When Your Favorite Electronics Become Electronic Waste

For those born after 1980 the world has always been filled with electronics such as cell phones, handheld games, and MP3 players. And electronic waste.

The problem is that we become quite attached to our devices and gadgets, and we hate seeing them become broken or obsolete. But what is worse is having to get rid of them afterwards.

The Dark Side of the Wonderful World of Electronics

For those of us who are less 40 years old, all we've ever known is a world where handheld devices and electronic gadgets were the norm. For all intents and purposes, laptops and PCs have always existed and we struggle to imagine a world without smartphones.

And, while that may be a bit of hyperbole, it does serve to underscore the point that we live in a society where electronics are ubiquitous and seemingly a part of everything.

Which means that so is electronic waste.

There was a time not too long ago when just about anything that was an electronic device would be placed in the household trash once it no longer worked. Except for maybe the family TV - they were often far too large and heavy to fit into the garbage cans.

Which was  good thing given the fact that prior to the year 2005 or so, most televisions in homes were still the cathode ray tube, or CRT, types. In fact, the now-common flat screen TVs and monitors didn't become generally affordable before that even though they were available as early as the 1990s. 

According to an LA Times article from 1999,

"Current prices range from $11,000 to $25,000, which is more than most people are likely to spend for a TV set. Even if prices drop, as analysts predict, flat TVs would still cost $6,500 by 2000 and $2,000 by 2003--while 95% of all sets sold in the $8-billion U.S. television market are under 27 inches wide and cost less than $1,000..."

Small wonder the flat screens didn't take off right away. As one source points out, adjusted for inflation, $25,000 in 1999 would be equal to $42,526 in 2022! Today you can easily pick up a 40 inch flat screen television/monitor for under $200. 

So, most of those millions of old CRT televisions that were still in the homes that most of us grew up in through the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s hit their end-of-life period long ago and have been disposed of.

And, unfortunately, most of them ended up in our landfills. Complete with two to five pounds of toxic lead and, in the color units, significant amounts of mercury. 

In fact, many electronics contain mercury. Today, according to Science Direct, some of the toxic metals used in electronics include antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, indium, lead, mercury, nickel, and thallium.

Which is just one reason why proper disposal of electronic waste is so critical.

Show Your Favorite Old Electronics Some Love with E-Waste Recycling

Another development in the world of the 2020s is that many larger appliances have become types of "hybrid" electronics with so many smart features and other electronic components built into them. 

And the range and variety of personal electronics has exploded in the last two decades, as well. 

For example, who would have imagined in 1999 that we would take it for granted that people can have phone conversations with a "wristwatch" - not to mentions watch videos?

[Image courtesy of Museum of Sound}

Of course, maybe Dick Tracy...

And there are so many more innovative electronic tools, devices, gadgets, and equipment that fill our lives today that we could only dream of a generation ago. Yet, despite the advances in our technology, all of these come to an end-of-live and either cease working or become uselessly obsolete. 

And they have to be disposed of. 

The good news is that most every electronic device is made up of most recyclable materials. And the plastics, metals, and glass that contain the electronics are largely recyclable, as well. Which is why they should never - and cannot legally - be placed in the household garbage.

As one recycling facility says in their website,

"Almost all types of common electronics can be at least partially recycled, since they're made largely of metal. Cell phones, computers, tablets, printers, scanners, televisions, cameras, audio and video equipment, power tools, lamps and appliances such as microwaves, toasters and ovens are all generally recyclable."

More good news: many communities hold special collection drives and events for bringing all your unusable or unwanted old electronics and e-waste products for proper disposal. The goal is to either reuse or recycle as much of these items as possible. 

And the larger goal is reduce the amount of electronic waste ending up in landfills.

Of course, if you have Junk King come and remove your household waste, including your old electronics, we'll take care of the sorting and proper disposal for you.  And if you are a school, a non-profit, or commercial enterprise that needs to get rid of large quantities of old electronic equipment such as computers, monitors, printers, copiers, and so on, give Junk King a call.

Junk King - our brand colors may be gold and red, but we're "green" as well!

Electronics Recycling and E-Waste Removal with Junk King

If you are looking to properly remove and dispose of old electronics, simply call Junk King for an affordable, easy, and efficient solution for your e-waste recycling needs.

In fact, Junk King provides professional junk hauling services to remove ANY of your junk items, especially those old electronics that can be readily recycled along with anything else made with glass, metal, and plastic .

And along with your old electronics and other types of e-waste, we can even remove your excess household rubbish, trash, and garbage if you need it.

In fact, there is almost nothing we can't take.

No matter what your junk consists of, as long as it's not hazardous waste, Junk King can help you get it out of your way. We provide an eco-friendly junk removal service to help you get rid of any type of unwanted junk, including e-waste items and any old appliances.

Our professional and insured junk removal team will show up at your home or workplace, and we'll call 15 to 30 minutes before we arrive. Once there, we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your junk takes up in our truck.

You point and we haul your unwanted items into our junk removal trucks, with no hidden fees.

So, ready to have your electronics waste picked up for you? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3.

Make an appointment with us by booking online above or by calling 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).