The Importance of Recycling Electronics on Earth Day

Earth Day is all about celebrating this wonderful planet we call home and highlighting the importance of taking care of it. That’s why, this year we’ve decided to explore the importance of recycling your old electronics.

We’re taking a deep dive into the whys and hows to make sure you have all the tools you need to safely recycle your e-waste and protect the Earth.

Why Should I Recycle Old Electronics?

Recycling your old electronics, or e-waste, is a simple and easy way to help preserve the Earth’s natural environment. Technology is continuously expanding with a lot of people desperate to get their hands on the latest model of phone, console, or PC hardware. This leaves our landfills full of electronic devices that are of no use to anyone.

Recycling your electronics prevents the devasting impact that e-waste can have on the environment, along with creating vital recyclable materials that can be used to build new tech or other everyday items.

The Benefits of Recycling Electronics

We’ve listed all the key benefits of recycling your electronics down below.

Reduces the amount of e-waste in landfills.
Helps to cut down on CO₂ emissions.
Protects the earth’s natural resources.
Creates recyclable materials such as plastic, glass, or metal.
Stops toxic chemicals such as lead or mercury which can cause long-lasting damage to us and animals, from being absorbed into soil and water supplies.
Can make extra money from recycling your e-waste.

What Electrical Items Can I Recycle?

Don’t know what you can recycle? We’ve included a handy list below detailing all the different types of electronics that can be recycled.

Technology such as computers, laptops, tablets, radios, CD/DVD players, electronic toys and games, mobile phones, TVs, printers, and cameras.
Small appliances such as kettles and toasters.
Personal grooming tech such as hairdryers, straighteners, and electric toothbrushes.
Garden tools such as shredders and lawnmowers.
Other electronic items such as lamps, Christmas tree lights, hoovers, and torches.

Please note that any items that have a plug, utilise batteries, require charging, or feature the image of a crossed-out wheelie bin can be recycled but are considered Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). These items should not be sent to a landfill and must be safely recycled at a recycling centre. You can also find battery bins at most local supermarkets to dispose of your old batteries.

How Can You Safely Recycle Old Electronics

There are a few ways you can go about recycling your old electronics.

Via Your Council’s Recycling Scheme

Some local councils will accept small electronic items as part of your weekly recycling scheme so be sure to check your council’s website. If they are accepted, you’ll be able to find instructions online on how to safely put your items out for collection such as placing them into a small clear plastic bag which is tied to your recycling bin.

At a Dedicated Recycling Centre

Alternatively, you can take your items to a recycling centre. Here, you’ll be able to find dedicated spots to safely recycle your electronic items.

Sell it on

You can make a few extra pennies and recycle your old hardware by simply selling it. Your old one can be sold and passed on to someone who will continue to get use out of it.

Selling your old electronics is perfect, especially if they are still in working condition. It reduces the number of working hardware cluttering up landfills. What’s more, even if your item is broken, most broken electronics can be sold for parts as well.

Manufacturer Recycling Schemes

Most manufacturers will have their recycling schemes in which they will take your unwanted items. For example, Apple will take your old Lightning cables for those who are making the move over to USB-C.

Donate

Lastly, your old electronics can also be donated to those in need. Not everyone has the chance to purchase the latest phone or console. You can find charities who will accept your hardware, refurbish it, and send it on to people who need it.

A few examples of this include:

The Air Ambulance – accepts old laptops or PCs, wipes them, and resells them to help fund vital equipment for their medical teams.
Little Lives UK – accepts old electronics which are then passed on to children in need via schools, youth clubs, and local councils.
Computer Aid International – refurbishes old laptops and PCs before delivering them to educational and non-profit groups in developing countries.
Charity shops – most will accept any working electronics.

Want to learn more about what you can do with your old hardware? Check out our blog post for more!

The Importance of Energy-Efficient Hardware

We couldn’t talk about the importance of protecting our Earth, without mentioning energy-efficient hardware.

Having an energy-efficient PC doesn’t mean you compromise on achieving AAA gaming performance. It simply means your components have been fine-tuned to be more efficient and not draw as much power as your standard piece of tech. Energy-efficient components reduce the strain on your energy bill, are more environmentally friendly, and aren’t all that expensive to find.

You don’t have to spend hours searching for the perfect bit of Earth-friendly tech. We’ve picked out some of our top selections available on the Overclockers UK website. All the tech linked below has been engineered to reduce power consumption, enhance efficiency, and streamline your gaming set-up.