Have a closet filled with old, unused, out of date electronics? Preston Gralla of ComputerWorld has some tips to help clear out your e-waste responsibly:
”The worst thing you can do is to simply throw it in the trash. Electronic equipment is often filled with heavy metals and hazardous chemicals, posing serious environmental and health hazards. Not only is tossing it away with the rest of your garbage dangerous, but depending on where you live, it may be illegal as well.”
(Click here to read How to recycle your phone, PC and other tech gear)
In Canada, many provinces have organizations that deal with the collection and safe disposal of e-waste. For example, in Ontario it’s Ontario Electronic Stewardship. Retailers sometimes also hold local collection events.
I know it’s something I need to look into. I recently cleaned out my closet, and the haul included an old VCR and DVD player, a bulky 13″ television, three old cell phones and an IBM ThinkPad. Yes, I said IBM. It’s that old. Bought it at the IBM Store at the Pacific Centre mall in Vancouver. (Forgive me for buying direct, channel friends, I didn’t know any better…)