Recycling electronics helps prevent them from ending up in landfills as well as other, less desirable places. Depending on where you live, what type of electronics you have and the type of contaminants they contain, you may need to recycle or dispose of your devices differently. Recycling is beneficial for all electronics regardless of the end use of its materials. Many organizations accept used electronics for recycling, but check with yours before throwing out anything. Disposing of your electronics responsibly is also important because some contain hazardous materials that could be released into the environment if not properly handled. Let’s take a look at some of the various electronic devices that we recycling or dispose of.
Laptops, PC’s, mobile phones and tablets
Laptops are made from a variety of materials. Main circuit boards and connectors are often copper or gold-plated copper and the frame can be steel or aluminium. The copper and steel in these devices can be recycled, but the gold plating will be lost in the process. Copper is a valuable resource and can be reused in other products, such as wires and cables. For more information, visit our Laptops page. The majority of computer and mobile phone batteries are made from toxic heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, cadmium and others, so they should be discarded as hazardous waste. However, single-use lithium batteries, such as those found in cameras and remote controls, can be recycled.
Printers, Scanners, TVs and monitors
Some printers and scanners contain small amounts of mercury in the fluorescent light bulbs used in the display. So, when you recycle these devices, be careful not to break the bulbs. In the U.S., fluorescent bulbs are considered hazardous waste and are not recyclable, but in other countries like the U.K., they are collected separately and recycled. For more information, visit our Printers and scanners page. The majority of TVs and monitors, regardless of the brand or model, can be recycled for their materials, including the plastics, aluminium, steel, copper and glass, though you may need to remove the stand and stand pads first.
Computer Peripherals (Mice, Keyboards, Cables etc.)
Computer peripherals such as mice, keyboards, cables and other small parts can be recycled as long as they are not broken or contaminated. Computers, printers and scanners contain many valuable materials such as copper, iron, nickel and silver, so they can be recycled, too. For more information, visit our Computer peripherals page. Computer and printer cables may contain lead, which is not hazardous unless it is broken, in which case you should handle it as you would broken glass. Cables containing lead are usually marked with the word “lead” or “pb” or “pb free” and can be recycled.
Servers, switches and workstations
Servers, switches and other computer hardware can be recycled for their materials. The majority of computer equipment is made of steel, aluminium and copper, which can be recycled. Copper is a valuable resource and can be reused in other products, such as wires and cables. For more information, visit our Computer hardware page. Computer workstations may contain small amounts of lead, so they should be disposed of as hazardous waste. However, computer boards containing lead are usually marked with the word “lead” and can be recycled. For more information, visit our Computer workstations page.
Commercial Catering Equipment and Refrigerators
Commercial catering equipment such as deep fryers, grills, ovens and stoves can be recycled for their materials, including copper, aluminium, steel, iron, stainless steel, nickel and tin. Copper is a valuable resource and can be reused in other products, such as wires and cables. Aluminium is also a valuable resource and can be reused.
Datacentre Equipment
Datacentre equipment, such as racks, cabinets, cooling units and power units, can be recycled for their materials, including copper, aluminium, steel, iron, stainless steel, nickel and tin. Copper is a valuable resource and can be reused in other products, such as wires and cables. Aluminium is also a valuable resource and can be reused.
Laboratory Equipment and scientific apparatus
Laboratory equipment, such as scales, hoods, incubators and microscopes, can be recycled for their materials, such as metal, glass and plastic. Copper, glass and plastic are all valuable resources and can be reused in other products. For more information, visit our Laboratory equipment page. Scientific apparatus such as Tesla coils may contain small amounts of mercury, so they should be disposed of as hazardous waste. However, some equipment containing mercury is marked with the word “mercury” or “Hg” and can be recycled. For more information, visit our Scientific apparatus page.
Pharmaceutical Equipment
Pharmaceutical equipment such as incubators, mixers, ovens and freezers can be recycled for their materials, including glass, metal, plastic and rubber. Copper, glass and plastic are all valuable resources and can be reused in other products. For more information, visit our Pharmaceutical equipment page.
Electronic Manufacturing Equipment
Electronic manufacturing equipment, such as furnaces, conveyors, ovens and presses, can be recycled for their materials, including copper, aluminium, iron, stainless steel and steel. Copper is a valuable resource and can be reused in other products, such as wires and cables. Aluminium is also a valuable resource and can be reused. For more information, visit our Electronic manufacturing equipment page.
Conclusion and Summary
Now you know how to recycle or dispose of all your electronic devices. For more information, visit our Electronics page. To find out more about what happens to your electronics when you recycle them, visit our How it works page.
