How to dispose of electronic waste

How to dispose of electronic waste

On average we purchase three new electronic devices every year, but do you know how to properly recycle or dispose of the devices properly?

For our latest post, DP Skip Hire will provide you with all the advice you need about disposing of old or defunct electrical devices.

Why is electronic waste so bad?

When you hire a skip, sometimes a lot of items added are electronic waste, which is made up of thousands of tiny components that function in specific ways.

It is the complex construction that makes them so difficult to get rid of plus many emit toxic chemicals if left unchecked. Their man-made nature means electronic devices don’t degrade the same way as food waste. Electronics cannot simply be incinerated either, as it releases lead, cadmium, toxic dioxins and furans into the atmosphere.

This kind of toxicity is what makes electronic waste so troublesome, and one of the main reasons they cannot be treated in regular recycling plants.

How to find a new home for electrical waste

Here at DP Skip Hire, we know that there are plenty of uses for old laptops and Kindle devices to save them from being disposed of inefficiently.

The most obvious option is resale, although you should not expect too much for them. Do not discount accessories such as batteries, chargers, keyboards and computer mice.

If you cannot sell them, consider donating them to a local charity shop that may be able to find a new home for them.

Efficient electronics disposal

Batteries are the best example of electronic waste that can be easily recycled plus specialised plants dedicated to this purpose. Some supermarkets even provide bins to dispose of your spent batteries. Local recycling centres will often accept small electrical items such as lightbulbs or they will be able to point you in the right direction.

If your electronics are broken beyond repair, some manufacturers will make a point of providing recycling services for their own products. We would recommend saving a skip hire for bulkier or more easily recyclable materials.

Need more information? Get in touch

If you need any more information about disposing of electronics safely, please do not hesitate to contact DP Skip Hire now.