Don’t Throw That Phone Away!
now that we’ve got your attention, let’s talk about electronic waste
Now that you’ve got a new TV, phone, computer, etc., what are you going to do with the old one? If it’s still functional, you might try selling it or giving it to a friend. But if it’s truly served out its usefulness, then it’s time to recycle it – but not in your curbside bin.
Part of buying electronics is responsibly disposing of them. Electronics contain chemicals that if broken and disposed of improperly are toxic and can pollute the environment. In addition, electronics consume rare earth metals. The process by which these metals are obtained is intensive and often environmentally impactful. Making sure your e-waste is recycled can help ensure any salvageable parts from your devices aren’t lost for good, and might be reused in the future as recycling technology improves.
There are places you can recycle your e-waste around Eau Claire, but if you’ve built up a pile of old tech in your basement (no judgment!) then you might want to look for one of the Electronics Collection Events. These events are subsidized by Eau Claire County, and held at First Choice Computer Recycling (525 Park Ridge Court, Eau Claire). During these special events, all e-waste is recycled for free for Eau Claire and Chippewa county residents, except exercise equipment and freon devices (AC, humidifiers, freezers, refrigerators). There are two collections events held annually in spring (May 21, 2022) and Fall (Sept. 17, 2022) so mark your calendars.
You can learn more about recycling e-waste in Eau Claire County at www.co.eau-claire.wi.us. Get the scoop on e-cycling statewide from the Wisconsin DNR.
