The addiction to electronics has reached an all-time high! Small children are walking around with their own cell phones. Families literally have dozens of electronic devices per household and have replaced dinnertime conversations with text messages and emails. It’s truly an epidemic. With all of this expensive electronic equipment floating around, there is undoubtedly an incredible demand for the materials that make that equipment. Recycling of electronics has become a big-time business that pays cold hard cash to those that embrace it.

Electronics Are More Valuable Than You May Think

We know that you cannot live without your cell phone. It is like a third arm for most people. Did you know that the materials used to make it are really quite valuable and include silver, gold, zinc, tin, palladium, copper, and platinum? Those are expensive materials that can be used to make more expensive things. Similarly, computers often contain enough copper to add up to five pounds! We all know how valuable copper is-people will steal it right off your home! It is not surprising that others want your electronics with such valuable materials hiding inside them. Think about it this way: A million recycled cell phones will produce approximately $2,000,000 in gold and more than $370,000 in silver. That’s a lot of money just lying around in our purses and pockets!

Show Me The $$$$$

There are companies that will collect used electronics and then turn around and sell the materials found inside to other industries that can use them. Websites like http://www.buybackworld.com make it easy to sell back used electronics. They give you an instant quote for your device, send you a prepaid shipping label, and provide payment in multiple forms once the item is received. You can also find local computer repair companies that will often pay for used computers that they then refurbish and sell to other customers. There are even convenient kiosks now in grocery stores that will take a used cell phone and provide instant cash back. Why not start off your grocery shopping trip with a little extra cash in your pocket?

Cell Phone Broke? Don’t Be Blue – Go Green!

If you aren’t interested in making money from your used electronic device, at the very least be smart about it and don’t just toss it into the trash. In almost every instance, electronic devices can be recycled to some extent and should be since they contain such precious, limited metals and materials. Computers can be recycled at computer repair stores or even big box stores like Best Buy. Want to do even more good? Donate old computers to local organizations that can use them such as World Computer Exchange.

Old VCR’s (yes, I said it….V-C-R) can be sold to collectors rather than tossed into a landfill. The harmful components of most electronics including lead and mercury do not belong in landfills to begin with!

Plastic companies love a good recycled television or MP3 player. They can use the plastic shell of the television to make lots of new plastic products. Another added benefit of recycling or donating these used devices? In some cases, they can be considered a tax write-off. For example, goods donated to Goodwill like computers or televisions are usually eligible for a tax deduction as a charitable donation.

Think Before You Toss

In some states such as New York, it is illegal to dispose of used electronic devices in the trash. Fines can be substantial for violators. Whether you live in a state that prohibits throwing away electronics or not, there are too many reasons to recycle, donate, or sell these items to ever lead to the decision to pitch them.

Be smart, Columbus. It’s a win-win for the planet and for you if you choose to smartly dispose of your used smart phone!

Drop off locations in Columbus? http://ohiodropoff.com/columbus.htm