Published on November 15, 2018, Updated on February 5, 2023

As the speed of technological innovation increases, so to does the rate at which technology becomes “old” and “obsolete.” Consumer technology especially has become increasingly disposable. What you might not know, though, is that is illegal to dispose of your electronics, including laptops and computers, by traditional methods. Here are some reasons you should turn to an electronics recycling service to dispose of your old computers and laptops, and how properly doing so can be beneficial.

First, Protect Your Data

Proper disposal of your electronics equipment starts before your laptop or computer ever leaves your house. As you migrate your digital presence from one platform to the next, it’s important to follow proper data destruction procedures to ensure your information remains safe in the disposal and recycling process. If you’re not able to protect your data by properly destroying the storage device, or you’re unable to access your laptop or computer storage device for any reason, then it’s important to identify a service provider capable of certifying the proper destruction of your information in the process of recycling your equipment.

See Donating used computers for new electronic products manufacturing

Recycling Your Computer is Safer for the Environment

We mentioned the legality of simply tossing your laptop or computer into the trash like a wadded up paper towel or empty cereal box. That’s because modern electronics are made with components containing some pretty serious environmental contaminants that could seep into the ecosystem through various channels if discarded directly to a landfill:

  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Lithium
  • Cadmium
  • Brominated Flame Retardants

In order to improve the efficiency of usable material recovery and maximize the recycling process, electronic equipment is stripped down and dismantled to base components and materials. Environmental hazards can then be processed or reused properly, while the remaining components are recycled into useable raw materials.

It’s also important that you identify recycling services that will actually recycle your materials and not offload the process to an overseas subcontractor that isn’t as invested in environmental safety and efficient recycling processes. Companies that certify recycling is performed onsite are not offloading the process overseas or to prisons, thus contributing to the wellbeing of the planet and their own local community.

Read Why you should destroy old hard drives?

A Local Solution for a Global Problem

Companies that have undertaken the daunting task of trying to keep up with consumer consumption of electronic devices and the ever increasing tide of associated e-waste have their work cut out for them. But it’s work that must be done in order to protect the planet, and it starts with socially conscious companies like 1 Green Planet, who are willing to make the process as easy and accessible to as many people as possible.