Why Recycling Electronics is So Important Electronic devices are everywhere these days. Everything from small wearable devices to large appliances can contain technology. Some homes are built from the ground up with electronic devices embedded in them to control the temperature, the blinds, and much more. While electronics are designed to last for quite some time, they can also break down or be damaged. When that happens, it’s often cheaper to replace them than it is to have them repaired. This, however, leads to electronic debris. Almost 7 million tons of electronic debris were created in the U.S. in 2019. While that’s a fairly small percentage of the overall amount of waste created, electronic debris is its own special type of trash. Almost all electronic devices contain precious metals, including palladium, copper, gold, and silver. A single smartphone doesn’t have that much of these materials in it, but 7 million tons of electronics do. In 2019, it’s estimated that almost 7.5 billion dollars worth of precious metals and other materials were thrown into the landfill. This is just one reason why recycling electronics is so important. Here are some other reasons why we need to recycle these devices and how Junk King can help you get your electronics to the recycling facility. Recycling Electronics Reduces the Need for Precious Metals Let’s continue talking about precious metals. Palladium, a metal that many people aren’t familiar with, is used in electrical contacts, watches, catalytic converters, surgical instruments, and more. According to mineral surveys, there are more than 6,700 million ounces of the metal in the current mines. This is why prices for palladium are typically over $2,000 per ounce. The amount of money lost, then can quickly add up. Fortunately, recycling a million smartphones recoups over 30 pounds of the metal. It also reuses over 70 pounds of gold, 700 pounds of silver, and 35,000 pounds of copper. The circuit boards found in computers, printers, smart appliances, phones, gaming devices, and other electronics are the primary location for these metals. In fact, there’s enough gold found in circuit boards that it’s actually more time-efficient to recycle them than it is to mine more gold. One ton of recycled circuit boards has, at minimum, about 40 times more gold in it than a ton of ore. The more electronics that are discarded and end up in the landfill, the higher the cost of new electronics will become. Eventually, some of these metals will become so rare that it may be impossible to create enough new devices to meet the demand. As technology continues to expand, we’re going to need more materials, which means recycling is going to become even more vital to the industry than it already is. It Protects the Environment Many electronics, especially older ones, contain hazardous materials that can greatly damage the soil if they leak into it. These materials include arsenic, mercury, and lead. An old CRT monitor or television, for example, can contain as much as eight pounds of lead. If it gets into the soil and into the water from there, it can become deadly. As other components in electronics break down, they can release various chemicals such as lithium that can also damage the soil and water. If any of these chemicals make it into the groundwater, they can eventually get into streams or lakes, killing the animals that rely on this water. Air pollution is another concern. Some landfills and other waste disposal locations incinerate the waste they receive. If electronics are burned, the plastics and other materials can release hazardous emissions. These emissions can be dangerous to humans and animals who breathe them in, plus they can also contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Electronic waste dumped in the ocean is another major issue. Electronics aren’t made from biodegradable materials, which means piles of these devices will quickly build up on the seabed. When chemicals are released from these devices, they can destroy the ecosystems of the surrounding waters. Junk King North Houston Collects and Recycles Electronics Another very easy way to recycle your electronic devices is to have Junk King Houston North haul them away. Our team collects electronic waste as well as old furniture, appliances, yard waste, construction debris, and other bulk trash. Instead of taking them to the dump, we sort out anything that can be donated or recycled. Electronics typically go in the recycling stack. We pass them along to a recycling center that knows how to remove personal data before breaking down the devices and recycling the materials within them. Junk King is dedicated to protecting the environment and reducing our carbon footprint. That’s why we donate and recycle as much of what we take in as possible. Overall, less than a third of all the trash we pick up goes to the landfill, and we’re always looking for ways to reduce that amount even more. Contact Junk King Today to Get Rid of Old Electronics and More Instead of letting old electronics take up space in drawers or closets, give Junk King a call. We’ll make sure they get to the right recycling facility. While they may not take up as much space as an old sofa or refrigerator, there’s still no need to hold on to stuff that doesn’t work. Call us at 1-888-888-JUNK or send us a text to 1-737-888-5865 to learn more about how Junk King protects the environment, get a free, no-obligation quote, and book a pickup time. Why Recycling Electronics is So Important