Reduce Your Electronic Waste This Earth Day to Celebrate the Green
Did you know that 86% of homes in BC have at least one item of obsolete or unwanted electronics at home?
As Earth Day is fast approaching, you may be starting to think about how to reduce your e-waste, remove the clutter and dispose of old electronics. Look no further - we have put together some useful tips on how to safely recycle electronics and ways you can reduce e-waste this Earth Day.
Let’s dive into them.
How to Reduce Electronic Waste This Earth Day
Reducing e-waste has many positive impacts — you make sure e-waste is kept out of Canadian landfills, resources like gold, silver, copper and palladium are recovered and can be recycled to go back into the making of new products, and e-waste is not being illegally exported or handled by irresponsible recyclers.
That’s why it is paramount to know that there are ways to recycle electronics responsibly and safely.
Bring Your Electronics to Return-It Electronics/Recycle My Electronics
Return-It Electronics/Recycle My Electronics provides British Columbians with safe and environmentally responsible ways to reuse or recycle old, obsolete, broken, and unwanted electronic devices instead of throwing them away.
Together, Return-It Electronics and Recycle My Electronics have created a robust collection system designed to provide easy access not only to consumers but also to the ICI (Institutional, Commercial and Industrial) sector.
Today, you can recycle your old electronics free of charge at more than 235 authorized collection sites found in communities spread all across BC.
Find a location near you by visiting return-it.ca/electronics/locations/.
Look For Drop-Off Events in Your Area
Did you know you can also recycle your unwanted or non-working electronics at drop-off events?
Drop-off events are free recycling events in your community dedicated to collecting unwanted electronics as well as various small appliances, textiles and other old items that can be donated or recycled.
You can look for drop-off events in your area by visiting Return-It electronics drop-off events, your municipality website, or by simply googling ‘drop-off event near me.’
So, if you have that old computer, laptop or phone lying down in your closet forever, it’s a perfect time to look for a drop-off event nearby and recycle your item free of charge.
Donate Your Old Electronics
If you have electronics that can still be reused, another great way to reduce your e-waste is to donate your item to a charity or pass it to someone else.
In our family, passing the iPhone has become an excellent tradition that not only creates a happy moment, but also makes sure electronics get another chance and don’t end up in the landfill.
If you don’t have a family member who needs a gadget, don’t worry, there are also other organizations that will accept your electronics.
For example, if you have old electronics that don’t meet your needs anymore but still work, you can donate them to the BC Technology for Learning Society (BC Tech) to help local families.
Just make sure to delete any personal information you stored on the device.
Recycle or Donate Old Electronics This Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day by recycling or donating your electronics.
By doing so, we ensure that electronics go to someone in need, are properly recycled, and don’t end up in landfill.
Visit the Return-It Electronics location to recycle your electronics today, donate your old device or look for a drop-off event in your community to reduce your e-waste this Earth Day.