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As those of us with small businesses try to keep up with the latest gadgets,
computers and technical must-haves, we often end up with a pile of used
electronics that could fill up a pawn shop. You don’t want to throw them away,
you know you can’t toss ‘em in the dump, and so they collect dust and remain on
your “things to figure out what to do with” list.
To answer this need, a growing electronics recycling industry has developed
in the United States. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 275
million pounds of electronic equipment were recycled in 1998. In 2002,
approximately 41 million computers became outdated; and analysis by the NSC
estimates that 63 million computers became obsolete in 2005. The supply of
electronics equipment available for recycling continues to increase.
In order to help you figure out what to do with all your electronics sitting
around collecting dust, here are some ideas:
Reuse: Many outlets including schools, non-profit
organizations, and lower-income families can benefit from your equipment if it
is in good working order. Check locally for an electronics reuse center.
Donation: Many charitable organizations and training
programs repair equipment for reuse. Start by asking the charitable
organizations with which you are already familiar. They will probably be able to
help you find an appropriate outlet.
Recycling: A growing number of electronics manufacturers
offer fee-based recycling services. Also, some municipalities offer electronics
collection as part of household hazardous waste collections or special events.
Purchase Green Products: Many products are addressing the
environmental issue and are being made with fewer toxins and more recycled
content, are more energy efficient, are designed for easy upgrade or disassembly
and use less packaging. Additionally, some companies offer lease and take-back
options to help you properly dispose of your electronics.
There are countless resources online. Here are a few places that may help: http://www.earth911.org/; http://www.electronicsrecycling.org/;
http://www.epa.gov/
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