Best Practices for Recycling Electronics in Edmonton, Alberta

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Recycling electronic devices is a rapidly growing and evolving industry, with around 50-60 million tons generated annually. E-waste refers to any discarded electronic device or component, from smartphones and laptops to kitchen appliances and televisions. The rate the we create new electronics and dispose of old ones makes e-waste the fastest growing waste stream in the world, equalling 2-3% of all waste world wide. As consumers, we must be aware of great concerns in the world of electronics recycling.

With less than 20% of all e-waste generated each year being properly recycled, we need to improve our day-to-day practices. Working to reduce our e-waste, reusing and donating devices when possible, and becoming knowledgeable about who is recycling and where the electronic devices are going have never been so important.

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Navigating the World of E-Waste: Best Practices for Recycling Electronics

With smart devices, in addition to many other electronic devices, becoming so common in our daily lives, it is more important now than ever before to adopt better practices for recycling electronic devices.

So what are some of the best practices for electronics recycling?

Keep your Batteries out of the Landfill

Many of us have never thought much about what happens to batteries when we’re done with them. But with new smartphones, laptops, tablets, and many other devices now using lithium-ion batteries, the risks are much more significant if they’re not recycled properly. First off, there are risks of the batteries being compacted in the garbage truck when picked up. Because garbage trucks compact the garbage they haul, there is a great risk that batteries will be crushed in the process. This can cause a fire within the truck.

If the batteries make it to the landfill, there is a risk that toxic chemicals leak into the landfill and pollute it. Additionally, with the use of heavy equipment to process materials at the landfill, there is a risk of puncturing these batteries, which can cause them to explode. When lithium-ion batteries light on fire, they are extremely difficult to extinguish. Where a normal can be “suffocated” with extinguishers, the chemicals in these batteries require a specific approach to contain the fire.

The best practice is to store batteries separately in your home and recycle them at a local eco station when you’re ready to dispose of them. For devices like phones, tablets, and computers with built-in batteries, be sure to separate these for recycling as well!

Send your Electronics to a Licensed Recycler

Whether you’re dropping off e-waste at an independent recycler or a city-run Eco-Station, it’s important that the recycler uses proper and best practices. Unfortunately, 75-80% of worldwide e-waste is shipped overseas into Asia and Africa, often to be processed in poor and marginalized communities. In many of these regions, severe health and environmental consequences can occur without appropriate equipment and safety processes.

Be sure to ask questions when you drop your goods off. Many organizations will have detailed information on their website and municipalities should be able to provide you with the name of the organization they are partnered with.

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Understanding E-Waste: What It Is and Why It Matters

E-waste can come in many shapes and sizes, but typically items fall into one of several categories.

• Large Equipment/Appliances (Washing machines, copiers/printers, dishwashers, etc.)
• Small Equipment/Appliances (Toys, hand-held vacuums, microwaves, etc.)
• TV Screens and Computer Monitors
• Temperature Control Equipment (Heaters, fans, etc.)
• IT, Telecommunications, Computers and Smart Devices (Phones, tablets, GPS’s, etc.)

Environmental Impact of E-Waste

Recycling electronic devices matters because of the materials they’re built with. Many of these e-waste items contain toxic materials such as mercury, lead, cadmium and beryllium. When these items are improperly disposed of or poorly recycled, these materials can leak into the soil and groundwater, causing harm to our environment.

Recycling electronic devices can recover many valuable resources, including gold, silver, copper and palladium. Unfortunately, many of these materials never get properly recovered when improper recycling facilities deconstruct or burn e-waste. Another consequence of these actions is that mining these raw materials for the production of new electronics is quite costly and invasive to our earth. The energy-intensive production process of electronics contributes significantly to carbon emissions and resource depletion. This is why proper electronics recycling is so important.

Best Practices for Reducing Electronic Waste

Extending the Lifespan of Your Electronics

Although many modern smart devices are built for planned obsolescence, we can always do more to extend their lifespan. Simple maintenance tasks, such as cleaning dust from vents and updating software regularly, can help prolong the usability of smartphones, laptops, and other electronic gadgets.

Consider Repairing Instead of Replacing

When faced with failing electronics, consider repairing them instead of replacing them outright. Many issues, such as cracked screens or battery problems, can be fixed at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new device. Some repairs may be DIY-friendly, and others you can simply take to one of many repair stores or kiosks. Repairing electronics is a great way to reduce e-waste creation.

Donate or Sell Unwanted Electronics

If you no longer need one of your electronic devices and they are still in functioning condition, rather than disposing of them or recycling them, consider donating or selling them on a local marketplace. Many organizations will accept gently used electronics for community programs or refurbishment. If you’re looking to cash in on your old device, marketplaces or trade-in programs might be your best bet. There are often alternatives for your old electronics that are much better than simply disposal and can divert them from landfills.

Electronics Recycling

If the item cannot be reused or repurposed, recycling electronic devices is your best option. Often, electronic recycling won’t cost you any money. This is often because the recycler will recover the valuable materials to resell and cover its operating costs. Some recyclers may even offer pick-up services, so be sure to call around if you have a sizeable collection of e-waste.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Recycling Your Electronic Devices

If you’re looking for a guide of how to recycle your old electronics, we’ve got you covered!

1. Assess and Collect—As you “retire” older electronics in your home, be sure to separate them from your regular waste items. Collect items together in a box or a bag and store them until you’re ready to drop them off at a recycling depot or eco station. We also recommend storing your used batteries together in a bag and dropping them off with your e-waste.
2. Find a Recycler – When ready to drop your e-waste off, be sure to check for local recyclers. A quick Google search will show you local options for either drop off or pick up. If working directly with the recycler isn’t an option, you can also check out Edmonton’s Eco Stations located around the City. The City will collect large amounts of e-waste and arrange for transport to an approved recycler for processing.
3. Prepare your Electronics for Recycling – Once your items are collected, take some time to remove any personal data from phones, tablets and computers. When ready, arrange for pick-up and/or drop-off. Residents in Edmonton are able to drop off e-waste (anything with a cord or a battery) for free at Eco Stations. If you can’t drop these items off yourself, Junk 4 Good can easily help. Our staff will do all the hard work and recycling on your behalf.
4. Feel Good! Now you can feel good! You’ve done your part in reducing pollutants and helping to recycle important materials.

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Electronics Recycling FAQ’s

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