There are many ways you can do your part by helping the environment and recycling your old electronics. There are many people who need electronics like kitchen appliances and cell phones that could use your old ones that still work. If you have electronics that still work, then donate them to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or other organization that accepts electronics to either give away to others or sell at an inexpensive price. You can list your items on Craigslist for free, under the free section for someone else who may need it. For example, an old refrigerator or stove can be given away for free and someone else can make use of it. As for old cell phones, instead of throwing them away in the trash, you can donate them to a couple of different charities. Some charities give them to women who are battered and in need of a cell phone. Use your phone to help victims of violence. The Support Network for Battered Women (SNBW) re-programs cellular phones to call emergency personnel. These phones are distributed to victims of domestic abuse. SNBW provides shipping materials and free postage. There are also boxes set up at several locations, including many Verizon stores, where you can drop your cell phone off to donate. You could also donate your phone to the American Kidney Fund. Also, you can donate a phone for an elderly person. See these links for more information:
http://www.kidneyfund.org/give-now/donate-your-old-cell-phone/
http://www.snbw.org/donate.htm
http://www.phones4life.org/donate.php
http://www.911cellphonebank.com/donate.asp
Examine your state’s recycling program to determine options for recycling your electronics. Most states with comprehensive recycling programs have partnerships with third-party vendors who can receive your electronics at designated drop-off points.
You could also sell your electronics to a second-hand store in your community as a way to earn some money from recycling. Video-game stores, record shops and other places that sell used products offer opportunities to cut the costs of new electronics.
Call your manufacturer. Many manufacturers will take your old computer or cell phone and refurbish the item(s) and remarket or donate it to the community. See in-store recycling programs. Many retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City, and Staples sponsor recycling events where customers can drop off their items. If you have an old computer, donate it to someone if it still works or can be fixed. If not, you can always donate the parts of it to local computer retailers. Green Citizen offers recycling services; check out their web site at: http://www.greencitizen.com/
The Daily Green web site has a really good article on how to recycle several different electronics. The article is located at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/computer-recycling-electronics-recycling-461219
