Image Source/Getty Images
READ MORE ABOUT:
Some of the big gifts this year were HDTVs, gaming consoles, GPS units and other gadgety items. But when new items enter the home, often that means old gadgets get the boot. Be sure to send them to a happy hunting ground by properly recycling them.
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition provides several excellent Consumer Guides that walk you through just how you go about finding a recycling facility for your old electronics. It can be worrisome, since you have to be careful your device is going to a responsible recycler and not someone who will ship it overseas to an unregulated and often highly toxic facility.
One of these great guides is A Consumer's Guide to Recycling Your Old TV. It explains your resources for responsible recycling, and even how you can get valuable coupons for your turned-in TV or converter box. Everything you need is summed up in this quick-glance guide. They also have a TV manufacturer report card that highlights where a manufacturer ranks in their recycling programs.
A second resource they provide is Recycling Your Electronics, which goes beyond TVs into what you need to do to ensure your old computer and other smaller gadgets are safely recycled. It outlines all the different take-back programs that different major manufacturers have, from Apple to Toshiba, as well as quick info about how to prepare your computer for recycling. More information about this can also be found on Planet Green.
Of course, the greenest thing to do is sell your old TVs and gadgets and keep them in the consumer stream. That means you'll earn some green by being green!
But if it's beyond its useful life, recycling is the next greenest thing to do with gadgets. With these great guides and the helpful information we have on Planet Green and TreeHugger, you're well on your way to combating e-waste.
Also check out this handy summary about electronics recycling at How Stuff Works.
Read more about green gadgets:
6 Ways Green Technology Saves You Money
6 Reuses for Old Video Game Controllers
Get On Board With Solar Powered GPS Systems
7 Ways to Make Your Gadgets Last
7 Ways to Make Your Cell Phone Battery Last Longer
How to Buy Used Electronics
Charge Your Gadgets with Small-Scale Renewable Energy
