Of the many different types of waste that people have in their homes, one of the most overlooked is electronic devices. From chargers to old cellphones to other electronic gear, these types of devices carry both valuable metals and hazardous waste that needs proper recycling and disposal. The average household has more than 24 electronic devices of some type, and around the holiday season some of these devices get upgraded and replaced. At some point or another, every homeowner will need to deal with this issue.

Here are a few tips for getting rid of the electronic waste in your home the proper way, which will avoid potential health issues and perhaps even make you a little money.

Recycle

First, you’ll want to locate the nearest recycling center that takes electronic devices. There is a big market for used electronic parts of all types and the metals inside may be valuable as well. You can look for recycling centers that pay for certain types of metals and materials to see if they might be valuable. However, in most cases you will probably only get a small amount back.

Donate

If you have devices that still work, but are no longer useful to you such as an older computer, consider donating them instead. There are many non-profit organizations that provide used electronics to adults and children around the world who need them. They will take your device if it is still in good working condition, refurbish it, and ship it to those who need it.

Sell

If you have devices that still work that you think might be valuable enough to sell, it’s easy to find out. You can go to auction sites such as eBay and check out similar items that are up for sale. This will give you an idea of the market price for what you own. Be sure to add shipping costs and all the details about your device, including photos which show any marks, scrapes, or damage which may affect its value.

It really helps if you look for green products when buying new electronic devices to minimize the hazardous waste associated with these products. Gadgets that have an Energy Star label or have been certified by Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool or EPEAT are good places to start. That way, you can reduce the amount of needless electronic waste while getting the most out of the products that you own.

For more information about electronic waste disposal, contact the experts at Brickley Environmental. They can help you properly dispose of such devices to create a safe environment in your home, office, or facility.