PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Stewart McGrenary, Director of Freedom-Mobiles.com discuses things to consider before you discard your old tech.
Globally, more than 20 million tons of electronic waste are disposed of each year, and this poses a significant threat to the environment. Electronic waste contains harmful materials, such as lead, mercury, chromium, and toxic fumes. These chemicals can cause a lot of damage to the environment, especially when leaked into bodies of water, soil, and air. It can affect both plants and animals. Disposing of our old gadgets and electronics properly can help us manage electronic waste efficiently.
Recycling can be an option if you don’t want to dispose of your tech products. Recycle and sell your old laptops and smartphones for cash. For instance, if you have an iPhone lying around at your home and you don’t use it anymore, you could sell it to get some cash. In today’s world, it’s not difficult to sell your mobile and make some money out of it.
Here are some valuable tips to help you with disposing and recycling your old gadgets and electronics:
Gather all the electronics that you don’t use anymore
Look around your house. There may be many gadgets and tech items that you don’t use anymore. Organise all the electronics that are lying around your home. Ensure that no one else in the house uses the gadgets you are gathering and that they hold no sentimental value. The list of electronics that you need to dispose of is quite long. It ranges from old electric guitars and game consoles to televisions, microwaves, mobile phones, and laptops. Anything that falls under the category of “electronics.”
Backup data
Your old laptop, camera, or mobile might carry essential data that you might need in the future. We would suggest that you backup all of your data in one secure place. You could even use a cloud storage service. It is pretty safe and easy to use.
Remove data
Data on your device should be removed before recycling or disposing it to ensure that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. After backing up everything you might need, you can encrypt your data and reset your device.
Calculate the value
When deciding how to dispose of your electronics, you should take into account their value. For example, if you have an old electronic device that no one will buy and no one can use, you may have to take it to a waste and recycling center. Conversely, if your device is relatively new, you can sell it and get a fair price for it. The value of your electronics will depend on the market value, age, demand, functions, and cosmetic condition of each device.
Say no to landfill
Landfills are one of the easiest and most popular ways to dispose of waste. Unfortunately, as we discussed above, this could cause a lot of damage to the environment. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that electronics contain toxic elements like lead and mercury. When these toxic chemicals are released into the environment, they could cause serious health problems. Make sure to dispose of your gadgets responsibly and adequately and avoid landfills.
Sell your tech products online
You can make a good amount of money by selling your tech products, especially those in demand, such as iPhones. You don’t even have to take your devices to a store. Selling them from your home is easy. For a list of the best mobile recyclers with a 5-star rating, visit Freedom Mobiles. An older iPhone model can be sold or recycled for cash.
Sell them yourself
Your old device can be sold if it is still in good shape and you get a decent amount of cash for it. You could post ads and let people know what you’re selling. If you’re ready to bargain a little, you should get the maximum value of your tech products through this method of recycling. However, this can be time-consuming, and you will have to meet face-to-face with potential buyers.
Trade-in
Many companies have a trade-in program or an exchange policy. It allows consumers to send in older models to get discounts, credit, or gift cards in return for purchasing a newer model. It is another method of recycling that pays.
Donate
Donating your electronics to a good cause is another disposal technique that helps reduce electronic waste. If you have an extra device lying around, you could give it to a friend, a colleague, or a family member who might need it. Or you could donate it to a needy student or an NGO as well.
Waste and recycling centers
Some of the electronics you want to dispose of might be too old for recycling, as mentioned above. However, you should still be considerate and act responsibly. You can take those electronics to a waste and recycling center in your area. Before properly disposing of the items, they will collect any reusable raw materials.
Read the latest edition of PCR’s monthly magazine below:
Like this content? Sign up for the free PCR Daily Digest email service to get the latest tech news straight to your inbox. You can also follow PCR on Twitter and Facebook.
