If you have a mounting inventory of electrical devices that have either broken down, stopped working or have simply become obsolete, the worst thing you can do is throw them away. Financially, they might have a book value of zero, but the materials used to build those appliances are actually quite valuable in the quickly-emerging reclamation industry.
Additionally, should any of those items wind up in a landfill, it’ll take centuries for a lot of them to decompose and return to their natural states. More plastic-based items will take almost infinitely longer. And that’s not taking into account some of the toxins in these devices that will deteriorate over time and contaminate the soil, scuttling any plans for agriculture or reforestation projects several decades into the future.
Anyone faced with a decision on what to do with all those electrical dinosaurs cluttering their surroundings should consider the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.
Reduce
It’s a no-brainer that you want to reduce that mounting pile of electronics, but also keep in mind any ideas on what purchases you’ll make to replace them. Consider how frequently you used an item that’s since become disposable. If you seldom used it, decide on whether it’s worth replacing at all. For older electronic items, especially computers, check online for any upgrades that can extend its life. Also weigh the pros and cons of replacing a printer since the trend towards paperless documents like doc and PDF files are more popular than they used to be.
You’ll save cash in the long run, not only because most of those upgrades are free, but in opting against buying a replacement. Additionally, that’s one less item to worry about getting rid of.
If it turns out that you do need to replace that computer, see if the latest functions and amenities address your needs. Also check on its energy efficiency, which will not only help reduce your utility bill, it’ll contribute to less stress on the electrical grid in your area.
Reuse
A broken-down item doesn’t necessarily mean it’s done forever. If weighing repair costs versus the price of a replacement leans towards the former, you and the environment will benefit. First, you’ll save money that otherwise would have gone towards buying a newer item, and second, that’s one piece of hardware you might have saved from a dumpster.
For electronics that might still be in working order, but have outlived its practical use, look for anyone who might find some value in those items. Any family members or friends who might be looking for something similar might benefit from such a re-gift, whether it be a flip-top cellphone or a laptop that’s no longer up to speed.
Other possibilities include reselling them to gadget tinkerers online, a mom-and-pop store that specializes in fixing and reselling old electronics or even donating them to a school, local charity or a not-for-profit group like The YEG Guild.
Recycle
Finally, if it’s an item that’s literally outlived its usefulness, avoid the landfill route by looking for a recycling centre that can take those electronics. From the centre, materials of any value, such as silicone and copper can be extracted and repurposed, while more toxic elements can be disposed of in such a manner that they’ll pose no harm to the environment. Most of these centres are city-owned and have projects dedicated to the recycling and disposal of e-waste, which not only supports the environment, but the economy as well.