Tips for Households on Reducing Electronic Wastes 

Buy and Use Electronics for the Long Term
Waste results when we discard items that have exceeded their usefulness. Ways to prevent this fate for household electronics include: 

• Buying electronic products that will last your family a long time. Buying the cheapest can sometimes mean buying the most disposable. Look for products with lengthy warranties as an indication of long-term quality. 
• Repair broken units rather than discard them. Computers, televisions, VCRs and other electronic devices can often be repaired if malfunctioning. Look in the local yellow pages for repair services. Consider purchasing an extended warranty to cover future repair costs. 
• Upgrade computers rather than buy a new one. Adding RAM, changing software or conducting other upgrades can make your current computer last longer. 

Many electronic product manufacturers, retailers and recyclers have joined the U.S. EPA in a new initiative, called the Plug-In To eCycling Campaign. The combined efforts of these groups will make Americans more aware of the great value in reusing and recycling used electronic equipment, from household appliance to mobile phones to office computers, and provides them with more and easier opportunities to recycle their used goods. 

Donation
Many electronics can still offer valuable service when a household decides to discard them. It is very important to give only usable products to nonprofits or charities – you don’t want to leave them with an expensive disposal problem! Check to make sure what equipment is accepted before taking products to the charity, school or nonprofit of your choice.

• Goodwill, Salvation Army and other traditional charities will accept certain electronic devices for resale. 
• Functioning equipment may be useful to community groups or schools. 
• Functioning TVs, VCRs, stereos and CD players may also be useful to local nonprofits, churches or schools. 
• Some local government recycling programs in North Carolina have “swap shops” that help citizens exchange usable items. Contact your local recycling officials to explore this option or other possible donation options. 

Recycle
As a first option, when buying a new electronic product, ask your vendor to take your old one as part of the deal.

Some cities and counties are beginning to provide services for electronics. Contact your city and county recycling offices to learn more.

See other options for recycling electronic materials.