The EPA estimates that 82 percent of electronics end up in landfills. Pretty bleak… but there’s hope! I'm encouraged to see things Best Buy's recycling billboard urging consumers to recycle their old electronic equipment. There's other positive signs as well—according to Earth911’s 2009 Annual Recycling Report, more people are seeking information on how to recycle their electronics. Recycling searches on the site last year were at the highest level in Earth911’s history.
The top 10 products consumers looked to recycle in 2009 using Earth911's database were:
- Computers
- Batteries
- Televisions
- Paint
- Aluminum Cans
- Used Motor Oil
- CFLs
- Glass
- Fluorescent Lamps
- Christmas Trees
Not sure what to do with your old computer? Have you checked out www.dell.com/recycle? We’ll recycle your old Dell at no charge. You can print out a free shipping label and mail it to us, or we’ll come pick it up at your home. We’ll also recycle any brand of computer at no charge when you purchase a new Dell system.
Have (gasp!) a non-Dell computer? No problem. Drop it off at one of 1,900 participating Goodwill stores or 1,500 Staples stores in the United States. They’ll recycle it for free, too. Or Dell will recycle it for you for a small fee.
For us, we just want more people to know that 1) they SHOULD recycle their old electronics, and 2) doing so is easier than they might think. We’re glad our friends over at Earth911 are around to help consumers learn about their options.