3 Reasons to Recycle Your Electronics, Instead of Chucking Them

Savvy “pickers” can get valuable information off your electronics

Even if you think you’ve deleted all of the personal data off your cell phone or other device, hackers who know what they’re doing can still get information that could be used to steal your identity.

A lot of recyclable materials come from electronics

As an example, for every million cell phones recycled, here are the materials that can be recovered:

• 35,000 lbs of copper
• 772 lbs of silver
• 75 lbs of gold
• 35 lbs of palladium
  
  

Many retailers will take them off your hands (and wipe them clean)

The easiest way to get rid of your electronics is to take them to a local retailer, non-profit or local municipal recycling program location. They’ll recycle your technology and make sure it doesn’t get into the wrong hands.

• Apple provides free recycling for any brand of computer. Plus, you can trade in your iPhone and get 10% off some other product trade-ins.
• Some Staples locations takes back electronics for free recycling, thanks to a partnership with Hewlett-Packard.
• Other retailers, like Best Buy, offer programs and incentives in certain provinces for recycling electronics in partnership with e-Cycle Solutions and Call2Recycle.

So next time you need a new laptop or cell phone, recycle the old one. Consider upgrading the hardware or software in your computer, instead of buying a new one. If you have to have the latest electronics, make sure you delete all of your personal information off of your old one first, then recycle it at a reputable location.