Life
5 Things You Need to Know About Electronics Recycling
We're all looking for ways to contribute to our sustainable future while lessening our overall environmental impact. Recycling our electronics is a simple yet effective step we can all take to make a difference today. Canadians have recycled one million tonnes of electronics through the Recycle My Electronics program, helping to divert e-waste from Canadian landfills and prevent it from being illegally exported. There are simple ways to turn good intentions into something that has a tangible benefit for the environment. Here are some key facts you need to know about recycling your electronics:
1How You Can Make A Difference
Recent surveys have revealed that 80 percent of us have unused electronics at home. This means we have a tremendous opportunity to build on this momentum and continue to recycle our electronics in even greater numbers.
2How To Get Your Kids Involved
Our children have grown up in a world where electronics are everywhere. They connect them to their world and to the things that matter most. They’ve also grown up in a world where recycling is a natural element of their everyday lives. These two realities are tied together for them in a way that is instinctive and natural. For them, recycling electronics will be an obvious extension of their urge to do the right thing.
By helping our children understand that recycling our electronics protects our environment and our climate, we can encourage them to participate and contribute to our shared future. Get your kids to participate in every aspect of the process — from gathering electronics that are ready to recycle to accompanying them to an authorized Recycle My Electronics drop-off location.
3How To Protect Your Privacy
There are some simple steps you can take prior to recycling your electronics that will protect your privacy and give you peace of mind. Begin by ensuring you've deactivated any account services connected to your device or electronic. Back up computers to an external hard drive before wiping computers of personal information. Wireless carriers and electronics manufacturers also provide information about erasing your data on their websites and in owner's manuals. Once you drop-off your electronics to a Recycle My Electronics collection site, the materials will be safety and securely destroyed and reusable materials put back into manufacturing supply chain.
4How Resource Recovery Affects Us All
The resources inside our electronics include everything from steel and plastic to gold, silver, copper and palladium. These resources can be recycled and used over and over without losing their properties.
When we recover these resources to be used again, it lessens our dependence on mining for new resources and lessens our environmental impact. It also ensures our e-waste is diverted from landfill, where it can emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and other harmful toxins.
5How You Can Do Your Part
The Recycle My Electronics program has a network of over 2,400 drop-off locations throughout the country, including return-to-retail locations and special collection events. It's never been easier or more convenient to recycle your electronics.
To find the Recycle My Electronics drop-off location nearest you, visit recycleMYelectronics.ca.
This article is provided and sponsored by Recycle My Electronics.
