E-Waste Recycling: How Your Old Electronics Can Help Beat Climate Change
You might not think about it much, but the phone you’re reading this on could directly contribute to climate change if it’s improperly discarded at the end of its life.
When phones and other electronics are thrown into the landfill, their decay contributes to an increase in greenhouse gasses and soil and water pollution.
On the flip side, according to the EPA, "when a million cell phones are recycled, 35,000 pounds of copper and 772 pounds of silver can make their way into new products—minimizing the resources required and emissions produced in manufacturing virgin materials."
We don’t want to guilt trip you! But the fact is that e-waste like phones account for the fastest growing solid waste stream in the U.S. Right now, it accounts for about 2-3% of annual global waste, weighing in at 50 to 60 million tons.
If you're reading this and thinking, “Alright, time to get rid of my e-waste! ”That's great! We'll go over some accessible, awesome drop-off options in the Los Angeles area a little bit later on. But first, we’ll go over the what and why of disposing your devices, keeping data safe, and how the process works.
What is e-waste?
If you're confused by the term e-waste or electronic waste recycling, you're not alone! Many Los Angeles County residents—and global citizens in general—could use more specificity.
The easy way to understand e-waste is by thinking about all the old electronic equipment you have lying around your house. Electronic waste can be old cell phones, computers, printers, cables, TVs, DVD players (remember those?), fax machines, copiers, stereos, old video games, and more. For a comprehensive list, check out this link from Los Angeles County Public Works.
Why is recycling old electronics a climate action?
Electronics often contain heavy toxic materials—like lead, beryllium, and cadmium to name a few—that can be harmful to people and the environment. When these dangerous materials are exposed to UV radiation or start to break down through natural processes, there's a high probability they can get into the atmosphere, leak into the soil, or even drain into nearby water.
Unfortunately, many regions of the world don't properly manage their e-waste. They'll burn used electronics or dump them into unregulated landfills. That’s a scary thought, but research here at home is equally alarming.
A study done by University of California, Irvine researchers found that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from e-waste increased by 53% between 2014 and 2020. They estimated that without creating laws to increase the useful life of information and communication technology devices—i.e. computers, phones, TVs—e-waste GHG emissions could rise another 32% by 2030.
So what can we do to stop this environmental impact? The United Nations suggests:
Properly recycling e-waste (see how to do that in the LA area below!).
Embracing a higher circular economy with “higher recovery and recycling rates.”
Compel electronics producers to design products “for durability, ease of repair, and recyclability.”
For the record, California is serious about properly recycling e-waste. It’s illegal to throw away certain items in California including TVs, computers, cell phones, fax machines, copiers, stereos, and more as part of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act (EWRA). Signed into law in 2003, EWRA helped to establish "a program for consumers to return, recycle, and ensure safe, environmentally sound" disposal of electronic devices.
Is disposal free?
Yes! It is. You can safely recycle electronic waste for free at a drop off site below. The items accepted vary by drop off location, so be sure to double check the full list of accepted items for your chosen site.
So, where do I dispose of my e-waste in Los Angeles?
We thought you'd never ask! Here are our three favorite electronic waste drop-off options if you live in or around Los Angeles.
Option 1: Homeboy Electronics Recycling
Homeboy is more than just an electronic waste recycling center. It’s part of a social enterprise in California that supports workforce development in Los Angeles through green jobs. Drop off at their location, or use their mail in service to send your smaller devices and save yourself the trip.
Another reason why Homeboy is a great option is that data wiping is an included service. Any data on the devices you drop off will be destroyed as part of their recycling process.
Open from 10am-3pm Monday through Friday, the Homeboy dropoff is an excellent free option to visit. They are only open for drive through drop offs and ask that "all e-waste is placed in your trunk prior to arrival and you remain in your vehicle while the equipment is removed."
Make sure to review their list of items recycled for free and items recycled for a fee.
Option 2: LA City S.A.F.E Centers
S.A.F.E (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics) Centers open their doors for Los Angeles city residents to dump their electronic waste (and hazardous waste) every single weekend.
LA Sanitation has a really helpful 5-step tip sheet of how to prepare for your S.A.F.E. Center visit as well as a comprehensive list accepted and not accepted items on their website.
There are S.A.F.E. Centers in Northridge, San Pedro, Central Los Angeles, Playa Del Rey, Sun Valley, West LA, and East Los Angeles. In other words, there's a nearby S.A.F.E. Center wherever you live in LA.
Option 3: LA County Collection Events
Don't live in LA proper? No problem. Los Angeles County residents can stop by collection events hosted by LA County's Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Program (HHW).
Collection events have taken place throughout the county in areas like Hermosa Beach, Carson, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Covina, Whittier, Burbank, and more. You can find all upcoming collection events here. If you're planning on going to a collection event, make sure to check out what's accepted here.
It's worth mentioning that the county also has two permanent HHW collection centers:
How to use Dashboard.Earth for e-waste recycling!
We're rewarding Angelenos for recycling their electronic waste. Why you might ask? Because it's the right thing to do for the climate, and we believe that climate action deserves celebrating. And if we all do it, the impact will be substantial.
But don't take our word for it! The Environmental Protection Agency notes that "recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 U.S. homes in a year."
Download our app, find an e-waste drop-off near you, drop your electronics off, and take a selfie to earn 20 sprouts to use toward a weekly raffle prize.