Electronic recycling is important to help us keep e-waste out of landfills. If you aren’t sure what e-waste recycling is or where you can recycle e-waste we can help.
These days we all have a lot of electronics and with technology advancing quickly we have a lot of turnover for our electronics. Everything from phones to TVs are now upgraded at a rate we’ve never seen.
So what happens to all of our old devices that we are no longer using? This discarded technology, known as electronic waster or e-waste, is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Unfortunately, much of it is still ending up in our landfills. This causes serious environmental and health risks.
Why Electronic Recycling is Important
E-waste often contains hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, flame retardants, and more. When it’s not properly recycled, these toxic chemicals can leach into the soil and groundwater, harming ecosystems and risking human health.
On the flip side, electronics contain valuable materials like gold, copper, and aluminum which can be recycled and reused in new products. This not only keeps harmful chemicals out of our landfills but also can help reduce the need for mining new materials.
Recycling e-waste is good for the planet, for our health, and for our economy.
How to Recycle E-Waste Near You
No matter where you live in the United States there is likely e-waste recycling nearby. You can first check with your local city to see if they offer e-waste recycling. If not these are some national retailers that offer e-waste recycling.
Retail Drop-Off Locations
- Best Buy – Accepts TVs, computers, printers, phones, and more. They have both drop-off and mail-in options. Check out their website for more details.
- Staples – Recycles computers, monitors, keyboards, phones, batteries, and so much more. They also offer points for recycling items. You can find more details on their website.
- Amazon – Offers a mail-in program for devices like Kindles, Fire TVs, and phones. They have more details on their website.
- Gazelle- You can sell phones and some other devices back to Gazelle if they are still working. Learn more on their website.
More Resources
These sites are good places to look for more e-waste recycling options near you.
- Earth911 – Enter your zip code and the item to find nearby recycling centers.
- Call2Recycle – Specializes in rechargeable batteries and cell phones, with thousands of drop-off sites.
- e-Stewards – Locate certified recyclers committed to ethical and environmentally sound e-waste recycling.
E-Waste Recycling in Oklahoma
For those living here in Oklahoma, the state has many great options outside of the options given above. Many cities offer annual events to drop of e-waste and hazardous waste.
Check with your local city to find out if there are drop-offs or events. You can also check for locations on the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality website.
Another good resource for all kinds of recycling in Oklahoma is the Oklahoma Recycling Association. They are committed to helping bring more recycling to Oklahomans.
Oklahoma E-Waste Laws
Oklahoma has laws in place to help promote e-waste recycling and protect Oklahomans from the harm that comes from letting e-waste collect in our landfills. These laws include:
- Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act (OCERA) – Requires manufacturers to provide free recycling for computers and monitors. Many offer mail-back options or partner drop-off locations. Learn more on the Oklahoma DEQ site.
- Advanced Recycling Legislation (SB 448) – Passed in 2021, this law supports advanced recycling technology and aims to grow the state’s recycling economy. The law itself is focused on plastic recycling but will likely add more recycling options for Oklahomans in general. Learn more on Recycling Today.
What You Can Do Today to Help with the E-Waste Problem
- Find your local recycling options by using the resources in this article.
- Participate in local collection events.
- Choose retailers with established recycling programs.
- Avoid dumping electronics in the trash, even small items add up.
- Share this post with friends to help them start recycling e-waste.
By taking a few extra steps, we can reduce the environmental cost of our digital lives. E-waste isn’t just a landfill issue, it’s a community, economic, and environmental one. Together, we can turn waste into opportunity.
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