Recycle your electronics.

Be honest! How many of you have old electronics collecting dust at home? Do you still have that old flip phone or that old video game system that's never been used? Do you properly dispose of your electronics? Most people do not know how to do this or lack motivation. Take the Pledge to RECYCLE!

This post and link provided above can help shed some light on "Recycling" electronics. I know we are are living in a fast pace world with the evolving technology today. All this change means more accumulation of electronic devices so it's important to understand where we are heading with our environment.

To help understand why we should care about recycling electronice I asked Amber Mac some questions. Amber Mac is a spokesperson for RecycleYourElectronics.ca and a leader in the Tech and Social Media space. She is well known for her expertise in these areas and speaks to many at various conferences. Here are her responses to my questions:

Why should our generation be motivated to recycle our electronics?

As technology advances, we see our generation constantly upgrading their electronic devices with newer gadgets. While it’s exciting to get our hands on the latest innovations, it’s really important to think about what happens to the electronics we’re replacing. We should be motivated to recycle because it helps divert waste from ending up in landfill. Most of the component parts of e-waste – like copper, plastics and precious metals – can actually be recovered and made into new products. What’s more, responsible disposal of electronics is good for us and the environment because it keeps nasty substances – like lead and mercury – out of our water ways and ecosystems. Ontario has recently diverted more than 100,000 tonnes of out-of-use electronics from landfill. That’s a big deal and something we’re building upon as we work towards the next 100,000 tonnes milestone.

Why do you think it's important to recycle our electronics?

Research suggests nine in ten Ontarians have at least one out-of-use electronic item and almost half have six or more. That’s a lot of devices when you consider more than 13 million people call Ontario home! Ontarians need to think about our out-of-use electronics in the same way they think about paper, plastic and glass –material that shouldn’t go to landfill, but that should be reused, recycled, or reclaimed. These items are not garbage. You can sell, gift, donate or recycle your unwanted items. Imagine if all of those gadgets ended up in landfill… it wouldn’t be a pretty picture!

Where do I go to deposit my electronics? What's the difference if I leave it curbside?

Recycleyourelectronics.ca is a great resource for everything you need to know about the safe and responsible reuse and recycling of electronics in Ontario. You’ll find a list of 44 items that can be reused or recycled and locate a drop-off centre that is approved by Ontario Electronic Stewardship by entering your postal code. It’s a simple, convenient and free service. Leaving items curbside brings consequences that people may not be aware of. For example, if not properly disposed of, e-waste may end up in landfill where substances of concern – including lead, cadmium and mercury – leach into our soil and water systems, causing harm to the environment. Identity theft is another risk. Personal data remains on most devices and if not properly handled or disposed of, you can potentially provide a stranger with sensitive information. There are exceptions. Certain municipalities offer a curbside pick-up for electronic waste. Ontarians should inquire locally to determine if such a service is available in their community.

Thanks to Amber Mac for answering my questions. I hope you learn a little more about RECYCLING your electronic devices. :-)