Going Green-Is It Time to E-cyle

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

It’s called Ecycling, people, and it’s been around for a lot longer than you think! In fact, in 2003, California was the first state to pass an e-waste law.

We’re all ready to do our part to help the earth, and one of the biggest ways to do this is to make sure that we’re recycling our electronics properly. Just like plastic and paper, electronic equipment can be recycled and reused.

But did you know that dumping any electronic waste (e-waste) is not only very bad for the environment, but it’s also illegal in some areas. Because unlike a water bottle, there are noxious chemicals inside our cell phones, computer monitors, and televisions, and when these products break, we’re left with a mess on our hands. These waste products can do horrible things to our environment.

So while we’re committed to making sure those plastic cups and old newspapers go in the right bins, do any of us know which bin is equipped to handle a 200-pound T.V.?

The answer? No bin. That’s because e-waste has to be disposed of in a specific way to ensure the safety of not only our planet, but the folks who handle it.

For starters, why is it so important to recycle old electronics? Well, according to the National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER), ecycling conserves natural resources that would otherwise be used to make new electronics. So if that cell phone you have works fine, pass it along when you buy the new model. Many, if not all, cell phone companies have a recycling policy for old phones. Similarly, many computer manufacturers have programs set up to handle broken equipment. They can be refurbished and redistributed. Some of those refurbished electronics will help organizations provide much-needed electronics to low-income families, schools, and other nonprofits.

Ecycling can also help the community by creating jobs. As the demand for electronics recycling increases, new businesses will form and existing companies will grow.

And perhaps most importantly, ecycling protects public health and the environment.

There are many things to consider, however, before you start sorting your cell telephones and monitors.

While it’s preferable that you try and reuse your electronics before taking them to a recycling center, be aware that some nonprofits are unable to a handle products that are broken or outdated equipment.

Also, if you are recycling your computer, you should take steps to protect any data or personal information you stored on your hard drive. Before recycling the computer, make sure your hard drive is wiped clean. Some ecycling plants do have policies to wipe hard drives before refurbishing, but it’s always a good idea to be safe and do it yourself.

And before you go filling your trunk with old equipment, call the ecycling center you were planning on visiting to make sure they can handle the types of electronics you want to bring in. Some of them don’t have the capacity to handle these products in bulk, either.

You might be wondering what happens to your old broken computer once it’s off your hands.

Again, the NCER has the answer.

“There are currently two dominant approaches to recycling used electronic products: demanufacturing and shredding.

“Demanufacturing involves manually dismantling the electronics in order to market the recyclable raw materials/products that are found. The dismantling process yields more components that can be reused in secondary markets. Demanufacturing/dismantling is most usually done by trained technicians who use a variety of machines and hand tools.

“Shredding involves a minimal amount of manual sorting and separation of components. In the shredding process, electronics are loaded into [...] shredding equipment. The shredding process allows recyclers to recover the maximum value from the recyclable metals in used electronics.”

But where do you go? The state of California has a list on their website listing the state-approved collectors and recyclers of covered electronic waste (a partial list is below). Here in Kern County, we have quite a few but be sure to recognize the difference between an organization that simply collects the waste and one that actually recycles it. So grab those old monitors and head on down to an ecycling center near you. You’ll be doing a good thing for the environment and the community.

Get Involved in Bakersfield

In Bakersfield

Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens (BARC).

Goodwill Industries of South Central California.

Great Kern County Fair.

Kern County Waste Management Department.

Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center.

Ridgecrest

Desert Area Resource and Training.

Indian Wells Valley Community Foundation.

Shafter

The City of Shafter.

Article appeared in our 26-4 Issue - October 2009