"s no wonder that businesses and home users are constantly upgrading computer monitors.
It"s easy to say that you should be recycling old electronics because it"s the right thing to do. But it"s far more important to understand the fundamental impacts that electronics have on our world when they end up in the trash.
When e-waste like monitors isn"t properly handled at the end of its life, then exposure to the natural elements alone can cause many of the toxic materials to break down and evaporate into the air.
But even modern LCD monitors contain many different metals and chemicals that are perfectly safe when they are contained. But even small amounts of them in the open air canseriously damage animals, plants, and humans.
When monitors and other computer electronics are illegally dumped, or they end up at a landfill, then all those metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can ultimately release due to heat, cold, and moisture exposure.
These are not problems that arise suddenly, and contamination often happens over many years with a gradual accumulation of the toxins. Once there are symptoms, a lot of the damage has often been done, and people can be left with permanent health problems.
OK, now that you know that those old monitors in the garage or basement could be a health hazard and that the right thing to do is to recycle computer monitors, it"s time to go through this simple process.
If there are loose cables still attached, or the monitor is still attached to a computer, then make sure you remove all the cables first. You can recycle these as well, but it"s best to keep them separate.
You need to make sure that you"ll safely carry and transport the monitor. E-waste can easily break, and it might have already deteriorated a bit if it"s been in storage for a long time.
Now is also a good time to check for any other electronic devices like printers, scanners, and DVD players that are just taking up space and never used.
Make sure that your old computer monitors are safely placed in your trunk so that they avoid falling or rolling around. Those external plastics won"t stand up to much force, and you can quickly damage internal components that contain the heavy metals.
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, then you can bring your old e-waste to the GreenCitizen recycling facility. The company has years of experience in recycling electronic devices and offers competitive rates.
The recycling process for computers and monitors starts with carefully taking apart the electronics into their individual components. There are plenty of plastics, and then there"s the glass and multiple circuit boards.
If you look at a typical electronics circuit board, there will be a combination of plastics, copper, lead, aluminum, and even precious metals like gold.
Separating these materials requires specialized equipment that breaks them down into a pile of metals and plastic. The metals can then be further separated and recycled as raw materials for the electronics industry.
This is becoming an increasingly important part of protecting the environment. Unfortunately, all electronics from your phone to your computer monitor contain many types of metals that often come from mines in third-world countries.
These mines often operate under devastating conditions for both the environment and the people that work in them. Making sure that the majority of those metals can be recycled from devices reduces the demand for such mining operations.
While some materials in these devices can enter the cycle economy, there are others like lead glass that can"t be reused. These need to be separated and then disposed of at specialist sites using containers that make sure they are sealed indefinitely or until there"s a solution for dealing with it better.
While they might not take care of the overall breakdown of the materials, many of them do offer to take back old computer monitors, printers, hard drives, phones, and laptops for free or a nominal fee.
LGoffers a simple process where you can find a drop-off site near you or mail your monitor in at your own expense. The company accepts all electronics that they manufacture, and they partner with some of the largest recycling companies.
Dellhas created a unique approach in that they offer a drop-off and mail-in service where they accept any brand of products. Whether it"s a Dell computer or old Canon printers, if you can attach it to a computer, they will accept it.
Many major electronics stores now offer a recycling program where you can drop off computers, laptops, TVs, monitors, and anything electrical that you bought there.
Now, it used to be the case that you could recycle a monitor if you bought it at the store and had the receipt or if you were buying a new monitor. But it seems like that wasn"t enough of an incentive, and many stores now allow you to drop off several devices per day even if you didn"t buy them there.
Stapleshave a drop-off point in their stores where you can bring pretty much any old computer equipment for free. This is mainly for consumer products and other electronic devices, but it does exclude large kitchen and household appliances.
Best Buy also has a drop-off program, and this is an ideal option if you have a broken monitor and need to head to Best Buy for a new one. Simply hand over the old one as you head into the store, and you"ve saved yourself a trip.
Walmart is rolling out a new concept called the ecoATM. This will allow you to bring old electronics to a designated ATM and then turn it into cash, depending on the age and state. It"s a great way to see if you have some hidden cash sitting in your basement or garage.
This should be your first option if you have computer monitors that are relatively modern and still in working order. Many charities and Goodwill stores will happily accept electronics that could help out people with little financial means.
Reusing electronics as is without refurbishing or recycling is an ideal choice, especially since there are so many people that can"t afford the latest and greatest in modern technology.
Simply contact a local charity store or Goodwill and provide them with details about your device"s age and specifications, and they"ll quickly let you know whether they"ll accept it.
Not only will you do the right thing for the environment, but you"ll also help someone out to enjoy technology they otherwise might not be able to afford.
If you"re in the San Francisco Bay Area and have some old monitors from personal home use, then GreenCitizen offers a free drop-off service . And the process couldn"t be any easier.
You just need to fill out a form with the details of the monitor and computers before you pack them up. Then call to the drop-off point at the GreenCitizen Burlingame EcoCenter and wait for a member of the team to meet you.
They will then check your free recycling items, and they"ll weigh the fee items. All this only takes a few minutes, and you can pay straight away with the reassurance that the company will properly handle all the electronics.
Not only will GreenCitizen ensure that everything is safely recycled, but they can also provide certification of safe data destruction for any storage devices.
If you"re not within driving distance of GreenCitizen, you can still opt for ourfree and fee recycling program. What you need to do is separate the free to recycle items and place those electronic devices in a separate box.
Then weigh the fee items and fill out the mail-in recycling form. All that"s left is to pay the fee online and receive the shipping instructions. You can then use your preferred shipping company to have your old computer monitors and other equipment sent to the recycling center.
GreenCitizen has created a Green Directoryof recycling service providers around the country with an easy-to-use search function. You simply enter what you need to recycle and what your zip code is, and you"ll receive the nearest company that offers a business collection or drop-off program.
Yes, old CRT monitors can be recycled. In most cases, it"s not possible to reuse them with modern computers, but they contain toxic metals that should end up in the trash or landfill.
No, most municipalities don"t operate a curbside recycling program for your old monitor. Leaving a monitor out in the open can also further damage it, making recycling more difficult.
The penalty for not recycling old computer monitors is different from state to state and county to county. In many cases, it ranges from $50 to several hundred dollars, which should be enough incentive not to throw it in the trash.
Yes, a monitor can store data. This is typically more common with smart TVs, but some monitors also have similar functions that could store login details for streaming services. It"s important that you use a data destruction service for such devices.
The easiest way to get rid of working electronics for free is to drop them off at Goodwill or a charity store. If they are relatively new, then you may also be able to recycle them for free at a local recycling center.
You"d be surprised how many homes still have an ancient CRT monitor somewhere in the basement, and getting rid of such equipment is important to avoid any of the harmful chemicals being released.
I strongly suggest starting your recycling effort with GreenCitizen, and even if they aren"t close enough to deal with your old computer screen, laptop, or other devices, our Green Directory will be able to point you to your closest service.
Sadly, if time passes by and your computer monitor is already damaged and old, you should be thinking and planning how to dispose of computer monitors safely. There is an important reminder you must remember when you dispose of computer monitors- it adds to e-waste problems when mishandled or disposed of in a wrong and harmful way. There are hazardous materials that compose computer monitors, and knowing the effects of those dangerous components in life will convince you to be more responsible for disposing of computer monitors.
Computer monitors contribute to e-waste problems because there are toxic components and pollution risks in them. It is highly discouraged to dispose of computer monitors in trash cans since the materials in computer monitors are associated with danger. The skyrocketing amount of e-waste problems comes with the computer monitor materials like lead, cadmium, mercury, and copper leach that can cause harmful effects to the environment. The soil and water will suffer when they come in contact with any dangerous elements from computer monitors.
The computer monitor, anelectronicoutput device is quite extensive and can be easily seen once disposed of quickly. Therefore, it is easily detected once it is disposed of in the wrong way. But, before we deal with how you should clear it out of your space, here are the different types of computer monitors. It is essential to learn what kind of computer monitor you have to help identify how to dispose of computer monitors.
Computer monitors have various types based on their components and structures that make them unique from one another. As the days pass and innovation continues to grow, computer monitors also upgrade due to flexibility and convenience. Each of them has its characteristics and downsides. Thus, it is good to know how you will act on it once monitor damage occurs in your working area.
CRT monitors are the early version of computer monitors. It utilizes beam electrons to create an image and display it on the screen. Some guns shot a beam of electrons on the screen, producing red, green, and blue rays. Other colors are generated by combining these primary colors.
These monitors are lightweight and occupy less space. Flat-panel monitors also consume less power than CRT monitors. These types of monitors do not provide harmful radiations making them more effective to use. Also, these are more expensive and available in different sizes like 15", 17", 18", "19 and others. Its display is made up of two plates of glass.
Touch screen monitors are both input and output devices. It enables users to use the computer by fingers or stylus rather than a mouse and keyboard. When a finger presses the screen, it immediately directs to processing. Inputs are in the form of touching the icons on the screen.
As the technology develops, computer monitors do upgrade as well. LED monitors are flat-screen monitors which use a panel of LEDs. Numerous devices utilize LED displays such as television, mobile phones, tablets, etc. If this is the monitor type you have, you will later know the proper ways on how to dispose of computer monitors.
This new flat light-emitting display technology is more efficient, brighter, and convenient, and it is best to use when you want to see displays with better image resolution. OLED technology is also utilized in tablets and has updated versions of smartphones.
DLP or Digital Light Processing is an innovation used for displaying the image on big screens. It is made up of a digital micromirror device - a small mirror enclosed on a microchip. It projects better image quality compared to LCD technology. If you want a better display in the image, you can opt for DLP computer monitors.
TFT monitors are LCD flat panel displays which mean thin-film transistors. All pixels are managed by one to four transistors. Those LCD panels which utilize TFT technology are called active-matrix displays. These displays project higher image quality than older passive-matrix displays.
A plasma screen monitor is like hanging LCD and LED televisions. It is a thin and flat-panel, which enables it to be convenient for hanging on walls. This type of monitor has a widescreen, high contrast aspect, which effectively reduces blur videos. However, plasma screen monitors have disadvantages like screen burn-in, more power consumption, heavier than other types, and low brightness with long-time usage.
There are a huge variety and options for computer monitors, and they differ in the preparation of disposal. Nevertheless, we must thoroughly organize how to dispose of computer monitors to avoid severe problems like pollution risks in water and soil.
You might think that it is easy just to dump the old and damaged computer monitors into the garbage, but there are problematic consequences with improper disposal. The outcomes will make you and the people work harder because the effects are the e-waste problems. It is better to learn the proper disposal of computer and computer monitors to avoid the adverse aftereffect of toxic computer components. The skyrocketing e-waste dumps are hard to solve without the cooperation of all electronic device users.
Being responsible is by learning how and why there is a need to comply with safe and properelectronic devicedisposal. To prevent your old computer monitor from turning into toxic electronic waste, dispose of it in any sustainable way. Here are some easy ways to properly and safety tips on how to dispose of computer monitors:
There are no complicated steps in recycling computer monitors; thus, there is no need for too much preparation. There are basic steps to comply with how to dispose of computer monitors. You can just take away all the wires and the additional materials and components attached to the monitor. You also need to remove the power cord as well. It is better to tie it up or wrap it neatly. Whatever ways you recycle your computer monitor, you need to be careful not to break any part of the computer monitor to prevent the toxic components" leakage.
Moreover, when you recycle yourold computermonitor, you can convert it to other valuable tools in your house. Rather than being buried in a landfill or cause danger in the garbage, enhance your creativity by finding ways to make your computer monitors useful again.
If you are disposing of computer monitors because you want to use the latest model, you can donate them. Rather than breaking to dispose of computer monitors, it can still work fine, which is a loss. If your computer monitor is still in good condition, it can be accepted as a donation. Although recycling computer monitors is also a good idea, some people will genuinely be grateful for obtaining donations. Also, donating or giving away your computer monitor, someone who may find it helpful, is the greenest way to release yourself from the old computer monitor.
When you are not confident in your knowledge and skills on how to dispose of computer monitors yourself, the best option is to consult the experts. You can find the perfect electronic disposal companies that can help you deal with your computer disposal problems. Electronic waste disposal services are suitable to do the job of disposal because they are experienced in knowing the proper ways on how to dispose of computer monitors according to the safe environmental disposal andrecyclingof computer monitors.
You can solve your computer disposal problems with the help of Abtron. We provide services for our customers" convenience. Forget all the stress and hassle in computerdisposalsbecause we are the experienced experts to handle and inform people on how to dispose of computer monitors. Know that here in Abtron, we comply with the safe and environment-safety responsible disposal of any electronic devices.
Aside from our top-level disposal service, we also offer other outstanding services such as IT assets depot services, hard drive recovery, and secure data destruction. We give high value to privacy; thus, we make sure that there is no possible data leakage in our services. In Abtron, you can also access the top server and computer equipment. With the credible and competent years of service of Abtron, you are guaranteed an excellent deal. Contact us today!
Old computer monitors may seem like junk—especially the huge ones that take up more space than a microwave oven! But don’t send that useless piece of computer hardware to the curb with the rest of your trash. Computer monitors, as well as other electronic equipment, is considered hazardous waste. Computer monitors and other eWaste can be harmful if it is left in a landfill, as it contains a number of chemicals and compounds that can seep into the groundwater and soil. These harmful substances can be reintroduced into the environment or even into drinking water supplies—particularly if the computer monitor’s final resting place is in a third world country, where landfill standards are lower.
The three R’s of sustainability are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and they are prioritized in that order. While recycling may be the most convenient way to get rid of your old computer monitor, donating it to someone who may have a use for it is the greenest way to unburden yourself of the old computer hardware. Thrift stores, such as Goodwill and Salvation Army, often accept computer parts, which they either distribute to needy individuals or refurbish and sell along with complete computer systems. This is a great way for low income families to get functional computers in their homes. Check with your local church organization or senior center for computer parts drives as well.
In larger cities, organizations or municipal agencies occasionally run eWaste collection drives, where you can drop off your old computer equipment for safe disposal for a little to no fee. These are usually conducted in areas where there aren’t regular eWaste collection facilities or resources. So, if you have computer equipment and computer monitors laying around, your best bet is to keep it somewhere safe and check to see when the next eWaste collection drive is. Round up all of your old eWaste at that time and get rid of it all at once.
Many computer manufacturers, including Dell, Epson, Gateway, Apple, IBM and Hewlett Packard have their own recycling programs. In most cases, they’ll allow you to ship the item to them or drop it off at one of their locations where they’ll recycle it for free or refurbish it. Check out your computer monitor’s manufacturer’s website for information about their recycling program.
Many big box office supply and electronic stores allow you to recycle electronic equipment, including ink cartridges, hard drives, laptops and of course, monitors. Staples, Best Buy and Office Max have programs, though they may vary from store to store. At Staples, for example, you can get store credit for recycling certain items.
There are many ways to sustainably dispose of your computer monitor, some of which benefit you directly, others which benefit your neighbors and community members and all of which benefit the environment. Take time to do the right thing and donate or recycle your computer monitors.
However, you should refrain from kicking a computer monitor out of your house just like the rest of your trash because it comes under hazardous waste.
If a computer monitor is sent to a landfill, it can release harmful compounds that can penetrate into the soil and groundwater, hurting the environment.
Therefore, to properly dispose of your computer monitor and save it from forming into hazardous toxic waste, here are a few sustainable ways that you can follow:
It is very important to abide by the three Rs of sustainability. When it comes to electronic items such as computer monitors, it is very easy to reduce, reuse and recycle them.
Undoubtedly, recycling your computer monitor by sending it back to a computer manufacturer is a great way to go, but donating it to someone in need can play the role of unburdening it from yourself as well as having someone else make good use of it.
Other than this, you can also contact your local community or church organization to send in your old computer monitors and other electrical equipment as well.
These collection drives can help collect several computer equipments or other electrical waste and dispose of it carefully instead of dumping it in a local landfill and creating more toxic waste.
If you do not have any other resources or collection facilities, you should seek out an e-waste collection drive and dispose of your computer monitors the correct way.
If you do not have an e-waste collection drive going on at the moment, you should keep your computer monitors safe and sound till the collection drive comes around.
A great way to go is to collect all your electrical equipment and store it in your garage till you can dispose of it in a collection drive all at once.
These electronic stores also recycle laptops, ink cartridges, printers, hard drives, and any other computer equipment that can be recycled or refurbished.
Other stores such as Best Buy, Staples, or Office Max have their own recycling program, which makes it easy for you to dispose of your computer monitor.
While some people may not want to pay this fee just to dispose of their computer monitors, it is important to think about the bigger picture and how you would be saving the environment.
Yes, old computer monitors that get thrown out in landfills or trash cans do have toxic components such as cadmium and mercury that can harm the environment.
If you"ve recently relocated your offices, or you"ve finally decided to clear out your garage or storage shed, you may need computer monitor recycling.
That"s because it"s quite likely that you have a few old computers stashed in their somewhere. In fact, it"s possible that if you"re moving your place of business, you may have stacks of old monitors, PCs, and various other types of outdated and unusable electronics. So, what do you do with them?
And in some states it"s not even legalto dispose of much of your old computer equipment and other types of e-waste, or electronic waste, in the household garbage. Or work dumpster either, just so you know.
That includes your old batteries, too, by the way. And those old computer monitors are actually toxic. That"s right - they can contain up to eight pounds of lead in their glass tubes. Not to mention that the inside of the tubes were coated with toxic phosphorousdust.
You can possibly re-use it for some dedicated purpose unless it no longer works, of course, And if it does work, you might still be able to sell it online or donate your monitor. However, if it is really old (think pre-2005), you can dispose of it in a qualifying e-waste recycling program.
Many recycling programs have been established across North America, and they"re dedicated to making sure used monitors aren"t tossed in landfills to rot. And, some states like California, require that these devices and equipment be properly disposed of for recycling.
However, there are some things you should know about what your monitors contain, how they can hurt the environment, and how to find a reliable recycling service. Not all recycling programs are trustworthy, and it"s up to you to find one to whom you can confidently hand over your monitor.
Similar to CRT televisions, CRT monitors use the same core concept and technology. While they performed well for the time, almost everyone has switched to LCD over the years. In fact, it is now almost impossible to find and purchase a new CRT device.
Disposing of them is not simple, however, as the chemicals and components within CRT monitors are hazardous, even toxic, and must be handled and disposed of properly.
If left in a landfill, for example, these monitors slowly degrade, allowing toxic chemicals and heavy metals to enter the soil. From there, they can find their way back into the human ecosystem through plants and animals.
The most notable metal contained in CRT monitors is lead but they also contain cadmium, which is highly toxic, and small amounts of arsenic. Flame retardants used in the construction of many electronics are also highly toxic when disposed of improperly.
LCD monitors have largely replaced CRT in most homes as those dinosaurs went out of production as far back as 2007. But that doesn"t mean the LCD units aren"t detrimental to the environment when illegally dumped or thrown away in a landfill.
While LCD monitors are inherently stable and not a health hazard while being used, once they are disposed of they possess the potential for releasing hazardous material.
The international research team analyzed 362 chemicals used in LCD screens and found that nearly 100 have the potential to be toxic. These particles don"t break down quickly and have "high mobility" in the environment.
In addition, recent research has suggested that liquid crystal monomers - the synthetic chemicals that make LCDs work - contain a variety of toxic chemicals, which tests have shown can leach into the atmosphere.
Before you toss out your old monitor, you can always try to pass it along to someone else or re-purpose it for other purposes like a retro-home security monitoring station. Many programs have been established to provide used electronics to low-income families. And various online sites such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist exist to help people sell their old items.
If you have the tech knowledge, you can also revitalize old monitors for a new cause. If you have the time and patience, there are many ways you can try to extend the usable life of your monitor, as well as the potential to recoup some of its cost.
A search for "CRT monitor repurposing" can bring up hundreds of tutorials and photos of people"s creative refurbishing projects. While this hobby can be dangerous if done improperly, it can also be rewarding.
As long as a device still works, it still has value to someone. If you don"t mind holding onto it for a little while longer, try listing it online. No matter how old it is, someone might have an interest in paying you for it. Just make sure to attach a photo of it operating, or people might be suspicious.
If your monitor is broken, obsolete, or otherwise useless, however, you will be better off recycling it. This isn"t always an easy process, unfortunately, causing many people to hold onto their old CRT monitors because they aren"t sure what to do with them.
However, you have probably long ago made the switch to LCD and the good news is that there are many recycling programs accept your old LCD monitors, as well as you ancient CRT, for a small fee.
The problem for recyclers is that CRT recycling is an expensive process that is not highly profitable. So, for that reason, many recycling programs must charge a fee to accept CRT monitors and televisions.
A word of caution here: while many recycling programs do take these electronics off your hands, that doesn"t mean they"re doing the right thing with them. Some companies make their money by exporting CRT and LCD monitors to developing countries, where they are picked apart, burned, or left to rot.
What you want is a reliable, genuinely "green" and local computer monitor recycling service that will pick up your old gear for you. The good news is that there is such a service!
While you could search online for environmentally-friendly recycling program that specializes in computer monitors, hardware, and other e-waste, we have a much easier solution. Just call the pros at Junk King!
The good news is that a junk recycling service like Junk King offers far more than just genuinely green recycling processes for old computer monitors. In fact, at Junk King, we take much, much more than just monitors and other types of e-waste; we also accept things like broken-down appliances and old furniture and even used mattresses.
We take just about anything and everything except for hazardous waste. And after we pick it up and haul it away for you, your junk is sorted through, organized, and recycled, if possible. In fact, we succeed in getting up to 60 percent of everything we collect a new life elsewhere.
If you"re ready to schedule a pick-up, we’ll give you a free price estimate and a courtesy call about 15 to 30 minutes before we arrive to let you know when we’re coming. It"s junk removal made easy.
Technology is constantly evolving, bringing us new and better devices that leave us questioning what we ever thought was so great about those old ones in the first place. Last year’s mobile phones, TVs, and computers that use LCD screens are now dated by ever-improving models and a better grade of LCD – so replacing and upgrading the technology is important.
So, what should we do with these old devices and LCD hardware with a lifespan of 10-20 years that we now have lying sad and forgotten in the corner, in the attic, or out on the curb? Recycle them, of course! LCDs have their own regulations for recycling, so here are some tips on how to recycle your old LCD screens and devices.
LCDs that were manufactured before 2009 use cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) to backlight the display. These CCFL displays contain mercury, which makes them hazardous to dispose of or incinerate. Other electronic products can contain hazardous chemicals, such as heavy metals and brominated flame retardants. These materials can leak out of landfills and into groundwater, streams, etc., or can be transformed into “super toxicants” while being incinerated. Throwing away these types of devices can clearly be harmful, even today. There are still some harmful chemicals and materials inside electronic devices that will damage the environment if they aren’t disposed of properly—and many times, they aren’t.
Another big problem is that because of the turn-over rate of these electronic devices, LCD screens are just left sitting in landfills. Since they need to be disposed of in certain ways, they’re left to sit and waste away, taking up space in the landfills. Many states have laws prohibiting the disposal of electronic waste in landfills. Because of that, LCDs are likely to sit and rot, or be incinerated in large quantities. They also could be shipped off to other countries that don’t have these prohibiting laws, which is definitely not the best solution to the problem.
Many times, we get new and better gadgets before the current one even needs replacing. That old TV still works, still shows the picture clearly and there’s not a scratch on it. But this new one…well, it’s bigger. It has the Internet capabilities built right in and it can do backflips! Okay, not really, but the point is that we tend to get something new while we still have a perfectly functioning, but slightly older, model. Instead of keeping it in the attic, you can donate it or recycle it to companies and stores in your area that will take it. These places can resell it to people who don’t have the latest backflipping TV, mobile phone or tablet.
Throwing away functioning devices is wasteful when it can be used and appreciated by someone else. With cellphones, some carriers have donation boxes where you can donate your old, still working cellphone to less fortunate people and families. This is environmentally, economically and morally friendly.
One option for a truly broken product is to take it to an electronics shop or store to see if it can be refurbished. Instead of claiming a lost cause when a screen breaks, see if it can be fixed. Apple has a service where they will take your old and broken phone and use it as part of the study to help improve the next product they’re trying to create.
Since the issue was raised, there has been much research performed on the best method for recycling LCD screens. Different facilities have different ideas, practices and processes. Some of these processes include removing the hazardous waste materials from the screens/monitors; others believe in completely taking apart the device/screen piece by piece and seeing what can be resold or refurbished, then disposing of the rest in environmentally friendly ways.
Almost 98% of an LCD monitor can be recycled. All plastics are removed to be recycled into new products. Printed circuit boards can be recovered from LCD recycling and smelted to recover valuable metals, while cabling is stripped to reclaim copper and other metals.
Considering how frequently we get new electronic devices, being smart about LCD recycling can make a huge difference. General Digital encourages all of its customers to recycle their used computer monitors and televisions. Learn more about e-cycling from Maryland’s Department of the Environment, and Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection.
While you can probably throw a computer away in the trash, it isn’t really recommended. Not only is it going to be awful for the environment, but it is also going to be awful for your security too.
Computers should be taken to your local recycling center or to an electronics store that offers recycling services. Some computer manufacturers also have programs that let you mail in your computer for recycling.
We want to take a look at both of these here, as well as give you an idea about what you should be doing with your old computers as opposed to just leaving them by the side of the road for the garbage men to haul away.
Before we go any further, we do want to point out that in some places in the United States, it is 100% illegal to throw your old computers in the trash. If you do this, then you will be ‘enjoying’ some rather substantial fines.
You will probably have to look into the laws for your town or city to discover whether it is illegal to throw a computer away in the standard trash. If it is, then avoid doing it. Don’t even think about it.
Even when you ignore all the other benefits of recycling your computer, the fines are just not going to be fun. It may also result in criminal charges, which, again, is not going to be that awesome.
If it is legal to throw a computer away in the trash where you live, then the garbage men will have no problems hauling it away. However, do bear in mind that the computer is almost certainly going to end up in a landfill.
Now, the thing with your computer is that it has been made with a ton of heavy metals and other chemicals. They are brilliant for making computers, but they are not brilliant for the environment.
Once your computer has been buried in that landfill, it will start to breakdown. As it does this, it will release all of those awful chemicals and heavy metals into the surrounding environment. Once this happens, nothing will be able to grow on that land for centuries.
The heavy metals will also find their way into the local water supply. This may impact your drinking water. It will almost certainly kill off animals that rely on nearby water sources. You may have only used your computer for a couple of years, but it is going to be impacting the environment for thousands.
If you have thousands of people saying “my computer won’t harm the environment”, then suddenly you have thousands of computers buried in a landfill. That willharm the environment.
Some of these are incredibly rare resources, while others require a ton of effort to produce or extract from the ground. Thankfully, all of these metals can be reused.
Anything that cannot be recycled in a computer (and there is very little that cannot be recycled!) will be removed and thrown in the trash. Yes. This part will be ending up in the landfill. However, we promise you that this is going to do far less damage to the environment than throwing a whole computer into the landfill.
Because there are only some recycling facilities that have the ability to recycle electronics, including computers, then you may need to do a little bit of research to ensure that wherever you are taking your computer will accept it. Although, to be honest with, even if they do have the equipment there, they will know exactly where it should be sent for recycling. You can leave it with them.
Most recycling centers will gladly accept computers, as will your local dump (they will normally have recycling set-up there). This is probably going to be the quickest way to recycle your computer. They will break everything down for you, so you don’t have to worry about doing anything other than preparing your computer for recycling (see the next section)
If your computer is fairly modern, or you have a laptop, then you may find that many computer companies or electronic waste recycling companies may pay you a small amount of cash for your computer. They are really paying you for the parts so that they can be reused, or the gold removed from the circuits.
The only problem is that it is becoming harder and harder to find places that offer this sort of service. If you do, then they aren’t going to be offering anywhere near the same amount of money that they would have offered in the past.
Finally, just because the computer is useless for you doesn’t mean that it is going to be useless for somebody else. If you want to make a bit of cash, then you can always sell it secondhand. This will prevent it from ending up in a landfill, it gets reused (which is good for the environment) and you are going to be making a bit of cash when you sell it on too.
Of course, for older computers, going to your local recycling company or dump will be your best bet. Do not just leave the computer by the side of the road. There is no guarantee that it will be recycled unless there is a recycling truck that drives past your home.
While you can just take your computer to a recycling center and be done with it, this isn’t really something that we would recommend. This is because your computer will have your hard drive in it. This means that you will have a ton of personal data.
However, if you are leaving your computer by the side of the road, or you are planning to recycle by selling the computer, then you may need to do a bit of preparation.
Don’t give it away. This is the only way you can 100% guarantee that your data will be safe. Although, selling a computer without a hard drive in can be quite a tough ask.
Luckily, there is plenty of software out there that you can use to wipe the hard drive clean. You may also want to do a full reinstall of the operating system before you sell the computer.
Sure, this is going to require some extra effort on your part, but trust us, this extra effort is going to be worth it when you realize that your personal data is not at the risk of being stolen.
Under absolutely no circumstances should you be throwing a hard drive in the trash. There are people out there who go through trash cans looking for this sort of thing. They will know what to do with your hard drive if they get their hands on it.
Yes. You can recycle computer monitors in the same way that you recycle your computer. Once again, you should not be throwing these in the trash as they will end up damaging the environment.
To be honest with you, if the computer monitor is still in decent working condition, then it may actually be better to sell it, or take it to your local thrift store. This is a lot less resource-intensive than recycling the monitor.
Of course, with a monitor, you won’t have to do much in the way of preparation. All you need to do is give that monitor a decent clean before you sell it on and you should be fine.
Most computer accessories will be made mostly of plastic. Sure, there will be a small amount of metal in there which can be reused. However, the main reason why you want to be recycling computer accessories is to ensure that the plastic does not damage the environment.
You can take your computer accessories to the same place that you recycle your computer. Alternatively, you could put in the effort to take apart the accessory and put the plastic in with your normal recycling, and just take the circuit board to the local recycling facility. It is a bit of extra effort, sure. However, some people find that it is worth it.
Laptop batteries are filled with chemicals that are more harmful to the environment than any computer. While not everything in a laptop battery can be recycled, the recycling company will at least know how to handle the harmful chemicals to ensure that they are not polluting anything.
No. They will not end up anywhere near a trash can. There are special rules and regulations in place for the handling of batteries in many places throughout the United States.
In fact, if you head to your local electronics store, there is a strong chance that they will have a battery box for old batteries that you can use. If you use it, you can be certain that the batteries will be dealt with safely.
While you can throw away a computer in the trash, you shouldn’t. It benefits nobody. It does nothing more than fill up space in a landfill, damaging the environment for centuries to come.
Where possible, you should always try to recycle a computer and accessories. Sure, it does take a small amount of extra effort but, we promise you, benefitting the planet that you live on is more than worth it!
Have you ever been unsure about which items can be recycled, or which items are considered too hazardous to put in your trash bin? With our new “What Goes Where?” tool, we’ve taken the guesswork out. Simply type in the name of the item you have a question about, and information will be provided on how best to dispose of it in the District.
*Note: Collection schedules for commercial and multi-family properties with four or more units will not appear in this tool. Check with your waste service provider to find out more.
Before recycling or donating electronics, it is important that you remove all personal and/or confidential information. Simply deleting files will not remove them from your device. Free data destruction software can be found online. If you are not able to do this yourself, many retailers offer this service for a small fee, and many manufacturers provide information on how to “wipe” their devices on their websites.
Many of Indiana’s solid waste management districts offer electronics recycling programs for residents in their area and are knowledgeable about local electronics recycling options. Please contact your district for more information.
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Ames residents are not currently regulated for the disposal of e-waste; however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires businesses to treat computer monitors (CRTs) and TVs as hazardous waste.
If you"re a resident and want to get rid of your own home computers or TVs, take them to Goodwill, Mid-Iowa Computers or Best Buy, or you can still throw them away. You will need to call your garbage hauler to find out if there"s an additional charge to pick these up for you at your residence with the rest of your trash. You can also bring them to the Resource Recovery Plant; we don"t charge per item, we charge by the vehicle: $10 per carload, $25 per pickup load. Only two units per residential customer will be accepted per day at the Resource Recovery Plant.
Goodwill Industries, 3718 Lincoln Way, Ames, accepts ONLY WORKING, FLAT SCREEN TVs that are cable-ready; no console or old tube-style TVs. They will accept computer monitors (and any other computer componentssuchastower, mouse, keyboard, printers, etc.) for refurbishing/resale and recycling, at no charge.
Best Buy, 1220 S. Duff Avenue charges $25 each to recycle your old TVs (up to 32"), laptops, or monitors under 32" measured diagonally, flat panel TVs under 37" measured diagonally, and any other old electronics. However, they do not take console TVs, nor small or large appliances. Click HERE for more info.
Did you know that used electronics, such as computers, cell phones, and televisions should not be placed in the trash? These items contain potentially dangerous chemicals and heavy metals. As of July 1, 2011, the disposal of e-waste in North Carolina landfills is prohibited.
Many domestic violence prevention organizations accept cell phone donations. Working cell phones can be used to dial 911, even without an active telephone account.
Instead of placing used electronics in the trash, they should be donated for reuse or be recycled. Visit Earth 911 for a list of local companies that accept electronic donations or provide recycling options. Some retailers provide free or low cost electronics recycling. If you are making a new purchase, ask if they have a plan for your old equipment.
Recycling electronics can take some strategizing, especially for large items like projection-style TVs. Make a list of the electronics you would like to get rid of and note their age and condition. Think about whether there is sensitive data stored on your devices and determine the best method of protecting that data. Think about when you would like to get rid of the electronics and whether you will be able to transport them yourself or need to have them picked up.
If computers or other electronics are in good working condition, you may be able to donate them to a school, nonprofit or other organization. Call any organization first to make sure the equipment would be useful to them. You can also check trade-in programs to see what prices they offer for both working and non-working devices.
Before taking your electronics to a collection site or recycler, find out what they recycle, who they accept electronics from, what they charge to recycle various items, if they offer pick-up service and whether or how they destroy data.
When you are recycling a large volume of electronics, it’s a good idea to talk with at least two or three recyclers or collection sites to get a sense of your options. Recycling fees vary between sites and calling ahead can help determine the total cost of recycling your electronics.
Used computer equipment is a rapidly growing source of waste across the country. Computers contain valuable parts that we can recycle, and heavy metals that we should try to keep out of landfills. Despite this, Texas has historically had low computer recycling rates.
Once the TCEQ determines that your plan is compliant, your name will be placed on the. Your name must be on this list before anyone can sell your new computer equipment in or into Texas.
If the TCEQ finds that your notification and recovery plan does not comply with the law, they will make a reasonable effort to assist you in correcting and resubmitting the necessary information.
Please note that being on the TCEQ"s manufacturers list does not mean that your program is compliant with the law, only that your notification and recovery plan complies with the law.
The TCEQ may conduct audits and inspections of your program. The TCEQ may find your program does not comply with the law due to any of the following issues (this is not a comprehensive list):
For assistance in ensuring that your program complies with the law, please contact the Pollution Prevention and Education Section at 512-239-0010, or e-mail recycle@tceq.texas.gov.
If you own a computer with no brand name or made under a brand name that is not listed, you can check the manufacturers" Web sites to see which manufacturers will accept other brands.
Retailers can be fined up to $2,000 for each violationof this law. If you wish to sell computer equipment manufactured by a company that is not on this list, you should contact the manufacturer and ask them to get on the list.