how to dispose of lcd monitors factory
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recycling problems faced by most countries comes down to the sheer volume of computer electronics that are obsolete and outdated.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.
The first thing that"s important to understand is how big of a problem electronics are. With people replacing phones every year and computers every few years, it shouldn"t come as a surprise that there are mountains of discarded electronics every year.
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.
But heavy metals like mercury, lithium, and lead don"t just seep into the soil and stop there. Over time, gravity and water wash these metals further and further down until they hit the water table.
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.
Public opinion and media attention, and through countries and states introducing legislation, have forced many manufacturers to create their own recycling program for electronic items.
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.
While most municipalities no longer run a curbside recycling program, a lot of them will have a drop-off center with an electronics recycling program.
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.
And the one thing that beats dropping off a computer monitor at a recycling program is to make sure that someone gets as much use out of it as possible.
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.
I already mentioned the services that GreenCitizen offers for a wide range of electronics. So, let"s take a closer look at the recycling program available.
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.
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.
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.
BAN has been certifying recyclers since 2006 to ensure that no electronics are exported overseas. R2 (originally R2 Solutions) has been around since 2008, and focuses more on certifying the recycling process and data destruction.
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.
It might come off as a surprise but about 98% of an LCD/monitor can be recycled to extract useful material including plastic, copper, and other metals. The plastic removed from an LCD monitor is used for manufacturing new products while the circuit boards are smelted to extract metals. The wiring in the monitor can also be stripped to extract copper and rubber. All these materials can be recycled instead of getting wasted and polluting the environment. Moreover, some LCDs and monitors can be refurbished to be used again by extending their lifecycle. Only an expert in electronic recycling can do this through a meticulous process. Trust our team at Hummingbird International to do this for you, be it commercial waste disposal or residential ewaste disposal.
Where can you recycle your old crt or lcd monitor? Crt monitor recycling and lcd monitor recycling is easy. By allowing STS Electronic Recycling, Inc., to recycle your old crt monitor or lcd monitor you are helping safeguard against electronic waste polution. A single crt monitor can contain up to six pounds of lead. Lcd monitors contain harmful contaminants such as mercury. Recycle your old or broken lcd and crt monitors.
Hard drive and hard drive data destruction are essential when recycling obsolete/unwanted computers and electronic equipment. STS Electronic Recycling, Inc., guarantees hard drive data destruction in compliance with NIST hard drive data destruction recomendations. Protecting personal/business data can save you money and safeguard against improper data destruction and potential data theft. STS Electronic Recycling offers hard drive destruction tracking and an official certificate of data destruction for clients choosing to recycle their unwanted computers and electronics. Hard drive data destruction processes exceed Department of Defense requirements.
Proper electronics recycling can be achieved with STS Electronic Recycling, Inc. It is important to use a reputable electronics recycler for disposal of out of date/obsolete computer and electronic equipment. Making the environement a priority in electronics recycling is important to STS Electronic Recycling. By practicing a no landfill policy for computers and electronics recycled at the STS Electronic Recycling, Inc., 50,000 sq. ft. facility, we insure a complete compliant recycling process.
Compliant computer, laptop and pc recycling goes further than turning over your obsolete/unwanted electronic equipment to a recycling company. At STS Electronic Recycling, Inc., we aim to create the most environmentally friendly solution for each piece of electronic equipment recieved. Recycling or disposing of your old electronic equipment and computers with STS Electronic Recycling assures the best solution for end of life electronics. Contact us at 903 589 3705 for information on recycling/disposing of your electronics.
The tech industry is an ever-evolving space, with innovations and creations that can leave you questioning the credibility of your old electronic devices.Computers, phones, and TVs produced last year that useLCD screenshave now been outvoted by the newer grade of LCD and better device models.
Considering how often you can get new electronicdevices, being responsible and smart about yourrecyclingmethods is very important. What technology can improve your wastedisposal? What happens when you want to get rid of your oldelectronic equipment? And why is it important to recycle your waste? It would be best if you answered these questions in your quest to dispose of your LCDs.
LCD recyclingis the process by whichraw materialsare collected fromLCD screens, monitors, and panels and made into new products. LCDs are flat panel display that uses liquid crystals to operate. The proper mode of wastedisposalof LCDs isrecyclingbecause of the huge amounts of toxicmaterialsthey contain. Most LCDs made before 2009 usedcold cathode fluorescent lampsfor backlighting, while those made after 2009 used Light Emitting Diode (LED). Pre-2009 LCDs are especially dangerous because they are hazardous to incinerate and dispose of.
Recycling LCDs is the only way to prevent the harmful impact of improper LCD waste disposal. Most times, LCD screens sit in landfills because they must be disposed of in a certain way. Although many states have anelectronic recycling lawthat might prevent waste disposal at landfills, when landfills cannot dispose of these screens, they either leave them to rot or ship them to places without the prohibiting laws.
There comes a time when you must say goodbye to your old television. Whether you’re disposing of a defective one or upgrading to a bigger, flatter screen, your old TV will need to go. While there are different ways to dispose of your old TV,recyclingis best.
The first thing you need to check beforerecyclingyour TV is the type. Your TV can be an HDTV, which is more recent and uses energy-efficient LED, LCD, or Plasma tech. It could also be a CRT orCathode Ray Tube, which is bulkier and uses an internal fluorescent tube.
Cathode Ray Tubes(CRTs) are more dangerous and difficult to recycle than HDTVs. This is because CRTs contain many toxic chemicals, such as Cadmium-based phosphorus and lead. To recycle most CRTs, you’ll have to separate the dangerous chemicals safely and then reuse theglasspanels present in the TV to make new TV sets.
Yes,LCD monitorsneed to be recycled. The rate at which individuals replace their television sets, computers, and smartphones yearly means there’s an avalanche of discardedelectronic wasteeach year. The impact of improper electronic waste disposal on humans and the environment is too huge to ignore.
LCD monitors are one of the most dangerouselectronic devicesto discard. They contain toxic metals such as lead that can harm humans and the environment.
When electronic waste like LCD monitors is not recycled properly, it can negatively affect the air, soil, and water, which can, in turn, cause extreme harm to human health.
You can do several things with your old LCD monitors once they are no longer useful. Some people prefer to store them in a designated store, and others throw them out. Refrain from throwing out your old LCD monitors since they are hazardous to the environment.
You might be wondering if it matters what you do with your old LCD monitor. The answer is yes.Electronic equipmentwith LCD screens has toxic materials that can harm you and the environment if disposed of inappropriately.
The first thing you can do with your old LCD monitor is to resell it. This is the best alternative if you want to avoid the disposal of your old monitor. The benefit of selling your old LCD is your sales profit. Another thing you can do with your old LCD monitor is to recycle it. Recycling your LCD is the best option for electronic waste disposal.
Lastly, you can donate your monitor. This option brings little profit, but it might be better than discarding the product carelessly. If you don’t want to dispose of the monitor, donating is the last resort after trying to sell it.
While your computers and other electronic devices contain harmfulheavy metals, they also havevaluable metalslike copper and aluminum. These metals might not fetch a good price in small amounts, but you should expect to make some profit if you have bulk numbers of CRT monitors.
Hazardous waste is any waste that contains substances that can cause potential hazards to the environment or humans.Liquid Crystal Displayhas quickly replaced Cathode Ray Tubes as the main display device used in recent years. Due to this, several billion LCDs have been produced worldwide to meet the increasing demand for LCDs. As households use and dispose of LCDs, the amount of electronic waste from LCDs has been increasing at an alarming rate.
The LCD panel containsindium,liquid crystal,and otherheavy metals.Muchresearchhas reported on the harm thesematerialscan cause, which has made many countries determine that waste from LCD panels is hazardous.
E-waste contains many harmful and precious materials that must be separated when recycling begins. Sorting these materials could expose workers to harmful chemicals and adversely affect their health. This is why having the newestrecycling robotin your facility will be advisable.
The use ofrecyclingrobots in separating and collecting electronic waste can vastly increase waste processing speed. It can also increase the speed of component materials reuse while reducing its harmful effects on your workers.
Recycling your LCDs is as important asrecyclingyour paper and plastic, if not more. The amount ofelectronic wasteappearing in the waste stream currently lying around in the world is alarming, and the sheer amount of environmental and health hazards caused by improper electronic waste disposal is concerning.
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.
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:
This way, the computer manufacturer will be completing their service and saving the computer monitor from going into a landfill – even if it’s one monitor at a time.
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.
These programs are trustworthy recycling programs because they work with acknowledged recycling companies that are dedicated to saving the environment and protecting landfills from hazardous waste.
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.
When a computer monitor is properly disposed of by a computer manufacturer or a recycling program, these harmful compounds are safely removed and responsibly disposed of so that they do not harm the environment.
Despite the flood of new technology, the lingering demise of desktop computers, and the push for making everything mobile, old computer recycling goes on.
Desktop computers - and those massive computer monitors - have been with us since the early 1970s but they didn"t become popular and more affordable until the early 1980s. That"s when we saw the Apple II, the IBM PC, and the Compaq DeskPro, among others.
While any surviving personal computers and monitors from that era are likely in tech museums, there are still a few out there. But their usability is miniscule and relatively useless today. In fact, there are generations of desktops, laptops, and tablets that are severely limited today because their compatibility is no longer sufficient.
No one knows how many computers and computer monitors from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s are still out there, but some estimates place them in the millions. Certainly there are still hundreds of thousands of them. And they make up a significant segment of electronic waste, or e-waste.
A survey at Statista showed that the desktop computer market has been declining since the mid-2000s and will continue to decline as the market is moving towards portable devices like mobile PC and laptops.
"Windows 7 is the latest operating system to reach “end-of-life,” or EOL, and become officially obsolete. This means no more updates, no more features, and no more security patches. Nothing. And it’s that last point that’s most important to you as a user, because running “dead” software can put your devices and data at risk."
So, the obvious answer is to upgrade to new equipment - desktop or otherwise - and get rid of all the old gear. There"s no point in keeping clunky, old computer and computer monitors around, right?
You can"t just throw them in the trash. That"s illegal in many places and it is hazardous to the environment. Which means that computer recycling and, more specifically, computer monitor recycling is essential.
"Electronic products are 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 that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials."
LCD monitors outsold CRT monitors for the first time in 2003 and, by 2007, LCD monitors consistently outsold CRT monitors becoming the most popular type of computer monitor. The problem is that millions of these old CRT monitors are still out there, waiting to be disposed of.
"Its improper disposal can cause breakage of glass envelope which comprises of lead. When this chemical is unleashed, this can be a potential hazard for the environment. Another harmful chemical used in making CRT monitors is barium. Now this one is water soluble and if it mixes with ground water, it can pollute our clean water reserves. Barium is known to create cardiac irregularities, damage the nervous system, and increase anxiety."
While the CRT recycling process is still labor-intensive and tedious, not to mention potentially dangerous, the only safe method for disposal is computer monitor recycling. In addition, the process for computer recycling - the CPU tower and internal hardware - can often retrieve valuable metals and other reusable materials.
According to one recycling website, the keyboard, plastic or aluminum casing, cables, CD-ROM drive, power cord, circuit board, batteries and even printer cartridges are all recyclable computer materials. In fact, there is only approximately two percent of a computer that cannot be recycled.
Whether you still have a few pieces of old computer equipment to get rid of, or you"re looking to clear out multiple workstations filled with old computer equipment that needs to be removed, we"ve got your covered.
Not only that, but we guarantee that your old computers and other electronics end up in the right place: whether that"s nonprofit for those electronics that are still functioning, or at a recycling facility to ensure your e-waste is disposed of in an eco-friendly way.
Our professional and insurede-waste removal teamwill show up on time at your home or office, and we"ll call 15 to 30 minutes before we arrive. Once we"re on-site we’ll give you a free quote based on how much room your junk takes up in our truck. You just point and we"ll haul those items into our junk removal trucks - and with no hidden fees!
Computers play a huge role in modern life. As technology continues to advance, consumers are replacing their laptops, computers, and tablets much more often.
But when it’s time to upgrade, how do you handle computer recycling or disposal? Laptops and desktop computers are made from electrical components, plastics, glass, and chemicals, that can harm the environment if not properly thrown away. Unfortunately, many waste management companies do not accept electronics with their regular trash collection. This is where 1-800-GOT-JUNK? can help!
Whether it’s a small monitor from your home or a bigger load of old computers from an office or school, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? can handle it. We’ll do all the loading, recycle the recyclables, and donate the donatables.
Did you know that many monitors, displays & screens contain chemicals that can harm our health and the environment if they’re not disposed of properly? That’s why it’s so important to make sure these items don’t just end up in the trash.
When it"s time to get rid of your old computer, you may be wondering the best way to do it. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has specific guidelines for consumer computer disposal. Ideally, old computers should be reused or donated first, recycled next, and then disposed of as a last resort.
If the computer is unusable, consider removing your hard drive and destroying it by hand or with a tool such as a hammer or drill. Ensure you are using any necessary safety precautions when destroying electronics.
As a last resort, throw your old laptop away with your garbage. However, be aware that throwing computers into local landfills is not legal in every city.
If you’re still unsure of how to get rid of your old computer, call 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. We’re happy to help make properly disposing your items easy, all you have to do is point!
Recycling old computers, laptops, and other personal electronic devices involves breaking the items down and reusing their recyclable materials, such as metals, plastics, and electrical components, to create new, valuable products.
Many of these materials can be melted down and reused over and over again without altering their properties. To ensure these items get properly recycled and don’t end up in the landfill, you’ll need to take these items directly to the recycling facility.
Throwing personal electronic devices such as computers, laptops, and tablets into landfills and dumps can cause irreparable harm to the environment. There’s a small chance that the e-waste you throw in the garbage will be separated and recycled properly, and an even smaller chance that someone might salvage it before it gets collected.
Once it ends up in the landfill, it may sit there for years. The toxic metals and flame retardants contained inside can slowly leak out, damaging the soil and local water supply. As the metal and plastics that form the computer do not break down naturally, the computer will continue to burden the surrounding area by taking up valuable space in the landfill.
The recycling facility will then use mechanical shredding and a high-tech separation device to take out the usable metals. Plastics and other materials will also be separated out and reused where possible.
Recycling e-waste helps prevent harmful materials from negatively affecting the environment. Proper computer disposal can keep old plastic and metal devices out of landfills and reduce the need to use non-renewable, raw materials to create new products. This means using less energy, less financial resources, and having less of an impact on areas that would be mined and destroyed.
Because of the potential danger leaving these materials in landfills can cause, many local dumps will not accept old computers. You may also find yourself facing fines if you put your old computers out with the trash. Skip the hassle of this by calling 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to take care of it for you!
Computers are made of a variety of components that can be reused, whole or broken, and recycled to create new products. Some of these components include power cords, motherboards, hard drives, RAM, graphic cards, keyboards, aluminum casing, and disk drives.
Computers are made of a variety of components that can be reused, whole or broken, and recycled to create new products. Some of these components include power cords, motherboards, hard drives, RAM, graphic cards, keyboards, aluminum casing, and disk drives.
Getting rid of an old computer can be harmful to the environment if not handled properly. If the device still works, here are some other useful things you can do instead of throwing it out:
Just because your computer is old, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value. There are a ton of ways to make use of your old computer - and most of them keep e-waste out of landfills.
If you have an old PC monitor that doesn’t work, you may be wondering what to do with it. Computer screens contain materials such as lead, metals, and other chemicals that can damage the environment. Therefore, they do not belong in the trash.
Computer monitor recycling is especially important because monitors contain harmful chemicals like lead, cadmium, and mercury. When monitors are crushed in landfills, these chemicals are released into the air and water, and have been linked to serious respiratory and neuropsychological disorders. Most trash haulers won’t pick up old monitors or computers for these reasons.
If you’ve got old screens, displays, or computer monitors you need to get rid of, let 1-800-GOT-JUNK? help you out! We make it easy to dispose of your unwanted monitors. Just show us what you want to get rid of and we’ll take care of the rest. We try to ensure everything gets recycled or properly disposed of, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Trash collection for the City of Columbus is managed by the Department of Public Service, Division of Refuse Collection. The City collects trash from more than 340,000 households using trucks with mechanical arms to pick up and empty collection containers.
Look up your refuse, recycling and yard waste collection days. Print custom calendars for your home and sign up for telephone, e-mail or calendar reminders.
reuse, recycle, compost or divert as much as we can.The City of Columbus to Launch Weekly Residential Recycling Collection in Summer 2023. The expanded service supports Climate Action Plan goals to achieve clean neighborhoods and a healthy environment for all residents.
Not eligible for residential recycling service? Want to try recycling an item not accepted by traditional recycling programs? No problem! There are many ways to recycle in Columbus.
Electronics donation and recycling is a great way to help conserve resources and natural materials. It is important to make sure you are donating and/or recycling electronics safely and correctly.
Electronic products are 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 that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials.
For every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.
Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins. To learn more about proper disposal of batteries.
Manufacturers and retailers offer several options to donate or recycle electronics. You can search for options on the following organizations" websites:
Computer and electronics recycling is an environmentally friendly, common sense alternative to disposal. With recycling, waste is properly managed through reuse or re-manufacturing, thereby using less energy and fewer raw materials than making new products.
Best Buy stores accept most electronics for recycling at their customer service counters, and every U.S. Best Buy store has a kiosk where you can drop off rechargeable batteries, wires, cords, cables and plastic bags. See the state-specific recycling information section on the Electronics and Appliances Recycling page to view program details for your area.
ReConnect is a partnership between Dell and Goodwill Industries International that recycles used electronics, of any brand in any condition, at more than 2,000 participating Goodwill® locations for free.
Many manufacturers also have take-back programs to facilitate the recovery and proper management of their products. Visit their websites for more information.
Note: The city of Roanoke is in the process of developing more e-Cycling options for local residents. Please check back. More details will be made available as they are finalized.
Be sure to remove all personal information from your electronic devicebefore recycling or donating it.Usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, bank account information, confidential emails, tax returns, medical records, and resumes are all frequently stored on our computers. If you do not adequately remove your personal information you may fall prey to identity theft, financial loss, and/or embarrassment.
Simply reformatting the hard drive or deleting files does not permanently erase the information stored on the drive. Data you thought you had erased can be recovered by using only a simple and free software package. There are two methods for safely removing information from hard drives--overwriting and physical destruction.
Overwriting of data means replacing previously stored data on a drive or disk with a predetermined pattern of meaningless information such as a string of 1s or 0s. This process will write a 1 or 0 on every part of the drive or disk no matter if that part of the drive contained data. The overwriting process should make at least one pass over the entire drive to reduce the chance that personal or financial data could be recovered. Additional passes will further reduce the potential for data recovery, although a single pass will defeat most software recovery attempts.
Some software packages’ installation DVDs contain disk management tools that can be used to overwrite the data on drive. In addition, the following software programs can be used to overwrite the data:
Physical destruction can be used to prevent the recovery of personal or financial information from defective or obsolete hard drives. The goal with physical destruction is to damage the hard drive disk platters. To perform physical destruction, remove the hard drive from the computer and disconnect any cables or mounting brackets. Drilling multiple holes into the hard disk platters will preclude use of the hard drive and provide reasonable protection from recovery of the data written on the drive. The hard drive can also be subjected to physical force by pounding with a large hammer that will disfigure, bend, mangle or otherwise mutilate the hard drive so it cannot be reinserted into a functioning computer. If you choose physical destruction as the method removing data, be careful and be sure to wear safety equipment such as goggles and gloves.
Best Buy stores accept most electronics for recycling at their customer service counters, and every U.S. Best Buy store has a kiosk where you can drop off rechargeable batteries, wires, cords, cables and plastic bags. See the state-specific recycling information section on the Electronics and Appliances Recycling page to view program details for your area.
Goodwill When a donation cannot be sold in a Goodwill store every effort is made to keep it out of local landfills through salvage and recycling efforts. Through the Reconnect program, a partnership with Dell, Goodwill recycles computers and computer related equipment of any brand and in any condition. Items may be dropped off at Goodwill at any time.
Be sure to remove all personal information from your electronic device before recycling or donating it.Usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, bank account information, confidential emails, tax returns, medical records, and resumes are all frequently stored on our computers. If you do not adequately remove your personal information you may fall prey to identity theft, financial loss, and/or embarrassment.
https://www.rvra.net: Roanoke Valley Resource Authority is available for residents at the drop-off center during normal operating hours (540)-857-5050.
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Municipalites will sometimes hold electronics collections for their residents. Check with your municipality for dates.Best Buy and Staples stores run a year round electronics recycling program accepting computers and various electronics - NO TVs or monitors. Items will be taken for recycling at no charge and with no purchase required. Check their websites under recycling for details.ECOvanta
Accepts computers, electronics, TV"s and monitors for FREE. PA residentsonly on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Please review E-Waste Collection at ECOvanta prior to dropping off electronics.
Accepts computers, electronics and peripherals- also offers data destruction on site. 1110 N. West End Blvd. Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-0100 Accepts all electronics and appliances for a fee. Drop-off hours: Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm. Perkasie PC Repair & Recycling 1133 N. 5th Street Perkasie, PA 18944 215-257-7727 Accepts computers and peripherals.Montco PA Residents-Text "PICKUP" to or call 757-703-3824 - A $10 doorstep convenience fee for the pickup of computer towers, laptops and other small electronics. The convenience fee will be waived if aTV, monitor, microwave, air conditioner, dehumidifier or mini refrigerator is included. Visitfor the fee to pickup small appliances.
Accepts computers and peripherals. Computer monitor"s for a fee of $15.00. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm.611 Metals 2509 Wyandotte Road Willow Grove, PA 19090 267-221-6924Accepts TVs and CRT monitors for a fee and will pay for computers and some electronics and offers hard drive shredding/wiping from computers for security.
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 4:30pm, Saturday 8am - 12pm. Closed Sunday and National holidays.1438 Easton Road Abington, PA 19001 215-800-0922 Open Monday - Friday by appointment only. Saturday 8:30am - 1pm. Closed-Sunday.Vietnam Veterans of America
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Please note: Many of the links below will take you off the TCEQ Web server. This collection is provided solely as a courtesy. Because the TCEQ has no control over the posting of material to the sites on this list, the agency cannot take responsibility for their continued validity and maintenance.
Used electronics may be considered a waste depending on how they are generated and managed. Waste rules can be found in Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), including:
Many companies sell their used electronics or send them to a site to be recycled. The recycler recovers usable parts and whole computers for resale or reuse. Leftover material is then sent to another recycler for further demanufacturing (or disassembly). In this process, used electronics become a waste when the recycler decides that the material cannot be reused, demanufactured, or recycled any further. Regulations vary depending on the type of electronics, but electronics or electronic scrap may have the potential to be classified as a waste if they are:
Some electronics, including mercury switches, circuit boards, batteries, computer monitors, televisions, laptops, cellular phones, computer mice, and smoke detectors could test “hazardous,” when determined to be a waste. Under federal and state rules, hazardous waste is subject to certain handling, recycling, and disposal requirements that can be costly. Among other benefits, sending your electronics for reuse or recycling tends to be a less expensive alternative to paying for the cost of hazardous waste disposal.
Universal Wasteis a specific type of hazardous waste that is subject to more relaxed standards of accumulation, recordkeeping, and shipping requirements than those of "normal" hazardous wastes. Batteries, fluorescent lights, and mercury-containing equipment (including thermostats) are examples of materials that, if hazardous, could qualify to be regulated as “universal waste” under the universal waste regulations found in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 273 30 TAC 335, Subchapter H Additional requirements for managing universal waste and electronic scrap can be found in the following resources:
Processed scrap metal and shredded circuit boards that are recycled are specifically excluded from solid waste regulations and therefore are not subject to hazardous waste regulations, provided that the metal and circuit boards are stored in containers and free of mercury switches, mercury relays, and nickel-cadmium and lithium batteries. The hazardous waste recycling regulations that cover scrap metal and circuit boards may be found in Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, 261.4(a)(13) and (14).
Batteries that are being reclaimed do not have to be managed as universal waste. For more information, please refer to Managing Hazardous Waste as Universal Waste.
Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are the large, bulky glass tubes in older television sets and computer monitors that are rapidly being replaced by flat-panel displays. CRTs may also be managed as universal waste.
Prior to discarding waste considered hazardous, abusiness or recycler may have to obtain an identification number with the TCEQ and the EPA if a facility generates more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month or more than 220 pounds of Non-hazardous Class 1 waste or more than 2.2 pounds of acute hazardous waste per month. Prior to disposing of electronics, a business would have to conduct a waste determination to demonstrate that the electronics were not hazardous. For more information on classifying waste, making a hazardous waste determination, and generator requirements, please see the following documents:
Household Hazardous Waste:Hazardous waste, including electronics, generated by a household is typically referred to as household hazardous waste (HHW). HHW is exempt from hazardous waste regulations. Thus, a single household that generates used electronics is not subject to the hazardous waste permitting or disposal requirements. Most HHW, including electronics, can be placed in your regular trash. However, reusing and recycling used electronics is the best way to conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impacts. For more information on HHW and collection programs, please refer to TCEQ HHW Resources.
Facilities that accept electronics from an industrial site may need to submit a Notification for Receiving and Recycling Hazardous or Industrial Waste - Form 0524 to the TCEQ’s Industrial and Hazardous Waste Section. Industrial sites in Texas are manufacturing facilities where materials are changed through processing and/or products are made for wholesale markets.
Facilities accepting electronics material from nonindustrial sources (called municipal sources, e.g. households, offices, and schools) for recycling may need to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to operate a Recycling Facility (Form 20049) to the TCEQ’s Municipal Solid Waste Section. You may submit your NOI through the mail or use the new e-permit option through the TCEQ online registration program, STEERS.
The site is owned or operated by a local government or any agency of the state or federal government. However, this exclusion does not apply if the site is a TV Recycler as defined under the Texas Recycles TVs program (per 30 TAC §328.165(6)).
The site receives more than 50 percent of its recyclable material from external customers (not affiliated with the facility); meaning, it does not pick up or deliver to its own site more than 50 percent of its recyclable material; receives the material for free (no financial compensation of any sort); and can show that the material received can be recycled in an economical manner.
The above listed items provide a general summary of the exemptions. All recycling facilities, including exempt facilities, must comply with the general requirements in 30 TAC 328.3. For additional recycling guidance, please refer to the TCEQ webpage, Recycling: Am I Regulated?
The Texas Recycles Computers and Texas Recycles TVs Programs require computer and TV manufacturers to offer opportunities for consumers to recycle these electronics. Additionally, there are requirements for electronics recyclers under these two programs. Guidance on recycler requirements and links to the rules can be found on the following webpages:
If a site’s primary activities and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code fall within certain sectors regulated by TCEQ’s Multi-Sector General Permit for Storm Water (TXR050000), it could be subject to stormwater permitting requirements. The SIC code for scrap and waste recycling facilities is 5093, which is under Sector N of the stormwater permit. However, if all industrial activities and materials are isolated from rain, snow, snowmelt, runoff by storm resistant shelters, or stored indoors, a facility may be eligible to apply for Conditional No Exposure Exclusion. For more information on obtaining a stormwater authorization, please refer to the following webpages:
Recycling operations that include grinding or shredding materials require authorizations under a permit by rule (PBR). A list of all keyword PBRs including grinding metal, soldering, or extruding plastics can be found in the Keyword Index to Permits by Rule. For more information on obtaining an air authorizations, please refer to the following webpages:
Simply reformatting the hard drive or deleting files does not permanently erase the information stored on the drive. The next person who takes possession of your computer could use a relatively simple and free software package to recover data you thought you erased. The two methods for removing information from a hard drives are overwriting and physical destruction.
Overwriting data: Replacing previously stored data on a drive or disk with a predetermined pattern of meaningless information, such as a string of 1s or 0s on every part of the drive or disk. The overwriting process should make at least one pass over the entire drive to reduce the chance that personal or financial data could be recovered. Additional passes will further reduce the potential for data recovery, although a single pass will defeat most software recovery attempts. The Microsoft Windows XP installation CD, Microsoft Windows Vista installation DVD and the Apple OS-X Installation DVD contain disk management tools that can be used to overwrite the data on drives.
Physical Destruction: Physical destruction can be used to prevent the recovery of personal or financial information from defective or obsolete hard drives. The goal with physical destruction is to damage the hard drive disk platters. To perform physical destruction, remove the hard drive from the computer and disconnect any cables or mounting brackets. Drilling multiple holes into the hard disk platters will preclude use of the hard drive and provide reasonable protection from recovery of the data written on the drive. The hard drive can also be subjected to physical force by pounding with a large hammer that will disfigure, bend, mangle or otherwise mutilate the hard drive so it cannot be reinserted into a functioning computer. If you choose physical destruction as the method for reducing the risk that your personal or financial data could be recovered, please be careful and be sure to wear safety equipment, like goggles and gloves.
Waste Management has more than 50 years of experience in handling materials the right way, and we can do the same for obsolete electronics. We’ll not only wipe the data clean, we’ll also identify parts that can be remarketed or recycled to save you and your business money.