What Really Happens to Your Old Tech?

It’s a problem we’ve all run into at some point: you’ve purchased a new phone (or other device) and you need to get rid of the old one.

Most people shove their old devices into a junk drawer, throw them in the trash, or give them to “trade-in” programs without knowing what happens next.

Out of sight, out of mind… right?

But even though we don’t see it, there’s a growing mountain of electronic waste (or e-waste) that threatens the environment, human health, and poor communities around the world. According to the World Health Organization, “e-waste is one of the fastest growing solid waste streams” and less than a quarter of that waste is ever recycled.

If you’ve ever found yourself randomly Googling things like “What to do with your old laptop” or “What to do with your old phone”, then this post is for you. Read on to find out what actually happens to your discarded tech, why it matters, and how to choose a safer alternative.

Electronic Waste: A Quiet Environmental Hazard

There’s no question that digital devices play a much bigger role in our lives than they did 50, 20 or even 10 years ago. More and more people have personal tech devices, and our devices get heavy use as we rely on them for many aspects of daily life.

But while the digital age is opening doors to greater access and opportunity, it’s also creating waste as products break or become obsolete and are thrown away. Many old devices end up in landfills with our regular trash. This is a problem because our devices are FULL of toxic substances.

As long as the devices are functional, they don’t generally pose a threat to users. But once they become waste and get crushed or broken, the pollutants are released into the environment. Lead, arsenic and mercury can contaminate the soil and groundwater around waste sites, endangering fish and wildlife. It’s not just a local concern– once dangerous chemicals enter the environment, they can travel long distances from the landfill.

Additionally, electronics contain precious and rare metals like copper, gold, lead, silver, and palladium. When these valuable materials are thrown out rather than recovered, it increases demand for new raw materials.

The Human Cost of Improper E-Waste Disposal

Many phone manufacturers and carriers offer trade-in or recycling programs. This is a better option than simply chucking your device in the trash, but it comes with some caveats.

If you trade-in a newer device in good condition, it may be refurbished and resold. As long as the program has strict data protection standards in place, this is a great way to reduce consumption. 

But if your device is old, damaged or in poor condition, there’s a good chance it will be sent to a third-party recycler. Some of these outfits are legit, but many operate like brokers, shipping giant containers of electronic waste to lower-income countries overseas. 

Sadly, parts of Africa and Asia are currently being deluged by an “invisible tsunami” of broken and discarded devices. A two-year investigation by the Basel Action Network found that about 33,000 metric tons of used electronics leave U.S. ports every month. 

Many of those electronics end up piled in open trash heaps, where workers (including children) take them apart by hand to extract valuable metals. The devices are then burned, releasing toxic fumes into the air. People who work at these sites often lack proper protective gear and suffer serious health risks from chemical exposure.

The reality is that when e-waste is sent to developing countries with limited worker and environmental protections, abuses will occur. There’s a better alternative, and it doesn’t involve exporting the e-waste problem overseas. 

Secure Electronics Recycling You Can Trust

The first step to combatting e-waste is to repair older devices and keep them in service for longer. A simple screen replacement or software upgrade can sometimes add years to your device’s lifespan (and save you money!). Buying refurbished (instead of new) devices is another planet-friendly way to reduce waste.

When the time eventually comes to dispose of an old device, look for a recycler that processes waste locally and adheres to the highest data security standards. Even if you delete your data, it could still be recovered by a bad actor. That’s why the provider you choose to recycle your device is critically important.

Ethical and Responsible Tech Recycling

TechRestore offers safe, secure and responsible electronics recycling in Louisville, Kentucky. We never ship e-waste overseas or sell it to brokers who do. Instead, we locally process, sort and de-commission electronic devices to ensure that the environment and your private data are fully protected.

If you have a device to recycle, simply bring it by our location anytime we’re open. We accept a wide range of consumer, classroom and business tech– everything from laptops and phones to hard drives, servers and more. Please note that we do not accept CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes) like that bulky old-fashioned TV your dad won’t get rid of. Feel free to give us a call if you’re unsure whether we can recycle an item or not.

When you bring a device to us for recycling, every bit of your private information is properly deleted and destroyed. We work with trusted partners that hold top industry certifications and meet or exceed all legal standards. 

If you’re concerned about sensitive data or need formal documentation we also offer an in-house Secure Data Sanitation service. This is done to Department of Defense standards (ensuring the highest levels of privacy protection) and you’ll receive a Certificate of Destruction.

Once your device is wiped, you’ll have the option to donate it to someone in need through our TechConnect program (if it’s up-to-date and in good condition). We’ll even waive the fee for Secure Data Sanitation if you donate a device!

Devices that are outdated or cannot be repaired are recycled to safely recover valuable metals. This keeps hazardous e-waste out of landfills and supports a circular economy for the raw materials that power our tech.

Moving Towards Sustainable Technology

Part of being a good human in the digital age is managing tech responsibly. That means being aware of the entire lifecycle of our phones, tablets, computers and other tech. Our devices don’t just disappear when we’re done with them– and where they end up can have a massive impact on both the natural world and human communities. 

Opting for ethical electronics recycling is a simple step towards a healthier, safer, more sustainable future. Learn more about TechRestore’s recycling program here.