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How much scrap do you get from tech trash? We break it down and show you the top 5 items that can be recycled for cash.
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America’s Scrap Problem
Every year, Americans generate about 3.5 million tons of electronic waste, and only about 13% of that e-waste is recycled. That leaves a whole lot of old computers, TVs, cell phones, and other electronics sitting in landfills, taking up space and leaching toxic chemicals into the ground. So, what can be done with all this e-waste?
The amount of e-waste Americans generate
The amount of e-waste Americans generate is staggering. According to the EPA, we generated 3.4 million tons of e-waste in 2015, and only about 1.5 million tons of that was recycled. That means that for every two electronic devices we dispose of, only one is recycled.
There are a number of reasons why this is a problem. First, e-waste is full of valuable materials that can be reused, including metals like copper and gold. When we throw away our old electronics, we’re not just wasting the devices themselves, we’re also wasting the valuable materials they contain.
Second, e-waste is full of harmful toxins like lead and mercury. If these toxins end up in the environment, they can cause serious health problems for both people and animals.
Finally, all that e-waste takes up a lot of space in landfills. In fact, e-waste makes up about 2% of all landfill waste worldwide.
So what can be done about America’s e-waste problem? For starters, we need to do a better job of recycling our old electronics. But even recycling isn’t enough. We also need to reduce the amount of e-waste we generate in the first place by buying fewer new electronics and repairing the ones we have instead of throwing them away.
where this e-waste goes
The majority of e-waste is collected in the United States and then shipped to developing countries where it is often disposed of in an unsafe manner. In China, for example, e-waste is often burned in primitive incinerators, releasing harmful toxins into the air.
E-waste is also sometimes illegally dumped in landfills. The United States EPA estimates that only about 25% of e-waste is properly recycled.
The Scrap in Tech Trash
The components of tech trash
The volume of tech trash is increasing every year as people upgrade their gadgets more frequently. But what exactly is tech trash? And how much scrap metal can you get from it?
Tech trash, also known as e-waste, is any kind of electronic device or component that has reached the end of its useful life. This can include everything from old computers and phones to printers and fax machines.
The components of tech trash can be divided into two main categories: metals and plastics. Metals are the most valuable type of e-waste, as they can be recycled and reused indefinitely. The most common metals found in tech trash are aluminum, copper, brass, and steel. Plastics are less valuable but can still be recycled into new products.
The amount of scrap metal you can get from tech trash depends on the type and quantity of devices you have. For example, a typical desktop computer contains about 2.5 pounds of aluminum, 0.5 pounds of copper, and 0.3 pounds of steel. So if you have a few old computers lying around, you could potentially get a decent amount of scrap metal from them.
However, it’s important to remember that not all tech trash is created equal. Some devices, such as TVs and monitors, contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury that must be carefully disposed of. So before you start collecting scrap metal from your old electronics, make sure you know what you’re dealing with and how to properly dispose of it.
The value of these components
The precious metals found in e-waste have a huge range in value. Gold, silver, and platinum can all be found in printed circuit boards, for example. Gold is the most valuable, with a troy ounce of gold worth about $1,200 as of 2019. Silver is next at around $15 per troy ounce. Platinum is worth even more, at over $800 per troy ounce.
How to Get the Scrap
Scraps from technology are called e-waste, and it’s a huge problem. Every year, we create 50 million tons of e-waste and only recycle 20% of it. That means that there’s a lot of valuable resources being thrown away. Most of us don’t know how to get the scrap, or we don’t want to deal with the hassle. But it’s actually not that difficult, and there are a few benefits to doing it.
Sorting tech trash
The best way to get the scrap from tech trash is to sort it. Sorting means taking the time to pull out all the valuable materials and putting them in their own pile. This can be a tedious process, but it’s worth it in the end.
To sort tech trash, you’ll need a few things:
-A large container to hold all of the tech trash
-A smaller container to hold the valuable materials
-A sorting tool, like a screwdriver or a wire cutter
-A set of gloves
-Eye protection
The first step is to put on your gloves and eye protection. Then, start going through the tech trash, pulling out anything that looks valuable. Circuit boards, wires, metal casing—anything that looks like it could be recycled or sold for scrap. Once you have a good pile of valuable materials, start putting them in the smaller container.
As you’re sorting, you might come across some hazardous materials. If you do, don’t try to handle them yourself—put them in the larger container and set them aside for proper disposal. And once you’re done sorting, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly!
Stripping tech trash
In addition to the trash you put out on the curb each week, you probably have a few larger items that you don’t use anymore and would like to get rid of. While it can be tempting to just leave these items at the curb, there are actually a few things you can do to make sure they don’t end up in a landfill.
One option is to strip them for parts. This can be a time-consuming process, but if you are able to sell the parts individually, you can actually make a pretty significant amount of money. Another option is to recycle the components. Many recycling centers will accept electronic waste and some will even pay you for it.
If you decide to strip your tech trash for parts, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, make sure you know what you’re doing. It’s easy to damage components when you’re taking them apart, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up with more junk than you started with. Second, be aware of the value of the components you’re stripping. Some parts are worth more than others, and if you’re not careful, you could end up selling your scraps for less than they’re worth.
If done carefully, stripping tech trash can be a great way to get rid of unwanted items and make some extra money at the same time. Just make sure you know what you’re doing and have a plan for what to do with the parts before you start tearing things apart.
What to Do With the Scrap
You’ve finally decided to clean out your garage, and you have a pile of old electronics to get rid of. But before you toss them in the trash, you might want to think about what you could do with all that scrap metal. You could take it to a scrapyard and get paid for it, or you could recycle it and keep it out of the landfill. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do with your tech trash.
Recycling tech trash
Recycling tech trash is a great way to reduce e-waste. But what can you do with all those old cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices?
There are a few options for recycling tech trash. You can sell it, donate it, or recycle it.
Selling it:
If your device is in good condition, you may be able to sell it. There are a number of online platforms that allow you to list your used devices for sale, such as Gazelle and eBay. You can also check with your local cell phone carrier to see if they have a trade-in program.
Donating it:
If you don’t want to sell your device, you can donate it. There are a number of organizations that accept donated electronics, such as Goodwill and the National Consumer League’s “eCycling” program. You can also check with your local library or school district to see if they have a need for donated devices.
Recycling it:
If you’re not able to sell or donate your device, you can recycle it. There are a number of recycling programs that will take your old electronics and recycle them responsibly. Many electronics manufacturers have their own recycling programs, so be sure to check with the manufacturer of your device before recycling it.
Selling tech trash
We’re all guilty of holding on to old gadgets long after they’ve stopped being useful. But what if you could make a little money off your tech trash?
Here are a few ideas for selling your old gadgets:
1. Amazon Trade-In – Amazon will give you an Amazon gift card for eligible devices in good condition.
2. Best Buy Trade-In – Best Buy will give you a Best Buy gift card for eligible devices in good condition.
3. Gazelle – Gazelle will pay cash for your old gadgets, including phones, tablets, laptops, and more.
4. NextWorth – NextWorth will pay cash for your old gadgets, including phones, tablets, laptops, and more.
5. Samsung Recycling Program – Samsung will recycle your old gadgets for free and sometimes even give you a trade-in credit towards a new purchase.
