Recycling Electronics Is Getting Easier

In my March 30, 2008 blog post, I discussed the issues and methods of recycling electronics.

As more retail stores, equipment manufacturers, and local governments open or expand their recycling programs, it is getting easier for consumers to recycle computers, televisions, media players and cell phones.

In the June 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, they answer the question "Why recycle?" by explaining,

"The cathode-ray tube in old-style TVs and computer monitors contains 4 to 8 pounds of lead, a neurotoxin. Cell phones and other electronic gadgets can contain mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and brominated flame retardants. Those toxins can leach from landfills into groundwater."

Read the full article.

We had an old 19" standard-definition, non-HD-ready CRT television that we no longer needed and could not find a friend or neighbor who wanted it. The TV worked fine, but even selling it on Craigslist was more problem than it was worth. We decided to recycle it. Houston has recycling centers that accept glass, electronics, motor oil, and paints. We went to the closest center and dropped off the television with the workers. We explained it was a functional television, so in case they or someone else wanted it, they were welcome to have it.

If you have an old cell phone, check with your local women's shelters or other charities to see if they accept cell phones for their clients. (Some cell phone or office supply stores collect cell phones for this purpose.)

Even scratched or defective CDs can have a new life as the face of a clock, or as reflective hangers to scare birds away from your fruit trees.

If you are recycling a computer that still has its hard drive, be sure to not only delete everything on the computer, but also to reformat the drive. If you can remove and (safely) damage or magnetize the drive, you can prevent anyone from finding sensitive information you may have had on the computer when you were using it.

Recycling keeps dangerous chemicals out of our soil, our water, and our bodies.

Organize Your Media for 2008!

Do you have a New Year’s resolution to organize your home or business? This is a great time to label, archive, and store your important photos, videos, audio recordings, digital presentations, and documents.

First, gather your items. Include printed photos, documents, music CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, video tapes, audio tapes, and file folders on your computer.

Sort your media. Separate them by media type, subject, date, or project.

Choose an organization and documentation system. You can use a written or typed list, spreadsheet, or database, depending upon the organizational complexity and quantity of your media. Whatever documentation style you choose, make it easy to update, as you add new items.

Delete or environmentally dispose of unneeded items. Fun ideas for old disks are suncatchers, bird repellents for fruit trees, clocks, or arranged in shadowboxes. If you have a large quantity of videotapes, contact a professional recycling company. They will securely delete the video recordings and recycle the tapes, keeping plastics and chemicals out of landfills.

Burn (Copy) your files onto CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, or external hard drive. Organize the files into folders, following your organizational system. Scan printed photos and documents and save them in the correct folders.

Label your media. Write directly on disks with a Sharpie marker, or print on printable disks. I recommend not using adhesive labels on CDs or DVDs, because the label could come off in the disk drive or player. Also, write on the media container, on the front and side that faces out from the shelf or box.

Rewind your tapes. Video and audio tapes must be stored completely rewound to prevent any slacking in the tape. Every year, go through your tapes and wind them forward (or back) completely, so they maintain their tension. Store your tapes standing up (on one of the short ends).

Store your media. A dry, cool, dark, dust free storage area is best for preserving your media.