With electronic waste becoming a big problem in our society, it's important to understand how to throw away the electronics you no longer need. Many state and city governments are creating regulations, penalties, and procedures for recycling electronics. This is no different in Seattle. You need to be aware of how you should proceed to avoid inconveniences and fines. Here are some tips that will help you with electronic recycling in Seattle.

1. Visit Your Local Government Website to Find Recycling Centers Near You

Start by getting a list of recycling centers in your area. Find the recycling center that is closest to where you live. See what kind of electronics that the particular center accepts, as some will only accept certain electronics. This means you'll have to travel to other centers if they don't take the electronics you want to recycle.

2. Locate Drop Off Centers for Small Items

There are drop-off centers for smaller items. This includes mobile phones, cell phone batteries, alkaline batteries, and other types of batteries. Do not just throw these components away in your garbage. It also is smarter to accumulate things like batteries before you throw them away. Create a stockpile where you put used batteries so that you can recycle them all at once.

3. Schedule a Pick Up Service

The city of Seattle will pick up large items like appliances and big-screen TVs. You will have set up an appointment and pay a small fine. Note that there are different costs and limits depending on how much you need to be picked up. The city will come in to pick it up on the next regular garbage collection day from when the appointment was scheduled.

Keep in mind that there are limitations in the size of your electronics and appliances. For example, large outdated projection TVs will not be accepted by the city. In this case, you'll probably have to hire a private company to pick it up for you and drop it off at an electronics recycling center that accepts it.

4. Consider Donating It or Selling It to a Thrift Shop

Don't assume that nobody will find the value out of your electronics. Many people tend to throw away laptops that are a few years old. It's important to understand that many people in need would love to have a working laptop. Many organizations will accept these donations and distribute to the people that need them.

Another alternative is to sell your electronics to a thrift shop. Many thrift shops will take outdated electronics as long as it's working. On top of the fact that you're getting rid of electronics you no longer need, you're also getting some cash. It won't be much, but it's still a better option than throwing it away at a recycling center.

5. Dispose of Electronic Components and Accessories Properly

Things like keyboards, ink cartridges, computer mice, and speakers are all components that should be recycled as well. However, they don't really fit into the electronics category as they are mostly made out of plastic. Fortunately, there are retail chains like Best Buy, Staples, and RadioShack that will accept these components and accessories for free. Just call ahead of time to see which location will accept these materials.

6. Go to an Electronic Recycling Company

There are electronic recycling companies in Seattle that offer to recycle your old system and make sure that the items are put to good use. They are either given to schools, charities, and families to help them get used out of the devices. At the same time, they offer data destruction service where they eliminate all the data and history from your devices, so you don’t have to worry about anyone finding anything. It is one of the most popular and in-demand services of electronic recycling in Seattle available.

7. Go to the Manufacturer

There are now large efforts by manufacturers to help you recycle old products. So if you have a Samsung or Apple product, you will want to call the company to see if they have a recycling center in your area. This is the next best solution if you are stuck with a product that the electronics recycling centers in your area will not accept. If none of these options is available, the best thing you can do is to turn to a private company.

These tips should help you understand how to recycle your electronics properly in Seattle. The process of electronic recycling in Seattle can be confusing if you're not used to it. But once you figure out the procedure and locate the recycling centers, it's pretty simple.

You also want to make sure that you leave it outside properly. Make sure that the electronics are placed outside on a flat surface next to where the garbage is picked up. The electronics must be left out before 7 AM on collection day, so it's best to leave it on the curb the night before.