Ready to get rid of electronics? Here’s how to properly dispose of them in Delaware

Where do old electronics go? 

Some people may end up with a pile of outdated cell phones in a drawer or even tossed in the bin on trash day. Eventually, these neglected devices end up in city landfills, leaching harmful chemicals into the environment and letting precious materials like gold or copper sit idle and unused.

Discarding electronics becomes trash known as e-waste, a soaring issue across the globe. The problem? E-waste is becoming the largest growing stream of municipal waste, and the United States alone produces around 7 million metric tons of e-waste, according to the Global E-Waste Statistics Partnership. 

Luckily, there’s something Delaware residents can do about the growing problem right in their hometowns: properly recycling their electronics. 

There are over nine places to responsibly recycle e-waste and charitable opportunities like donating to nonprofit organizations across the state. Here’s a guide to places in Delaware where you can responsibly dispose of old, unused tech.

What role does Delaware play in reducing e-waste?

Although the threat of e-waste is growing, Delaware has some answers. It starts with the residents. 

The state offers a few options for residents to do their part in keeping e-waste out of their landfills, from free drop-off events to convenient recycling centers across the state. 

The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) hosts free Saturday Collection Events which rotate around the state for residents to conveniently drop off their unused electronics at no cost. A schedule for these events can be found on DSWA’s website. 

There are also multiple recycling centers across the state that will take most electronics, like TVs, computers, phones and even small household appliances. Some of the tech given to these facilities that are still salvageable have their data securely wiped and then are refurbished, giving new life to devices that would otherwise be sitting in a landfill. 

How can Delaware residents use e-waste recycling to give back to their neighbors?

Local IT recycling center, NerdIT Now, not only offers drop-off and pick-up services for recycling electronics, but it also recently began offering weekly warehouse sales to the community. 

At NerdIT Now, residents can purchase refurbished electronics that have been donated to and repaired by the recycling center.

The nonprofit also accepts donations. NerdIT Cares, a free technology workforce development program, offers free training and hands-on learning experiences. Donations made here will go to the students in their program to learn how to repair and build tech. 

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 are no longer functional, many are still working or salvageable electronics 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. Despite piling up in our landfills and its inability to decompose, 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 waste” due to the dangerous materials found in electronics like mercury and lead. 

These toxic materials require a specialized disposal process to prevent environmental and health risks to communities. When improperly disposed of, they can leak into the soil below landfills, also known as “leaching,” which can pollute the soil, groundwater and freshwater nearby. Leaching can not only pollute drinking water from natural wells but it also harms local wildlife.  

E-waste doesn’t just contain harmful materials. It also contains precious materials like gold and copper, which can be recovered and reused to make new products.

For example, big tech company Dell Technologies has its own recovery and recycling services where it refurbishes and repairs older electronics while recovering and reusing any materials (including plastic) from out-of-use tech to make into new devices.

Why does it cost money to recycle e-waste?

Properly recycling e-waste is more than just emptying your trash into a bin. It’s an intricate process requiring specialized equipment and staff to properly handle materials and hazardous chemicals in the electronics. 

For example, some 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 is especially helpful for businesses or commercial spaces looking to recycle old computers or hardware and want to protect sensitive data. 

Some companies like LoadUp Junk Removal will pick up your recycling from your doorstep or business, taking it off your hands for a small fee. Some electronic store chains, like Staples, will also take in your unwanted e-waste for free and even give a discount on future purchases. 

What’s the process for recycling e-waste?

The process for recycling e-waste depends on the electronics and the service the facility offers. However, the standard process starts with sorting the different components, such as metals, plastics and hazardous materials. Then, the metals are smelted down to be reused, plastics are recycled and hazardous materials are safely disposed of.

Some companies also offer repair services and will give old electronics a new life. They also may provide data destruction or wiping services, which they’ll do 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 

However, it’s important to check with your local center about the materials they accept. Some facilities don’t accept materials like batteries, lightbulbs, air conditioners and refrigerators.

How can we generate less e-waste?

One of the most important steps to reducing e-waste is being mindful of electronic consumption. For instance, you can extend the life of your devices by opting to repair them rather than buy brand-new ones.

Plus, most electronics, like cell phones and laptops, can be easily refurbished and updated to work longer. Consider buying pre-owned or refurbished devices rather than new ones, which tend to be cheaper than brand-new models. 
Another great way to generate less e-waste is to encourage your company to properly recycle its e-waste. Some companies, like East Coast Electronics Recycling., will accept or pick up commercial and large-scale e-waste from businesses, keeping thousands of pounds of e-waste out of landfills.