How To Recycle Monitor?
Whether you’re into gaming and need the fastest refresh rates technology can provide, or you have one of the first LCD monitors from 15 years ago gathering dust in your garage, there are only a few ethical ways to approach computer monitor recycling.
Why Should You Recycle Computer Monitors?
The most important reason that everyone should properly and safely recycle computer monitors is down to the fact that they can do a lot of damage to the environment if they end up in a landfill. But there are also a lot of valuable materials that can be used in the production of new electronics without having to rely on mining operations that further destroy the environment.
Here are the main benefits of recycling computer monitors:
Reduce Toxic Materials - Even the newest computer displays can contain small amounts of toxic materials that can do harm to the environment and human health.
Limit Greenhouse Gasses - A lot of e-waste and plastic ends up in developing countries where it’s burnt, releasing toxic and greenhouse gasses.
Reuse Raw Materials - Monitors contain a lot of metals like copper and gold, as well as rare earth metals that are ideal for entering the cycle economy.
Reduce Mining Efforts - By reusing and recycling plastic and metals, it hugely reduces the need for harmful mining operations.
What Materials/Parts Can You Retrieve From Computer Monitors
The important thing to keep in mind is that there are reusable materials, and those that can’t be extracted but are highly toxic.
For example, those old CRT monitors often contain lead in the glass, and it’s not feasible to extract it fully. And lead is also a material that is no longer used in electronics because of its toxicity.
These older monitors also contain a lot of copper and steel that can be recycled and used for a wide range of different new electronics.
On the other hand, modern computer displays will contain copper, steel, gold, and platinum. And even if these are only there in small quantities, they quickly add up, considering the millions of pounds of e-waste that accumulates every single year.
You also need to account for the different types of plastic contained in monitors, and a lot of these can be recycled to make new plastic components.
How to Recycle Computer Monitors?
E-Waste Recyclers
Registered and certified recycling providers are the best way to deal with monitors that no longer work. If it can’t be fixed, then you have to make sure that it doesn’t end up in a landfill or a container on the way to a developing country.
E-waste recycling providers will have all the technology and machines necessary to break down monitors into all the different parts to then recycle or safely dispose of them.
Municipal Authorities
If you search for “computer monitor recycling near me,” you’ll probably find a load of municipal recycling centers that will accept all kinds of electronic devices, including old and new monitors.
Some of these will accept your devices for free, but you might also be charged a small amount. It’s best to call them first to ensure they take the type of monitor you want to recycle.
Manufacturer Take-Back Programs
Due to public pressure and many new regulations and legislation, a lot of manufacturers have introduced their own recycling programs where they will accept all of their old devices back.
What you can do is head to the manufacturer's website of your TV and look up their take-back program. These companies often partner with major retailers, so you might be able to drop off your old TV while buying a new one.
Donation
If your TV is still working and isn’t one of those old tube TVs, then many charity stores will likely take these in.
Not only will your donation help the charity raise important funds, but these charities often sell to people who can’t afford the latest technology, and this is a way for them to get access to more affordable options.
Selling
And finally, if you have a pretty new TV, then I would suggest that you might want to advertise it for sale. A quick ad on CraigsList or in your local paper will likely get enough inquiries to turn it into cash for your new TV.
This also helps to increase the usable life of TVs, which reduces their environmental impact substantially.
Where to Recycle Computer Monitors?
Drop-off Recycling (For Individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area)
If you live in the Bay Area, then the easiest thing you can do is drop your TV off at our recycling center.
Simply fill out the form online and determine whether your devices fit into the free or paid-for recycling category.
Then drop off your TV and receive a receipt to confirm that you have safely disposed of it
Business Recycling Pickup (For Businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area)
For businesses in the Bay Area that might have multiple TVs and other technology for recycling, our team also offers a collection service. What you need to do is separate and weigh all your recycling and fill out a simple form.
We will then invoice you and arrange a convenient pick-up date and time that suits you.
Mail-in Recycling (US-Wide Service)
For people who don’t live close enough to our GreenCitizen Eco Center, we also offer a mail-in service.
You fill out a form with details of the device and then choose a delivery service that will suit you.
It’s ideal for people who don’t have a certified recycling service close by.
Green Directory (US-Wide Service)
And finally, if you want to find a registered and certified recycling provider near you to drop off your TV, then use our Green Directory.
You simply add your zip code and the kind of device you want to recycle, and you’ll receive a list of all the closest options.
DISCLOSURE *: GreenCitizen is passionate about making every day Earth Day for the people and businesses we serve. We introduce only those green products and services that we believe can help our customers reduce waste and environmental damage. We participate in Amazon Associates and other affiliate programs that earn us fees when site visitors follow certain links. We’re committed to using all such revenues to increase our efforts toward making every day Earth Day.
