Junk removal might be an easy job if you call a company to pick up your trash. But, wait a minute!
Spare a thought for the electronics that you are planning to chuck out!
About 20-50 million tons of e-waste is disposed of each year globally, and it accounts for 70% of the toxic waste in landfills.
These comprise a ton of heavy metals, toxic emissions and take a long time to decompose in the landfill! Wouldn’t it be better to just recycle them?
So, if you are searching for “electronic junk removal near me services”, we’re here for you! But first, find out how to recycle your electronic waste.
What is E-waste?
Simply put, e-waste is electronic waste. Remember how you love to buy the latest phones, laptops or other electronic devices like iPods and personal assistants? What happens when the model gets old and you replace it?
Well, that model you don’t want to play with anymore turns into e-waste.
These items are outdated and comprise of computer equipment, stereos, televisions, and mobile phones no longer operational or used. A large part of e-waste goes into landfills or is taken apart in developing countries by hand. However, if you’ve got some e-waste, we’re here to take care of your junk removal in San Diego!
What Constitutes of E-Waste?
A large part of junk removal is e-waste. TVs, computers, laptops, cell phones, refrigerators and other gadgets like sound systems constitute e-waste. Any discarded consumer goods that come under the category of electronics is e-waste; however, computers, laptops seem to be the more popular ones.
Why is Electronic Recycling Important?
Only about 20% of the world’s electronic waste is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills.
This is probably the worst form of pollution the land has to put up with because the trash doesn’t degrade with time. Deadly poisons leak into the environment or the water table, causing untold irreversible damage to the ecosystem. Opt for a commercial junk removal company if you don’t want to contribute to this mess!
Still not convinced why you need to start e-waste recycling? Here are some solid reasons to get you started!
• Electronics Ooze Toxic Materials
Yup, that’s true!
All the swanky TVs, computers, and cellphones have high amounts of toxic elements that make up their frame. What are some of these metals? Cadmium, lead, mercury, and chromium are known as heavy metals and are quite dangerous to the environment.
If they enter the water system, well, be prepared for slow poisoning.
Call up a junk removal service to see what can be done to dispose of these items safely!
• It happens to be a rich source of raw materials
There happens to be gold and silver in the electric circuits that you so casually throw out! Globally only around 10-15% of the gold is ever recycled. The rest just ends up in the landfill.
The United Nations seems to think that electronic products contain deposits of about 40 to 50 times more precious minerals than the ore sources themselves!
• Solid waste management
Electronic recycling is vital because there are so many electronic goods out there!
Somewhere around 7 billion cell phones exist in the world today! Do you see it now?
With products having such a short life span, it’s quite easy to see that we are churning out solid wastes without any cap on the numbers.
• International movement of hazardous waste
There is, unfortunately, a lot of movement of electronic waste to developing countries where it has to be recycled. Cheap labor and an easy way of doing away with e-garbage is creating a problem globally. Workers from these countries are at risk due to handling toxic residue of electronics.
How to Recycle E-Waste?
Now that you’ve become conscious of the trouble caused by e-waste, time to find out what you can do to eliminate it or go a step further, recycle it! Here are some nifty ways –
- Do not throw your e-waste into the trash, even if it does belong there.
While some states may think it is legal to put your computers, remotes, phones, iPads in the trash, those toxic items do not belong in there as they release chlorinated solvents, brominated flame retardants, PVC and lead. Some serious stuff you don’t want to hurt Mother Nature with! Opt for a professional junk removal service instead.
- Try to donate your e-waste to an organization that will send them elsewhere if fully functional.
After all, not everyone wants the latest model of every gadget out there. Some are content with a device that will do the bare minimum. Organizations like the National Cristina Foundation or the World Computer Exchange are waiting for goods like yours to pass on to others!
Psst! A junk removal service can also help you with the safe donation of e-waste!
- Find an e-steward!
An e-steward is a person or an organization that is responsible for sending out e-waste of good quality to developing countries. However, not all e-stewards do that. Some of them also refurbish electronics like computers, TVs and cell phones before finding them new homes.
- Try the manufacturer’s takeback program.
Most manufacturers are willing to take back their products and help put them through the recycling process rather than letting them enter the landfill. Acer, Apple, Asus are some of the names you can count on to take back their products.
- If not the manufacturers themselves, try the retailers next!
Several retailers will be willing to go the extra mile for you in the disposal of e-waste, and we are highly appreciative of their efforts. Staples is a famous name in this endeavor. They have a partnership with HP that takes back computers. However, no TVs or stereos, please!
Also, we’ve heard Staples works with a recycler that’s got the highest e-steward standards in town. Best Buy also has a great takeback situation you can check out!
However, when you recycle your electronics, do not forget this very vital tip!
Erase all the data that you’ve stored on it as you don’t want your precious memories to be shared with strangers!
Once again, if you’re looking for “home junk removal near me” options, contact us at Junk Junkys to help you dispose of your e-waste in a timely and responsible manner!
Make residential junk removal that much safer!