What Happens to your Electronics After you Recycle Them?

Electronic recycling programs have been around for several years and have been very beneficial in decreasing the amount of electronic waste that ends up in our country's landfills. These days, there are many ways that consumers can take part in recycling electronic gadgets that they are no longer using. Outdated cell phones, computers, cable boxes and other devices can be sent to special recycling facilities where the electronics are either refurbished or transformed into brand new, functional devices. This helps to greatly decrease the amount of electronic waste in the world while making good use of old products. So, after you get rid of your electronics, what happens when they are recycled?

What Happens to Electronic Waste?

Unlike other materials such as aluminum and plastic, electronics are made up of many complex parts which can make the recycling process more difficult. Electronic recycling centers will often have employees on hand who can take apart the items and separate all the individual pieces. Precious metals found inside such as copper or gold parts can be melted down for profit. Other parts may be used inside new products. Recycling electronics helps to decrease the amount of hazardous waste in our landfills. And while this process does not completely eliminate all electronics from being sent to local garbage facilities, it does greatly decrease the amount.

The Computer Recycling Process

Many computer companies offer consumer take-back programs where the manufacturer of your PC uses the parts from your old computer to create new devices. Companies such as Dell will arrange for your used PC to be picked up free of charge, and then deliver it to their facility. Computer owners can also drop off their old PCs at participating retail locations where store employees will take care of the recycling process for them. Along with breaking down the parts and recycling old computers, Dell also participates in a computer donation program with Goodwill Industries where the devices can be put to good use in schools or local libraries.

How are Cell Phones Recycled?

There are more than 130 million cell phones in the United States alone that are retired each year. That adds up to a lot of harmful toxic waste that could enter into our landfills if certain recycling and take-back programs were not around. Today many consumers have the opportunity to send their outdated cell phone to companies that provide them with a cash rebate. These take back programs will either refurbish non-working or broken cell phones to resell or use the parts to make functional phones. There are also some programs that provide working cell phones for individuals in need, or soldiers who have been deployed oversees.

There are many different ways for us to put our old electronics to good use, even if they are outdated or no longer working. To find out more about how you can recycle your old PC, cell phone, or other electronic device, you can get in contact with your local recycling center or contact the manufacturer of your device to see if they offer a recycling program to their customers. Information for this article was provided by the experts at Apple Shark who allow you to sell your iPhone 4 for cash, along with other iPhone models, and recycle any Apple product you are no longer using.