Electronics Recycling: How To Get Rid Of Old Phones, TVs, Cables, And Batteries
Aadhya Khatri
Electronic gadgets can fill up your drawers over time and unless they have some kind of sentimental value to you it’s high time you got rid of them
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Electronic gadgets can fill up your drawers over time and unless they have some kind of sentimental value to you it’s high time you got rid of them.
No matter what they are, phones, batteries, or even TVs, there are always good ways to get rid of them and minimize their impact on the environment.
How To Recycle Dead Batteries
Batteries are common in household electronics like toys and flashlights. Amazon India has drop-off points for these out-of-use batteries all over the country, here is the list of the venues.
What To Do With Old Phones
Before recycling your old phones, remember to transfer any data to your new phone or back them up somewhere. Remove the SIM card if it is still there and then perform a factory reset.
Recycling your old phones doesn’t always mean you can’t get any financial benefit from them. Most big brands like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi have a trade-in program if you are interested in a new phone, otherwise, you can also resell it on the open market.
If the phones are too old to be of use for anyone, you can always bring them to Amazon to be recycled.
Laptop Recycling Made Easy
If your laptops are less than 5 years old, it’s highly likely that they can still be of use for someone without a very deep pocket.
There are lots of organizations in India that take old computers and laptops and bring them to poor students so that they can have a chance to access online education.
If the hardware is too old to be reuse, your best bet is to recycle it.
India has several drop-off points for old electronics run by CSR initiatives and NGOs. A quick Google search will reveal the nearest venue so that you can bring the laptop there.
If there are e-waste collection centers in your cities, that’s great news as they are the best solution for hazardous waste.
Another way to get rid of old electronics safely is to call an e-waste collection service:
- Croma E-Care operates across India and you can give them a call at
- BMC E-Waste Centre works mainly in Mumbai and their number is 1800-102-1020.
- SAAHAS locates in Bengaluru and some major Indian cities, get in touch at 7349737586.
- If you are in Delhi, you can give Namo E-Wate a call at 1800-123-512.
Chargers And Wires Can Be Recycled, Too
If you have a bunch of cables and chargers lying around and want to free up some space, bring them to the drop-off points for electronic waste or contact the aforementioned organizations.
Xiaomi India has a take-back and recycling program you can take a look at. All you have to do is log into your Mi account and the company’s authorized e-waste recycler will get in touch with you to pick up the hardware.
How To Recycle Your Old Camera
If you have an old camera that you have no use for anymore, you can get in touch with organizations like EWRHub to give them away. Canon India takes camera batteries so you can also consider them.
You Can Recycle Your TVs Too
TVs are among the bulky electronics that can cause lots of trouble to get rid of. Besides these NGOs and CRS initiatives, Amazon India also recycles these electronics.
In case the TV still works and you simply want a new set, donating it to a secondhand store is a good idea.
For smart TVs, it’s best to factory reset the set to erase any personal information that it might save. When you are ready to move it, unplug everything, bundle the cords, and tape them to the back of the set.
Be careful with the transportation as the set might leak some toxic chemicals if you accidentally drop it.
Why You Shouldn’t Throw Away Your Old Electronics?
Electronics ending up in a landfill cause a huge problem with their cord and plastic. And if they aren’t properly handled, they can be a source of environmental worries.
The majority of electronics have chromium, lead, flame retardants, and other toxic materials that can have a negative impact on humans’ nervous system and kidneys.
If the electronics aren’t properly handled, they can leak toxic waste to the groundwater. The substances can even vaporize into the atmosphere.