Though we are all urged to recycle our cans and bottles, we sometimes forget that it is just as important to recycle our electronics. Although it may seem trivial, the recycling of electronics can help reduce the amount of harmful substances that are released into our ecosystems as well as encourage more sustainable facets of manufacturing goods that do not involve solely consuming raw materials.

In an effort to encourage the recycling efforts, some companies even offer incentives to recycling your electronics. Companies like Dell provide a discount on a new computer if you bring in your old PC and monitor upon purchasing. Other companies are solely dedicated to purchasing used electronics based on their condition and other factors. Instead of throwing electronics away, these incentives provide a reason to choose to recycle.

In addition to incentive programs, there are many other reasons to select recycling rather than simply tossing out your old computer. For example, toxic substances such as lead and mercury can be found in electronic parts. When these devices go to the landfill rather than being recycled, these harmful substances can negatively impact our environment and lives. Fumes released into the air from burned electronic parts can be even more toxic.

Sadly, less than 16 percent of all electronic devices are recycled. This means that among computer products, televisions and cell phones, more than 1.8 million tons end up in landfills. In addition to being a large waste, this has devastating impacts on our environment. Future generations will have to answer to these problems even if we cannot see them for ourselves. This reason alone gives us reason to try to be more conservation minded.

With so many options for recycling available, it should be a no-brainer choice especially when you could get paid for that old piece of junk sitting in your garage. Instead of wasting your electronics and hurting the environment and ultimately yourself in the long run, recycle you’ll thank yourself in the long run when it pays off.

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