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Category Archives: Electronics Disposal

Electronics Recycling with Junk King Sonoma

It feels like nothing lasts as long as it used to. From bulky beige computers and fax machines to tv screens that become obsolete as soon as larger, thinner versions make their debut, it’s actually concerning just how fast electronic gadgets are becoming obsolete. As such, electronic waste is becoming a huge problem worldwide.

Electronics Recycling with Junk King Sonoma

Junk King Sonoma provides an efficient, safe, and eco-friendly solution to your e-waste problem. We’re here to ensure your old gadgets do not end up in landfills.

From pick-up to recycling, we remove almost all types of e-waste, including:

  • Computers
  • Copy machines
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Microwaves
  • Lamps and bulbs
  • Cooling and freezing equipment, including heat pumps
  • Toasters
  • Video cameras
  • Smart home appliances
  • Small monitoring and control instruments

As long as it’s not hazardous, we’ll pick it up.

Why Donate or Recycle Electronics?

With every generation, electronics get better and more efficient. That said, the world is now producing over 50 million tons of e-waste every year.

Let’s put this into perspective. 50 million tons of e-waste:

  • Weighs more than all commercial airlines ever made
  • Is the equivalent of 375 cruise ships
  • Is worth over $57.18 billion – more than the GDP of most countries.

Unfortunately, only about 20% of electronic waste is recycled, and the United States produces most of the e-waste. It’s estimated that Americans throw away over 9 million tons of electronic products every year, accounting for 70% of the hazardous waste in landfills.

By weight, small electronic equipment, such as screens and monitors, lamps, vacuum cleaners, and microwaves, account for the largest share of e-waste. All of which are easily recycled. In fact, all electronic products are made from valuable materials. Donating or recycling your electronics conserves natural resources and prevents them from ending up in your local landfill.

What’s more, circuit boards, batteries, CRTS, and even fridges and refrigerators contain materials hazardous to the environment. Some old TV sets even contain lead. All these toxins can leach into the air and soil at landfills contaminating the environment around you. 

But worry not; Junk King Sonoma is here for you. With Junk King, recycling your old electronics is easier than ever. We’ll manage every aspect for you, from pick-up to hauling and recycling.

How To Sustainably Get Rid of E-Waste

Call Junk King, of course. We’ll haul away any and all electronics you need to get rid of.

With that said, your electronic waste could easily be someone else’s treasure. Old cell phones and computers can be refurbished and sold. You can also donate your old electronics to charities and donation centers.

Note: Although electronics are fully recyclable, they may not be accepted by your weekly garbage disposal service, especially if your state has e-waste disposal and recycling laws in place. For this reason, you also cannot leave your old electronics by the curbside.

With Junk King Sonoma, you don’t have to pay mind to any of these rules. We offer:

  • Luxury home pick-ups

By luxury home pick-up, we mean you don’t have to lift a finger. Doesn’t matter how bulky or heavy a piece of equipment is; we do all the hauling and heavy lifting. It really does not get better than this.

  • Excellent customer service

Our reviews speak for themselves. We’re the best junk removal company in North America for a reason. We ensure that all your wishes are taken care of, and we are licensed, bonded, and insured to ensure no liability falls on your shoulders.

  • Transparent and fair pricing

We price our services based on how much space your junk takes up in our trucks. Pricing by volume, not weight, that’s our philosophy at Junk King. We’ll provide you with an estimate, with no hidden fees, as soon as we arrive on your property and inspect the waste in need of disposal.

We’ll also beat any written estimates.

  • Eco-friendly processes

There’s absolutely no reason why electronic waste should end up in landfills. We endeavor to recycle as much material as we possibly can every time. We take both large and small e-waste items and see to it that they end up in the right place. If the electronics are still functioning, we’ll try as much as possible to place them with a charity.

What About My Data?

It’s no secret that electronics contain sensitive information. As such, it’s crucial to take some necessary steps before disposing of your electronics. Here’s what you can do:

  • Sign out of all accounts on your device
  • Remove your personally identifying information and sensitive documents from the device
  • Reset the phone or computer to factory settings

More importantly, partner with a trustworthy disposal company. Check the reputation of the junk disposal company and make sure their certifications and licenses have not lapsed. If a company is offering services for free, it’s better to steer clear of them.

Don’t Just Toss It; Call In the Junk Experts

Electronics recycling is a crucial aspect of addressing our current environmental challenges. By responsibly disposing of electronic devices and recycling their components, we can conserve resources, reduce pollution, and protect the planet. We all have a part to play, and Junk King can help you fulfill yours.

At Junk King Sonoma, we recognize the importance of proper e-waste recycling and donation. We offer specialized services to help individuals, businesses, and neighborhoods properly dispose of their unwanted electronics. Over the years, we’ve partnered with several donation and recycling facilities throughout Sonoma to make our processes more efficient.

Want to partner with Junk King Sonoma? Contact us today, via call or even send us a text. We’re always available for our customers. Reclaim your space today.

Have an old TV? Take Advantage of Junk King’s Efficient TV Disposal Service

Do you have an old or broken TV that you want to get rid of?  Don’t let it take up space in your home.  Instead, lean on our TV disposal specialists to haul it away and recycle or repurpose it in a manner that proves productive.

2 old TVs waiting for disposal

TV Disposal Done Right

There is a common misconception that TVs are transported to the closest landfill where they either leak chemicals into the land or simply take up space.  Though some inferior junk haulers transport old and broken TVs to landfills where they wreak havoc on the local land, we do the exact opposite.  Our TV disposal service takes the environment as well as future inhabitants of our planet into account when performing hauls.  We refuse to simply haul away old TVs and other e-waste to landfills.  Rather, we perform green TV disposal.

If your old TV is still functional, we will donate it to those in need.  If the TV no longer works yet its parts have some utility, we will repurpose them.  If the TV does not work and its internal parts cannot be repurposed, we will recycle it so it serves a purpose down the line.  In fact, you might even end up using your recycled computer parts in another form down the line.  The logic in repurposing and recycling old TVs is to ensure their internal chemicals and components do not damage our surrounding environment.

Though you cannot see the insides of your old TV or other electronic item by looking at it, the truth is these electronics contain harmful chemicals and components that are a direct threat to mother nature.  So don’t give your business to a company that redirects old TVs to landfills or dumpsters.  Let us perform TV disposal on your behalf and we will do everything in our power to ensure the device finds a new owner or serves a useful purpose through recycling or repurposing.

Let Our Team do the Lifting and Hauling for You

Perhaps the worst part about getting rid of an old or broken TV is the fact that it requires lifting and hauling.  In short, TV disposal is not easy, especially if the unit is an old, bulky CRT that weighs significantly more than modern day flatscreens.  Heavy, boxy and antiquated TVs are difficult to lift and transport.  Furthermore, there is no guarantee the TV will be picked up if it is simply left at the curb.  Why bother working up a sweat and potentially enduring an injury or damaging your home attempting to haul away your old TV when our team is here to do the work on your behalf?

We will lift, haul and dispose of your TV in a green manner so you can feel good about finally getting rid of that old unit for good.  Whether you want to free up space, add a newer, more modern TV to your home or have another reason for TV disposal, our team is here to do the work.

Recognize the Threat of Improper TV Disposal

The improper removal of TVs threatens our sensitive planet.  Though some TVs are small and certainly look harmless, they have the potential to poison our surroundings.  TVs are categorized as e-waste, meaning they contain toxic chemicals that will compromise our surroundings when placed in a landfill or another location.  Our TV disposal team performs safe, environmentally-friendly and uber-efficient TV removals that benefit you as well as your surroundings.  We carefully lift and remove TVs from customer homes, ensuring no damage is inflicted on the doors, walls or entertainment center.  Rather than dropping the TV off at the curb or a landfill, we recycle or repurpose it with the overarching aim of preserving the integrity of our environment.

Efficient TV Disposal

There is a common misconception that moving TVs and other e-waste is a massive project that requires extensive planning and manpower.  Even if you have several large TVs you would like removed from your home, our team will do the work on your behalf with unparalleled efficiency.  Schedule TV disposal and our team will call 15 minutes prior to arrival, provide a no-cost estimate and perform the disposal without any hidden fees.  It does not get any easier than that.  The bottom line is we understand your time equates to money.  Lean on our team for TV disposal and we will be done much sooner than you anticipated.

Schedule TV Disposal With Junk King Sonoma

When it comes to TV disposal, no one does it better than Junk King Sonoma.  Reach out to us today to find out more about how our TV disposal specialists will haul away your TV as well as your other e-waste and dispose of it in an environmentally-friendly manner.  You can contact our junk hauling crew by dialing (707) 744-4254 or texting 1-737-888-5865.

7 Essential Tips for an Estate Cleanout

Since 2000, many American retirees have increased dramatically, with about 10,000 people turning 65 every day. Despite the increasing number of baby boomers, most retirees barely have savings to push beyond retirement. Eventually, it culminates in an estate cleanout to sell a property and live within a constrained budget.

An estate cleanout is always a stressful time for every homeowner. Despite complexities, you may proceed with the cleanout and sale when compelled by circumstances.

Regardless of the cause, you should find the simplest and stress-free way to clean out your property. Here are some pointers to help you plan ahead of time before you embark on the enormous task of estate cleanout.

boxes stacked in estate cleanout project

What Is an Estate Clean Out?

It involves the total removal of all equipment, food items, and personal belongings from a property.

During the process, either you or an assigned relative takes away all belongings to divide the property among heirs, liquidate, or put it on offer for sale.

When an estate cleanout comes forth, it is usually as a result of numerous unfortunate factors, namely;

  • You are downsizing to a smaller home.
  • You’ve lost a spouse.
  • Marital separation or divorce.
  • You have enormous debt.

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Tips for Handling an Estate Cleanout

A property cleanout can be difficult without proper planning. That’s why you require a professional junk remover to help you.

Besides a junk remover, the following tips will come in handy.

#1 Have a Timeline

Consider setting a deadline to complete your cleanout. When you have a deadline to meet, it motivates you to push through the tedious process, finish within a reasonable time and concentrate on other activities.

A timeline is also important if the house is under auction or subcontracted to a new tenant. You’ll avoid infringing on any cleanout terms or timeframes outlined by the court due to auctioning.

#2 Take Inventory of What to Clean Out

Before vacating the homestead, be sure to identify all items due for cleaning out. If you inherited the apartment from your parents, consider accounting for every valuable item they may have hidden. It could be some cash under a pillow, family photos in a crawl space, or a safe concealed in the basement.

Similarly, if you are the initial owner of the estate, consider locations where you possibly kept some items that you may haven’t checked out for a while.

For instance, in the case of a will, your parent’s attorney will likely have an idea of the most current edition of the document. Therefore, the attorney will help you understand the conditions enshrined in the will.

#3 Secure All Vital Documents

Sorting and identifying important documents is part of cleaning out a property. Essential documents include a deed, estate titles, banking information, testamentary, car title, insurance plan, birth records, mortgage statements, and identification documents. The new occupant of the estate will require some identification documents, such as estate titles, to close the deal on cleanout.

Moreover, some files may contain personal details that you wouldn’t want unauthorized people to access.

#4 Hire an Appraiser and Liquidator

Based on the price of the estate’s contents, you may require an estate valuer and a property liquidator.

For example, some accessories require a professional evaluation to determine the value before cleaning out. Such items include old ornaments, antique furniture, historical records, or a collection of silver pennies. If you wish to sell them, hiring a valuer guarantees that you will get a reasonable return on your investment.

Similarly, if you have a tight schedule that doesn’t allow you to handle the process, then hiring a property liquidator to do the legwork could be the best option. You will earn extra cash from the property sale without devoting all of your time to it.

A property liquidator can advise you on making the most of every item you don’t want to keep.

#5 Talk to Relatives on How to Distribute Households

Family struggles are not common during estate cleanouts because some items may be shared. As a result, you cannot dispose of all items without involving close family members.

One useful strategy is having close relatives prepare a checklist of some items they would wish to have from the homestead. Alternatively, you can allow relatives to politely request the merchandise they want to retain by settling on a negotiated agreement.

Whereas this can work well in some scenarios, it can also lead to conflicts and misunderstandings in other households. If you encounter conflict during property distribution, you may need legal assistance to help solve it. Other external intermediaries may also be beneficial.

#6 Keep Sentimental Photos for the Future Generation

While your photos may be of little benefit to the new occupants of the property, it doesn’t make sense to leave them behind.

Therefore, photo albums and galleries form an indispensable part of the family lineage, especially the extended family. The idea is not to brag about your lavish lifestyle but to give youngsters and others who may come across them an opportunity to link to relatives they may never have had the privilege of meeting.

#7 Donate to Charity Organizations

An estate cleanout is the best moment to give to charity within the neighborhood. Clothes, for instance, may not be worth selling unless you have an antique collection dating to the 1950s and 1960s. Other attires have little residual value after-sales, so they are worth giving out to the needy.

Outlet stores like eBay can offer a reliable platform to earn good revenue from secondhand clothes.

Suppose you have other items, such as furniture, washing machines, and kitchen utensils. In that case, you could also donate to secondhand stores or non-profit entities that accept donations to help needy people.

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Estate Cleanout: Where to Find a Professional Junk Removal Company

The cleaning out process of an estate is not only time-consuming but physically demanding. Moreover, without proper knowledge, it may turn out extremely stressful.

As a result, you should only focus on the critical aspects that truly require your time and effort. Luckily, our tips will help you overcome the hassles and have a peaceful transition.

Therefore, before you begin, have a timeline to help you complete the task within the required period. Additionally, deciding on what to clean out and ensuring the safety of essential documents are critical.

Junk King Sonoma is a trusted partner in hauling services. Our polite and friendly staff are always ready to solve your estate cleanout needs. If you live in Sonoma and need estate cleanout services, please contact us.

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All You Should Know About Recycling After Computer Disposal

Most business processes have now moved online as more people aim for convenience and companies seek to minimize the number of workers in their physical locations. This means that almost everyone nowadays owns a computer. Though smartphones and other gadgets can handle most of the activities undertaken on a computer, the latter is easier to use and cheaper than the former.

Like almost all appliances, even the best manufactured and cared for computers often break down beyond repair or no longer suit users’ needs. Most people choose to leave the computers rotting away on their premises or simply throw them in the trash rather than follow the proper computer disposal protocol to recycle the gadgets. A 2020 study estimated that recycling a million computers can save enough energy to power 3500 homes in the U.S for up to a year.

With such promising statistics, it is prudent to play a role in computer recycling by getting the right waste removal company to take your computer. Below are a few guidelines on the computer recycling process to give you an insight into the critical role you will play.

ewaste in a pile

What Is E-Waste Recycling?

When looking for information on computer recycling, you will often come across e-waste recycling. E-waste (electronic waste/scrap) encompasses all trash generated from surplus, obsolete, and broken-down electronic devices. This includes home appliances like cookers, televisions, air conditioners, as well as information tech equipment like laptops, computers, monitors, mobile phones, batteries, and hard disks.

Issues Associated With Indiscriminate Disposal of E-Waste

When you throw away broken-down electronics in the trash, it often ends up in landfills where it releases toxic and hazardous substances. These usually contaminate groundwater and soil. They eventually end up in the water humans drink and the foods they eat. Some of the adverse effects of exposure to the harmful materials in e-waste for kids include stillbirths, poor birth outcomes, premature births, impaired thyroid function, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

Producing one computer takes not less than 1.5 tons of water, 530 pounds of fossil fuels, and 48 pounds of chemicals. When a computer is recycled, these precious materials are not entirely lost but reused in manufacturing new gadgets, thus minimizing the impact of manufacturing electronics on the earth.

e-waste recycling

Steps of Recycling Computers

Below are the usual steps involved in the computer recycling process:

  1. Collection

When you have an outdated or broken-down computer, the first step in recycling it is calling a junk removal company that handles e-waste to pick it and drop it at the nearest computer disposal plant. Some centers will pay computer owners a small fee as an incentive for increasing recycling and the sale of new computers. Nonetheless, most will charge computer owners for the disposal of their gadgets.

  1. Sorting

The recycling center will manually sort the computers by type before they move them into reuse or processing. After sorting, the computers will be tested for the possibility of reuse. The ones in reasonably good condition can be repaired or refurbished then sold or donated.

  1. Manual disassembly

The computers that cannot be reused or repaired are manually disassembled into sound cards, circuit boards, DVD drives, keyboards, hard drives, and speakers. CRTs (cathode ray tubes) are carefully handled to prevent exposure or spilling of dangerous materials like cadmium, barium, phosphorus, lead, and barium. Dangerous parts like rechargeable batteries are often sent to secondary recyclers with suitable machines for battery production and recycling. Highly skilled workers to maintain the integrity of parts handle the manual disassembly. Some parts are re-sold, while others move to the next step of recycling.

  1. Data destruction

The hard drives and processors from recycled computers will be crashed and shredded into a million pieces. This ensures that all the data stored in them is fully destroyed. The processor and hard drives are made into aluminum ingots used in the automotive sector.

  1. Separation into material composition

After harvesting a computer’s valuable components, the other pieces are shredded by material composition. This means separating them into plastics, metals, wires, and other components. The resulting debris will be passed through different screening techniques that remove all valuable parts. Smelting recovers metals like silver, copper, iron, and gold from the debris.

  1. Reuse

The different recovered materials are ferried to their respective material recyclers for further processing. For instance, metals can be sent to metal recyclers to manufacture new steel and metallic materials. However, CRT glass undergoes further recycling to remove lead and harmful materials from it before selling it to CRT recyclers.

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Parts of E-Waste That Can Be Recycled

Not all parts of your computers and other electronic waste are recyclable. Here is a guide on the parts that are recycled and what they are made into:

  • Plastic that is used to make vineyard stakes, fencing posts, trays, equipment holders, insulators, and sleepers, among other items.
  • Metal used to manufacture new metallic products.
  • CRT glass is used to make new screens for computers, tablets, phones, TVs, and other gadgets.
  • Mercury is used in dental amalgams, fluorescent lights, and metric instruments after undergoing specialized techniques to make it safe.
  • Cadmium, nickel, steel, and cobalt from scrap batteries are used to manufacture new batteries or fabricate steel.

With most of your questions on recycling computers answered, you need a company that believes in recycling as much as you do to pick your computer for its recycling. Your answer is Junk King Sonoma that serves Sonoma and the surrounding areas in California. The company recycles about 60% of the waste it receives; statistics that place it among the most eco-conscious waste removal companies worldwide.

It might seem like having a waste removal company pick your computer and other e-waste to take to a recycling center is overkill because most of these devices are portable. Nonetheless, the waste needs to be carefully handled to avoid exposure to hazardous materials and salvage any components that can be reused. Get in touch with Junk King Sonoma today to start the recycling of your e-waste.

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Appliance Recycling: How to Recycle Large and Small Appliances

The appliances and electronics you use will often reach their life span, requiring you to fling them out. Seeing as you will inevitably have to dispose of these appliances, it is crucial that you get it right the first time around. Unfortunately, getting rid of old, phased-out, or faulty appliances holds several challenges. This article delves into how to recycle your appliances and the benefits you will likely leverage from this approach.

appliance disposal

Benefits of Appliance Recycling

Simply sussing out appliance recycling as the best approach will not do it. You are likely curious about the additional benefits of appliance recycling.

For starters, appliance recycling helps protects the ozone layer. Let’s consider a cooling appliance, for instance. These cooling agents rely on a cooling agent known as Freon to work. When not properly disposed of, this Freon will potentially leak into the atmosphere, which will finally end up within the ozone layer. When you recycle your cooling appliance, you stand a chance to reduce this Freon and other hazardous chemicals, thus protecting the ozone layer.

The environmental benefits don’t stop there. According to research by the Environmental Protection Agency, by recycling just one million laptops, the United States could save enough energy to power up to 3,500 homes for up to a year. Besides, getting important components from the appliances should reduce mining activities for said components.

Further, as highlighted, appliance recycling has the potential to save you money. Regardless of the state where you are and the regulations that apply, you must pay a disposal fee. By recycling the same, you do not have to pay said disposal fees and might even get some cash back into your pocket.

Ways to Recycle Used Appliance

Seeing as you stand to leverage significant benefits, how then can you recycle used appliances?

Resale or Donate Old Appliance

Granted, you are likely thinking of trashing your old appliances. However, in most municipalities, you can simply not toss these appliances in your bin. The other option is donating or this old appliance. Unfortunately, most often than not, it is a bit more complicated than giving away the old appliance. As such, it would be best that you do some homework on the regulations surrounding the resale or donation of old appliances.

Once well-versed on what’s necessary for lawful reselling or donation, you could try and find a market for the old appliance locally. Consider posting paper ads at stores around you or having a garage sale. You could also decide to try consigning your used appliance. Going for the consignment appliance store should help get your item in front of many potential buyers as these shops have a great reputation.

While you could get lucky and immediately find a buyer, you stand a better chance by selling the appliance online. You want to post your item on the local online marketplaces. That way, you end up reaching as many people as possible within your area. Populate your online advertisement with information that interested parties are likely looking for.

Alternatively, if the garage sale or the hassle of having to sell online is not your cup of tea, you can opt to donate the appliance. You could find a charity case and choose to give them the appliance for their use. Go around your community to find local outlets or donation centers that could accept the appliance for use on behalf of needy families.

Organize Appliance Swaps via Retailers

Suppose you are looking to upgrade to a new appliance. In most cases, there is a possibility that a dealer will agree that you trade in the old appliance for the updated version. Oftentimes, this trade-in will attract a nominal fee, especially if the appliance you brought back requires some maintenance work. In retrospect, by swapping the old for a newer or different product, you move the chain of custody of said item to the retailer, meaning they are now in charge of disposing of it.

Be on the lookout for websites and platforms that allow you to swap your appliance with a company. Note that you ought to ask for a derivative contract between you and the retailer detailing the different aspects of the swap.

Sell Old Appliances for Parts

Amongst the commodities that are the main inputs in your appliances and electronic device are steel, aluminum, and other metals, which hold a reuse value. Instead of having this pile up in landfills due to improper disposal, you could sell these old appliances as parts. The latter will be bought by scrap metal dealers and reused into new material, thus eliminating environmental stress.

Larger equipment like dishwaters and dryers will often fetch more from these scrap yards than smaller appliances. Still, even with the latter, you should get a decent amount which you have the option of donating to a charity of your choosing.

Schedule for Appliance Recycle Pick Up

In some instances, you might simply want to avoid the hassle of dealing with the appliance altogether. In that case, you could schedule an appliance recycle pick-up. Start by searching for a provider offering said appliance recycling pick-up services within your area.

An insider tip would be to check with a local utility company near you to see whether they offer removal services, especially for older energy-guzzling appliances.

Further, you might have the Public Works Department within your local government provide this bulk trash pickup. It is prudent to mention that this might attract a fee that will likely be cheaper than what you would have otherwise paid as disposal fees.

Sign up for EPA RAD Program

Research shows the potential negative outcomes of some appliance recycling approaches. In response, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program.

The program comes in handy as it identifies recycling partners who have done exceptionally well when it comes to recycling. They will often have made a strong commitment to the set guidelines and will go beyond federal laws to dispose of hazardous materials properly.

The Ultimate Appliance Recycling Solution

Junk King is on a mission to help with waste recycling. This includes the proper recycling of appliances, whether large or small. We understand that creating a plan as part of your appliance recycling initiative might be the last thing on your mind. As such, we step in to do the heavy lifting for you.

We have created an appliance recycling model that is environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Our experts work with you to ensure that you save or even make money and ultimately keep hazardous material out of the landfills within your locality. Contact Junk King today and let us take appliance recycling off your shoulder.

E-Waste Recycling with Junk King Sonoma

Electronic waste or e-waste refers to any old or discarded appliance or equipment that’s no longer useful. The biggest culprits include heating and cooling systems, TVs, radios, computers, monitors, printers, microwaves, and cellphones.

The amount of e-waste is growing significantly, representing over 2% of the trash in our landfills. While this must seem like a small percentage, e-waste accounts for over 70% of toxic waste worldwide.

Electronics and electric devices contain potentially dangerous materials and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium.

Without proper e-waste disposal, these toxic materials pose severe risks to the environment and human health.

This is where the significance of e-waste recycling comes into play.

e-waste recycling pile

What is E-Waste Recycling?

E-waste recycling refers to the reprocessing, recovering, and reusing of valuable materials obtained from discarded electronics and electrical equipment and appliances.

Electronics and electrical appliances contain valuable materials such as plastic, glass, mercury, metals, and circuit boards that are potentially harmful to the environment but can be reused to produce other equipment.

The primary objective of recycling is to collect and process waste into reusable materials, consequently protecting the environment from harm and conserving natural resources.

Regrettably, only a small percentage of electronic waste gets recycled, with very few states having legislation on the same, meaning a significant amount ends up in landfills.

In addition, only a few junk removal companies offer e-waste recycling services.

A Breakdown of the E-Waste Recycling Process

E-waste recycling is an intricate process made up of about seven steps:

Step 1 – Collection

The first step entails collecting discarded electronic products from recycling bins placed at designated locations across your neighborhood. The containers are usually blue with a recycling symbol to avoid mixing the e-waste with other trash. Some collection sites have different boxes for different electronic waste.

Step 2 – Transportation

Once the recycler collects the e-waste from the designated collection sites, they have to transport it to the recycling plant for processing and storage. Some electrical items require immediate processing and storage to contain hazardous materials and save valuable resources. For instance, the glass on older TV models with CRTs has lead that is potentially harmful to the environment.

Step 3 – Sorting, Dismantling, and Shredding

Various e-waste products undergo different processing, so the recycler has to sort them manually before the next stage. Electrical items such as batteries, cellphones, toner cartridges, and fluorescent bulbs have their own processing. For this reason, the recycler has to sort them separately before dismantling or shredding them.

Dismantling and shredding e-waste items entail breaking them into small pieces for easy sorting and processing.

Step 4 – Dust Extraction

Dust might have accumulated over the period the discarded items were in the collection bin. If this is the case, the recycler has to extract it using eco-friendly methods. Dust extraction involves shaking the waste items on a conveyor belt to prepare the e-waste for processing.

Step 5 – Magnetic and Water Separation

The mechanical separation stage involves two critical steps: magnetic and water separation.

Magnetic separation entails passing a giant magnet over ferrous metals to pull and separate steel and iron from other electronic waste to prepare them for smelting. Water separation uses water to separate and purify plastic and glass from other e-waste items.

Step 6 – Purification

Separating the different electronic waste is not sufficient to recover valuable materials. The recycler has to purify salvaged items. The purification stage locates and extracts leftover metals from plastics to prepare them for the last step – the recycling process.

Step 7 – Recovery & Recycling

The final stage is recovering, recycling, and preparing the materials for reuse. Some recyclers sell the recovered items and components to manufacturers as raw materials.

The Top Benefits of E-Waste Recycling

  1. Recovery of Valuable Materials

Electronics and electrical devices consist of valuable materials such as gold, steel, and copper. However, only a tiny percentage, less than 20%, of these materials get recovered through recycling. Most of it gets lost in the landfills as part of other trash. Enforcing several recycling programs can help salvage these valuable materials.

  1. Environmental Protection

The primary reason for e-waste recycling is to collect and process electronic waste into reusable materials, consequently protecting the environment from harm. Electrical devices and products consist of potentially hazardous materials that can contaminate our water sources and destroy our ecological systems.

  1. Preservation of Natural Resources

The priority of e-waste recycling is environmental protection and preservation of natural resources. By recycling and reusing waste materials, manufacturers no longer have to source fresh raw materials such as metal, steel, and copper. They can acquire these items from recyclers, helping conserve natural resources.

  1. Saves Landfills

According to the World Health Organization, the amount of electronic waste is growing at an alarming rate. With very few countries and states embracing e-waste recycling, it is just a matter of time before our landfills become overwhelmed. E-waste recycling can help reduce the burden on our dumping sites.

  1. Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Another benefit of recycling is the decreased greenhouse gas emissions. E-waste recycling can help lower carbon emissions and reduce the impact of pollution on climate change.

  1. Saves Money

According to various stats, electronic waste that finds its way to landfills and dumping sites amounts to $55 billion annually. E-waste recycling can help recover some of the money lost by reusing salvaged materials to produce other items.

  1. Health benefits

You might not know this, but e-waste recycling has several health benefits. The process prevents hazardous materials from polluting the air and contaminating water sources, going a long way to averting chronic respiratory conditions and ailments.

Contact Junk King Sonoma for Professional E-Waste Recycling

E-waste is not biodegradable, meaning it does not disappear on its own. The waste finds its way to our dumping grounds, leading to pollution and environmental degradation. The danger produced from e-waste comes from the toxic materials used to make electronics and electrical devices.

E-waste recycling is a viable solution to dealing with electronic waste, and this is where the services of Junk King come to play.

We are an experienced Junk Removal service providing e-waste recycling in Sonoma and surrounding regions. Contact us today to learn more about our green e-waste recycling services.

The Main Steps of Getting Rid Of Data before Computer Recycling

A significant amount of work and recreation is done nowadays on computers. Computer manufacturers have thus stepped up to provide new technologies that suit the ever-changing needs of their target markets. Annually, manufacturers produce a billion cellphones and 30 million computers. This means there are a lot of computers ending up in landfills as people scramble for new ones with better technologies.

Some people leave obsolete and unwanted computers lying around in their properties in case they need them in the future. This only leads to reduced room on your property. You might choose to simply dump your computer in a landfill, but this is against the law in most states as they seek to maximize e-waste recycling. Junk king Sonoma is one of the junk removal companies at the forefront of computer recycling. The company will pick up your computer then dispose of it responsibly at a recycling plant if it cannot be donated.

old computer parts

Computer Recycling

Recycling is the reuse and reprocessing of computers along with components like their screens, central processors, motherboards, and monitors. In 2019, only 17.4% of collected e-waste was recycled, according to a report by the UN, despite the benefits of the practice. E-waste recycling reduces the burden of waste on the environment, cuts the manufacturing costs of new computers, creates job opportunities, and reduces greenhouse gases from toxins like cadmium, mercury, and lead.

You might think of repairing or upgrading your computer rather than recycling it. Though these are eco-friendly alternatives, your old computer software might not support an upgrade. Repairing an old computer is also often more expensive than buying a new one. As such, the prudent choice in both instances would be recycling.

Steps of Getting Rid Of Data before Computer Recycling

Before your computer is picked for recycling, remove your data from it. Here are steps to guide you so that your data does not get into the wrong hands.

Back up your files

Before deleting all data from your computer, back up the files saved on it so that you can transfer them to your next computer. The backing up process will differ based on where your files are stored. In cloud-based file syncing like Dropbox and Google Drive, this is easy since all your files are already stored somewhere else. Just ensure that the files you need are synchronized to another computer or backed to the cloud. If your files are on the computer, get an external device to hold them.

Transfer software

You want to ensure that all the licensed software on your current computer is activated on your new one. Some applications have a deactivation feature allowing you to transfer their license to a different computer. You can check the menu commands on your licensed programs to deactivate them then activate them on a new computer. Ensure you have a copy of the product keys or license that will help you reactivate your software.

Encrypt files

Simply wiping your drive and deleting data will not eliminate sensitive information on your computers. This is where encryption will come in. You can encrypt your folders and files to negate the threat of breaching them. After encryption, anyone who wants to access the data will need an encryption key that only you have.

Clean the hard drive

Nowadays, several data recovery programs exist, allowing people to retrieve parts or all your data when you do not properly clean it off your hard drive. To ensure this does not happen to your data, delete files from your computer by pressing shift and Del. You can then use one of the many data shredding programs that will overwrite your files. Overwrite the data severally to make it harder for someone to retrieve it.

Delete browsing history

Cleaning your hard drive and external drives will not get rid of your browsing history on browsers like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome. Follow the required steps on your browser to get rid of your browsing history before Junk King picks your machine for computer recycling.

Test your computer

After going through all the steps of getting rid of your data, test it to ensure the actions were successful. For this, you need a file recovery program like TestDisk, PhotoRec, or Piriform Recuva. These programs will look for any information on your deleted data on the computer. If your deletion of data was a success, the files will not show up on the recovery program.

Destroy your drive

Sometimes, the above steps might not be enough to get rid of your data. There is another extreme option for destroying your drive when you have sensitive information like military, financial, or medical data. In this case, the drive can be crushed or melted. If you have a magnetic drive, this is degaussed to eliminate its magnetic field, thus permanently deleting the data. Though this is a waste of valuable hardware, it is sometimes necessary for companies dealing with extremely sensitive information.

With data breaches increasing recently and people’s information being used for evil, it is understandable if you are apprehensive about computer recycling because of the risk of exposing your data. Nonetheless, with the above steps, you can guarantee that the computer you hand over to a junk removal company has no information that can be used against you. If any of these steps seem too technical for you, consider hiring an expert so you are guaranteed that your data has been effectively deleted.

You will come across several junk removal companies when looking for one to pick up your computer for recycling. If you want quick and efficient service, your best choice is Junk King. The company with multiple locations will give you an upfront estimate of how much their services will cost and has highly trained staff to handle your e-waste. Junk King also recycles up to 60% of the waste it receives, so you can be sure you are working with a company intent on eco-conservation. Contact Junk King today for the first step in computer recycling; collection of your computer.

 

Kitchen Trends You Should Invest In After Appliance Disposal

 

The essence of having a happy and functional kitchen cannot be over-emphasized. After all, this is the source of your family’s comfort, togetherness, and nourishment. Therefore, when remodeling or upgrading your home, one of the places you should focus on is the kitchen. Nonetheless, you might be at a loss on what to do with the old appliances that no longer suit your needs and intended look. Thankfully, you have appliance disposal companies that will safely get rid of your old appliances to make way for a new kitchen look.

With your old appliances out of the way, below are a few trends on which you can base your choice of replacement appliances for a modern kitchen.

Appliance disposal yard filled with old Tv's and appliances

Steam ovens

People are now stepping away from conventional gas and electric ovens to steam ovens as over a third of the global population becomes more eco-conscious and looks for ways of saving money. Steam ovens have quicker cooking times, warm food evenly without the risk of drying it, and can be used for cooking, baking, or steaming food. Furthermore, they are among the safest options for cooking because their moist heat reduces the risk of burns.

If you want the healthiest way of cooking food, look no further than a steam oven. Since it uses steam instead of hot air to cook your food, the food keeps its nutrients locked inside. Moreover, with steaming, you negate the use of cooking oil or fat that increases the calorie content of your food.

The refrigerator revolution

Refrigerators are among the kitchen appliances getting a significant upgrade. When considering colors, glass panels for fridge doors and drawers are the way to go. The latest fridges also feature food zones that compartmentalize the foods you want to store to reduce food contamination. The ice makers are upgraded to filter water for your ice making. They make ice cubes of different shapes to attract cocktail drinkers.

You can also kiss fridge handles goodbye with the latest technology. Manufacturers now have smart technologies that enable an auto-assist feature to open and close your fridge door automatically. This means you will not worry about contaminating your hands when cooking as you open and close a refrigerator’s door.

The Bluetooth sync

The promise of syncing your kitchen appliances using a Bluetooth device is enough to get you to call an appliance disposal company to cart away your old appliances. Kitchen appliance manufacturers now want to make life easier by syncing your appliances with a Bluetooth device. This means you can remotely and easily control your appliances.

You need not fear that your old oven timer will overheat your food. You can simply adjust the timer using your Bluetooth device. If you want to preheat the oven before you come downstairs, you can now do so from a Bluetooth device. You can even sync multiple kitchen appliances to cut down their energy consumption.

Finger touching and swipe controls in place of knobs

If you are stuck with old appliances, the chances are that they are being controlled by knobs. These are clumsy to use and pose the danger of snagging your loose clothes as you walk past, causing deadly accidents. Say goodbye to these drawbacks with an investment in appliances operated using finger touching or swipe controls.

Finger touches and swipe controls work through electromagnetic instead of field heat. You can control your cooker’s temperature or turn on your cooker with a simple swipe or touch. There are little indicators on a screen that let you control different things on your appliances while giving your kitchen a clean, streamlined look.

The Wi-Fi connection

2022 is genuinely revolutionizing how you connect with your kitchen. Manufacturers are now producing kitchen appliances that allow you to control everything through your smartphone over a Wi-Fi connection. All you need is a home Wi-Fi that connects to your devices and an app on your phone allowing you to control them.

This means you can now switch on your oven through your phone over Wi-Fi long before you get home or turn down your freezer settings to defrost food before you come home. When you want to walk in and eat hot food, all you have to do is turn on your microwave and heat food before you come home. This seamless technology for your kitchen appliances is sure to ease your life.

Stainless steel appliances

Keeping your kitchen clean to lower the risk of food contamination and deadly diseases is quite challenging. Thankfully, it does not have to be so with an investment in stainless steel kitchen appliances. Unlike wood and other materials, stainless steel is easy to wipe down without damaging it. Moreover, the material is durable, resists smudges or fingerprints, and will reflect natural or artificial lighting in a small kitchen to make it look spacious.

Column freezers and fridges

In the past, fridges and freezers were sold as one appliance. With more people looking for more cold storage space, column freezers and fridges are becoming popular. These are separate vertical appliances with separate doors, one for your door and another for the freezer. You can buy the appliances separately and even install them in different locations, thus saving on the space in your kitchen without sacrificing your cold storage space.

Thankfully, upgrading your kitchen appliances to incorporate the above trends in your kitchen is not so expensive. A few appliance manufacturers even have payment plans to allow you to afford items that might be beyond your financial reach. Before heading for your shopping spree, contact Junk King to cart away your old appliances so that you have space for the new ones. Leaving them lying around on your premises makes your space look cluttered and becomes a safety hazard when they harbor pests or when the chemicals in the appliances start leaking. Contact junk king today to start your kitchen upgrade after the old appliances are removed.

 

Eco-Friendly Computer Disposal with Junk King Sonoma

Do you know that over 6 million pounds of electronic waste gets recycled every month? Despite these staggering figures, this stat translates to only 17% of the electronic waste that finds its way to recycling plants.

Old, damaged, or irreparable computers and related components are all electronic waste. They are generally not designed to be recycled, posing risks to the environment since they contain potentially toxic materials.

However, this does not mean there are no eco-friendly ways to dispose of your old or unused computer.

Hiring a professional to handle your computer disposal needs can save you lots of money and help conserve the environment from the hazardous nature of electronic waste.

computer disposal

What is Computer Disposal?

Computer disposal is the safe removal, disassembling, and recycling of old, outdated, or unused computers and related components to help sustain natural resources, protect the environment from toxic materials and save landfill space.

If you didn’t know, computers consist of several potentially hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, dioxins, and poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These toxic materials can cause significant harm to the environment and pose health risks when disposed of inappropriately.

With rapid changes in technology, the useful lifespan of a computer is very short. New technology means your current computer can become obsolete at any time, leaving you overwhelmed on what to do with your old or outdated machine.

Proper computer disposal can help conserve the environment, protect and improve health, reduce manufacturing costs, and save resources.

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Eco-Friendly Ways to Dispose of Your Computer

Computer disposal is not a walk in the park. Many people assume the quickest and safest way to dispose of a computer is by dumping it in the dumpster. However, doing so causes more harm than good. Inappropriate computer disposal poses health and environmental risks.

Learning eco-friendly ways to dispose of your outdated or unused computer can go a long way to save costs and conserve the environment. Here are a few tips on how to go about it:

  1. Consider Recycling Programs

Instead of dumping your old computer in the dumpster, consider recycling it. Many civic institutions and conservation groups run recycling programs for computers, electronics, and related components.

Most electrical retailers, by law, accept computers and other electrical goods for recycling. They have several drop-off points where you can take your old PC for recycling.

  1. Donate to Non-profit Organization

If you do not want your PC for whatever reason, someone else might need it. Many students, public institutions, charity groups, and needy families badly want a computer but currently can’t afford one.

To save you from the trouble of searching for needy individuals or groups, consider donating your old computer to charity and non-profit organizations. These entities already have a list of entities that require a PC.

  1. Give Back to Computer Companies

Another eco-friendly way to dispose of your computer is to send it back to the manufacturer. Many computer companies have drop-off points where you can take your PC.

Some companies have exchange policies that allow you to take your old PC in exchange for a newer and better version at discounted rates.

  1. Give it Away to Family or Friends

You do not have to dump your computer because you got a replacement or don’t need it. You can give it to family or friends for reuse as long as it is in good working condition. Find out from your loved ones if anyone needs a computer.

You can also hand it over to kids to help them learn how a PC works but ensure all parental controls are in place to protect them from potentially harmful content.

  1. Hire a Certified E-Waste Recycler

The quickest, safest, and surest way to dispose of your computer is to hire a certified e-waste recycler and disposal company. A professional has the necessary knowledge, expertise, experience, tools, and equipment to manage and handle your computer disposal needs.

e-waste recycling

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Computer Disposal

Computers consist of several potentially hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. These toxic substances can cause significant harm if they get to our groundwater and waterways. For this reason, proper, eco-friendly computer disposal is imperative.

Here are the top benefits of eco-friendly computer disposal:

  1. Sustains Natural Resources

Computer disposal entails disassembling the machine and reusing existing parts as raw materials. Proper computer disposal and recycling go a long way to help sustain natural resources since manufacturers no longer have to develop new components but rather reuse what is already available from the old PCs.

  1. Protects the Environment

Computers consist of severally potentially hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. These toxic materials can cause significant harm to the environment and pose health risks when disposed of inappropriately. Proper computer disposal helps protect the environment from these hazards.

  1. Saves Landfill Space

By hiring a professional to dispose of your computer, you can be sure that your old electronics won’t make it to the landfill. Proper computer disposal goes a long way to save landfill space and eventually prevent pollution and environmental degradation.

  1. Reduces Manufacturing Costs

Proper computer disposal is all about disassembling, recycling, and reusing computer components that are in good working condition. Since manufacturers no longer have to develop new materials, the production costs of new computers go down significantly. This goes a long way to reduce overall manufacturing costs.

full service junk removal

Hire Junk King Sonoma for your Computer Disposal Needs

Whether you bought a new computer or your current one is old and problematic, you may not know what to do with it when you get a replacement. Do you throw it in the dumpster, give it away to a friend, sell it, or donate it to charity?

Worry not! Junk King is here to help. We are undoubtedly the greenest computer disposal company in Sonoma and countrywide. Our competent team will safely remove, disassemble, and recycle or dispose of your old PC appropriately, saving you lots of time and money. Give us a call on 1-888-888-JUNK to learn more about our computer disposal process. We are eagerly waiting for that call!

 

Effects of E-Waste That Is Not Handled By a Full Service Junk Removal on Different Elements

The world produces over 50 million tons of electronic waste {e-waste} annually. These numbers are not surprising, with most tasks now being handled by gadgets and more advanced gadgets being produced almost daily. E-waste encompasses all the scrap produced by discarded electronic devices that are no longer useful. These include consumer electronics like cellphones, office electronics like printers, lighting devices, power tools, home appliances, and sports equipment like gaming consoles.

Like the rest of the world, residents of Sonoma, California, are, of course, buying new gadgets almost daily and replacing their outdated or damaged appliances. Though there is nothing wrong with this, most see no need to properly dispose of the electronic appliances they no longer use through a full service junk removal company. People assume that you can simply get rid of a damaged electronic appliance by throwing it away in the trash.

Unlike the other forms of waste that end up in landfills around Sonoma, e-waste contains hazardous elements like zinc, lead, chromium, barium, and flame retardants, among others. These have significant detrimental effects on different aspects. Here is a look at the impact of e-waste on a few things.

Pile of Ewaste

Air

Air pollution occurs when you dismantle, shred or melt the materials used for electronics. This releases toxins like dioxins and dust particles into the air. Air pollution from the byproducts of e-waste has been linked to cancers and chronic respiratory diseases. Unfortunately, these byproducts can travel for miles because they are fine particles and will thus have detrimental effects on large geographical locations. They have also been linked to hydrocarbons that add to the greenhouse effect, which worsens global warming.

The effects of air pollution attributed to e-waste are worse in some animal species than in others because of specific mutations. Over time, continued air pollution changes the biodiversity of different regions while causing irreversible negative changes to water bodies, plants, and soil. In some places with high air levels of lead, large sea animals, humans, and wildlife have suffered extensive neurological damage.

Soil

As e-waste breaks down, its components seep into the soil from whence they contaminate groundwater and crops. When crops absorb the toxins produced by e-waste, these often end up in the digestive systems of the wildlife and humans that feed on them. Other than the diseases caused in wildlife and humans, the toxins also reduce the productivity of farmland.

The extent of soil contamination by e-waste depends on the weight and size of the particles released by its dismantling, shredding, or burning. It also depends on the soil type, soil composition, PH levels, and environmental temperatures. Unfortunately, the pollutants from e-waste remain in the soil for a long time.

e-waste recycling

Water

Though water is often contaminated from the contaminants that leak to groundwater through the soil, there are times when people directly dispose of their waste into water bodies. Though this seems like an inexpensive alternative to full service junk removal for your home or business, the appliances slowly disintegrate with their chemicals dissolving in the water. The water, in turn, flows into lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds.

The toxification and acidification created in water bodies by disintegrated e-waste like lithium, barium, lead, and mercury affect fresh and marine water organisms, harm ecosystems, and disturb biodiversity. Moreover, they cause skin and digestive issues to the people and animals who drink, cook with, or swim in the contaminated water. Unfortunately, when acidification is present, the damage to ecosystems is often irreversible.

Plants

Plants need adequate air and water for them to thrive. Most of them are exposed to the air and water sources contaminated by e-waste. Depending on the levels of toxins from the air and water, some plants die while others have low yields.

The ones that end up as food for man or animals introduce the toxin into their digestive systems and significantly affect their health. At times, these plants become poisonous and cause the deaths of animals and humans. The low yields and death of plants exposed to toxins place the world at significant risk of starvation.

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Humans

People that come into contact with the toxic chemicals released by e-waste can develop debilitating physical and neurological conditions over time. The toxins from e-waste will enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption.

Developmental issues, kidney damage, asthmatic bronchitis, DNA mutations, muscle weakness, hormone imbalance, and lowered immunity are a few health issues associated with improper disposal of e-waste. Some of these conditions are challenging and expensive to treat. However, a large number of the conditions are sadly untreatable.

Even with a knowledge of the above effects of e-waste that is not correctly disposed of, responsibility for its management is often tossed around. Most people think that governments are not doing enough to manage e-waste. Even so, proper e-waste management starts with you.

full service junk removal

Rather than throw away a cellphone, household appliance, or computer that you are not using in the trash, contact a full service junk removal company like Junk King Sonoma. This makes a big difference in the amount of e-waste that ends up in the wrong place and, therefore, reduces the above effects.

Junk King Sonoma will sort your trash into what can be donated and recycled before the rest is properly disposed of by specialized companies. The costs of e-waste disposal are surprisingly affordable because they are primarily based on the size of your appliance. Contact us for more information.

Junk King Sonoma
1364 N. McDowell Blvd Ste 8
Petaluma, CA 94954
Hours: M-Sa: 8A-4P

Providing junk removal services to the Sonoma area, including:

Annapolis
Cloverdale
Cotati
Fulton
Geyserville
Glen Ellen
Graton
Healdsburg
Kenwood
Penngrove
Petaluma
Rohnert Park
Santa Rosa
Sebastopol
Sonoma
Windsor
and these nearby zip codes:
94926, 94927, 94928, 94931, 94951, 94952, 94953, 94954, 94955, 94975, 94999, 95401, 95402, 95403, 95404, 95405, 95406, 95407, 95409, 95412, 95425, 95439, 95441, 95442, 95444, 95448, 95452, 95472, 95473, 95476, 95492