In with the new, out (responsibly) with the old
If you were lucky enough to get a new gadget over the holidays or are looking to declutter your home of some old “junk” piled up in the garage, then it might be the right time to brush up on the best way to dispose of these old tech tools.
According to the not-for-profit organization DoSomething, e-waste (electronic waste) represents about 2% of America’s trash in landfills, but it equals 70% of overall toxic waste. So it’s important that we handle these seemingly harmless items correctly.
Here are a few things you should do before getting rid of your items:
- Make sure all your files on the device are backed up to either a cloud storage system or external memory drive.
- Remove all memory cards or SIM cards.
- Be sure any personal data is removed. At a minimum you’ll want to open your web browser and log out of all your accounts.
- Do a factory reset.
This New York Times article has detailed instructions on how to securely wipe your computer, phone, or tablet.
Next consider if your device is something that can be donated. Many charitable organizations, schools, and community centers may want that old laptop or monitor. Or if your item is still a fairly new model and you think it’s worth reselling, look into taking it to a secondhand retailer or posting it for sale on ebay, Facebook Marketplace and another online site. There are also many “buy nothing” groups online where you can potentially give away your item to someone in your community.
If you don’t have time to dig into donating or reselling your item, there are other ways to dispose of it that can be found on Honolulu's waste disposal site opala.gov or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These include manufacturer buyback programs, local e-waste recycling centers/events, and more.
Disposing of e-waste properly is everyone’s responsibility and helps protect our planet.