Donating Old Electronics

There are plenty of waste people throw away each day – food excess, used packaging, old cars, broken furniture, old television sets, old mobile phones, and so on.

Due to the staggering number of waste we produce every day, it’s no surprise that many advocates call for the recycling of whatever item we can put up for recycling.

When it comes to electronics recycling, Vancouver government offers their very own aid so that people who want to get rid of old electronic appliances can throw them away in a responsible way.

Even though electronics recycling in Vancouver (and virtually anywhere else) would probably sound as the best way to go in handling old electronics, not many people are aware that reusing old items can actually be better than recycling them.

Most times, the process of recycling itself could bring about a great deal of pollution, and because of this, reusing is generally preferred over recycling.

So, what would you do to old electronics you need to dispose of? The answer is pretty simple: donate it to those in need.

There are many organizations and various institutions that would be happy and grateful to receive old electronics. Some of these institutions include women’s centers, shelters for the homeless, orphanages, and many others. Such organizations could make use of any electronic appliance you may have – vacuum cleaners, computers, air conditioners, coffee makers, refrigerators, televisions – you name it.
If you don’t really have the time to personally drive around Vancouver to look for these organizations, there are websites wherein institutions or charitable groups post what they need, together with their address, so you know where to drop off your old items and when to donate them.

Before you make your donation, though, don’t forget to check that your device is still working. Remember to delete all private information you may have stored in the device (e.g. clear the hard drive if you’re donating a personal computer or a laptop). Another important thing to remember is to donate the old device as soon as you can. When you keep the electronic device unused in your possession for a longer time, there’s a higher possibility that it would not be usable anymore once you donate it. After all, donating it sooner means the person who needs it most would be able to use it sooner, too.

Sharing is caring. Donating your pre-loved electronics is a good way of showing love and care for other people.