Baltimore residents can eliminate e-waste. Here’s how.

When the latest upgrades come in, old and unused electronics like cell phones and laptops end up out of sight and out of mind. Whether they’re kept in a drawer or thrown away in regular trash bins, they contribute to a growing problem. 

The threat of electronic waste, or e-waste, looms ever larger as the world’s largest growing stream of municipal waste, and Baltimore is no exception to the role. 

Luckily, the city has made efforts to reduce its e-waste by allowing residents to recycle their electronics properly or donate them to neighbors in need. These strides help keep e-waste out of the city’s landfills. 

The Baltimore area has over nine facilities to recycle e-waste and even more where it can be donated. Here’s a guide to places in the Baltimore region where you can responsibly dispose of idle tech.

What role does the City of Baltimore play in reducing e-waste?

While it’s not illegal to throw away unwanted electronics in regular trash or recycling bins, Baltimore strongly discourages it due to e-waste’s potential to harm the environment. 

The city has several recycling centers where residents can drop off their electronics so they can be properly recycled. This prevents them from being stuck in landfills and leaching harmful chemicals into the environment.

The State of Maryland also requires electronics manufacturers who want to sell within the state to register with its Department of the Environment (MDE) for a fee. Manufacturers can qualify for a reduced fee if they offer Maryland residents free takeback programs to send back their end-of-life devices, which keeps them out of the waste stream. 

Big box and large tech companies like Amazon, Best Buy and Google also offer these takeback programs. A full list of registered manufacturers can be found on the MDE’s website.

How does Baltimore use e-waste recycling to bridge its digital divide?

Recycling e-waste can go beyond just shredding and scrapping old electronics. There are opportunities in Baltimore to help close the digital divide by providing neighbors with tech. 

Around 75,000 households in Baltimore don’t have access to a laptop or computer, while about 40% lack wireline internet service, according to a report by the Abell Foundation. These gaps can create barriers for residents when accessing education, employment and healthcare. 

Neighbors can donate their unwanted electronics to PCs For People, a nonprofit tech refurbisher that helps close the gaps for residents currently disconnected from technology. Donated devices get refurbished into working tech before being distributed to low-income residents in need. 

Elsewhere, electronics with some life left in them can be donated to a charity or reuse organization, where they’ll be given to a new home with a resident in need. Baltimore County offers a directory of organizations that take electronic donations.

What is e-waste?

E-waste, short for “electronic waste,” is unwanted or discarded pieces of electronics, such as old cell phones, computers and even kitchen appliances. While some devices no longer function, many are still operable or salvageable that could otherwise be repaired, donated or resold.

In 2019, Americans generated over 6.9 million tons of e-waste, but only 15% of it was recycled. E-waste can be especially dangerous to our environment due to the toxic chemicals found within electronics. 

Why is recycling e-waste through the proper channels so important? 

The typical single-stream system of putting all household recycling in a curbside bin every week isn’t enough to process e-waste properly. E-waste is categorized as “hazardous” due to dangerous materials like mercury and lead. 

These toxic components require a specialized process to prevent environmental and health risks. When improperly disposed of, this waste can leak into the soil below landfills; then, through a process known as “leaching,” it can pollute the soil, groundwater and fresh water nearby. Leaching not only risks polluting drinking water from natural wells but also harms local wildlife.  

E-waste doesn’t just contain harmful materials, though: Precious materials like gold and copper can be recovered and reused to make new products.

Dell Technologies does a version of this through its own recovery and recycling services. The company refurbishes and repairs older electronics while recovering and repurposing any materials (including plastic) from out-of-use tech into new devices.

Why does recycling e-waste cost money?

Properly recycling e-waste involves more than just emptying your trash into a bin. The intricate process requires specialized equipment and staff to properly handle the electronics’ hazardous chemicals and materials.

For example, devices like old computer monitors require an additional method to safely recycle because toxic components can pose a risk to employees.

Some companies also charge for data wiping and removal from devices before shredding or recycling to protect customer privacy. This especially helps businesses or commercial spaces looking to recycle old computers or hardware while protecting sensitive information.  

Organizations like LoadUp Junk Removal will pick up recycling from your doorstep or business for a small fee. Electronic store chains like Best Buy and Staples will also take in your unwanted e-waste for free and even offer a discount on future purchases. 

What’s the process for recycling e-waste?

The exact steps depend on the electronics and the service the facility offers. The standard process starts with sorting the different components, such as metals, plastics and hazardous materials. Metals then get smelted down to be reused, while plastics are recycled and hazardous materials are safely discarded.

Some companies offer repair services to give old electronics a new life. They may additionally provide data destruction or wiping services before repairing or recycling. 

What types of e-waste can usually be recycled?

Most electronics can be recycled through the proper recycling centers, including:

• Cellphones 
• Computers/laptops/monitors
• CD/DVD players 
• Gaming systems and equipment
• Keyboards and mice 
• Printers
• Small kitchen appliances, like toasters or microwaves
• Stereos
• Tablets
• TVs
• Rechargeable batteries 

Check with your local center about the materials they accept. Some facilities don’t take in materials like batteries, lightbulbs, air conditioners and refrigerators.

How can we generate less e-waste?

One of the most important steps is to be mindful of electronic consumption. For instance, you can extend the life of your devices by opting to repair them instead of buying brand-new ones.

Since most electronics can be easily refurbished and updated to work longer, consider purchasing pre-owned or refurbished devices, which tend to be cheaper than fresh models. 
Another great way to generate less e-waste is by encouraging your employer to properly recycle its e-waste. Companies like STS Electronic Recycling will accept commercial and large-scale e-waste from businesses, keeping thousands of pounds of toxic materials out of landfills.