| Electronics items of all kinds are increasingly popular | | | | which cannot be disposed of safely through the |
| and increasingly common. Computers, music players, | | | | normal trash collection. Many plastic components are |
| game players, monitors, keyboards, cell phones, and | | | | coated with brominated flame retardants, another |
| other similar electronic gadgets are more than just | | | | group of toxic compounds. Many batteries contain |
| common. They are pervasive. Everyone has them. | | | | small amounts of lead and acid that can leach into the |
| Consumers are driven to purchase electronics for | | | | environment as the batteries age. These types of |
| various reasons. Some buyers are motivated by the | | | | items cannot be tossed into your household trash. |
| coolness factor. Some like to be seen by others as | | | | They must go to a recycling center specially |
| early adopters. Others simply enjoy the convenience | | | | equipped to handle such types of electronic or |
| or improvement in the quality of life these products | | | | hazardous waste. |
| bring. Whatever the reason, electronics products are | | | | Where do you find these recycling centers? Nearly |
| omnipresent and increasingly profitable for the | | | | every community has one nowadays. Your local city |
| companies that make them. Why? | | | | government office or city hall can provide you the |
| For one overriding reason. Obsolescence. | | | | information on opening hours, what types of items |
| Technology is advancing so rapidly that electronics | | | | are accepted, and how to dispose of your electronics |
| products are outdated quickly. In many cases, newer, | | | | waste safely. Most have convenient drop-off |
| updated versions of computers, cell phones, and | | | | locations in town as well. |
| music players are released into the market within | | | | Another option for disposal of electronic items is a |
| months of the original products appearing on the | | | | local electronics retailer. Most major chains (for |
| store shelves. When products become obsolete, they | | | | example, Best Buy) will accept items for recycle |
| are no longer considered "cool" or state of the art. | | | | when you purchase a new product. Computer sellers |
| And large numbers of people want to get the | | | | are also a good option for recycling computers and |
| newest version. This creates a huge disposal problem. | | | | computer peripherals. Most older computers have |
| How should someone dispose of the older versions | | | | parts that can be salvaged, so a computer retailer will |
| of electronics items that are no longer being used? | | | | often take your older items off your hands free of |
| By recycling them properly. | | | | charge just for the benefit of salvaging any usable |
| Computers, monitors, game players, televisions, | | | | spare parts. |
| batteries, and other similar products cannot be | | | | Recycling electronics items properly is an important |
| disposed with the rest of the household garbage. | | | | part of a greener lifestyle. It is important to dispose |
| These products contain toxic chemicals that can leach | | | | of these items properly by taking them to a local |
| into the soil or groundwater, causing significant | | | | recycling center or a retailer that will make sure they |
| pollution, even in a landfill. For example, an older | | | | are recycled safely. |
| television can contain about four pounds of lead, | | | | |