How to Recycle Your Old Electronics | One Small Step

You probably have some old flip phones and iPods lying around, but few people know how to properly get rid of them - here's the right way to recycle your e-waste.
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Only 1 out of every 6 discarded electronics are getting recycled, partly because many people just don’t know where or how to properly discard their old electronics. From old phones and computers to TVs and stereo equipment, recycling centers like the Gowanus E-Waste Warehouse in Brooklyn collect all kinds of old, damaged, and unused electronics that then get sorted and recycled.
When old electronics are properly recycled, they can be broken down into these three categories:
1. Newer working items that can be refurbished & resold.
2. Unique antiques that are stored at prop warehouses and rented out for TV and movie productions.
3. Outdated items that get shredded for their parts.
Recycling electronics is a costly and laborious business, and our e-waste problem only appears to be getting worse. Globally, we produce 45 million tons of electronic waste every year, and that number is expected to increase annually by 3-4% as more countries modernize.
Follow your host Lucy Biggers as she finds out what happens to our recycled electronics in this episode of One Small Step.
#ClimateChange #Environment #OneSmallStep
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What happens to everything we use after we throw it away? How does our trash impact the environment and contribute to things like pollution and climate change? From plastics and recycling to food waste and composting - we're breaking down the issue of waste and sustainability piece by piece to answer one of the most important questions facing the world today: How do we save our planet?
From exploring the latest tech and science innovations shaping our future, to living sustainably and protecting our planet from climate change - this is NowThis Future!
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[@Runner8617]

Another way to reduce waste =NOT upgrading your electronics every single year just to keep up with the Johnses! I've had the same phone for the past 6 YEARS and it works just FINE. I will use it until it is unusable! I don't care about the ignorant people who keep laughing at me, I care more about the environment!!

[@ktaragorn]

This shouldnt be "another way".. This should be the main way. It is sad that in todays consumerist world recycling gets all the mindshare

[@myelffleym1889]

on what security-patch level is your device? O_o I'm in favor of using devices until they fail but in the world of smartphones there's another problem: OEMs are responsible for security updates.

[@mark42xlii]

I chose my device based on the fact that all its vendor blobs are well-known. I'm on Android 11 and don't have to depend on my OEM at all. The thing came with Android 7, I believe.

[@minaaris]

That's how you do it

[@Freshanatha]

The problem is when you had companies like apple who give you a trash battery and then make it where you can’t repair it. I have had the phone I currently have for about 1.75 and the battery life is already 1/3 of what it was. Used to last 6-9 hours and now it barely manages 2.5 without hitting 10%

[@zoekimmings1506]

this series is teaching me so much! keep it up!

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

... when they are showing stuff being recycled, that is newer than the device you are using to watch this video ! :-O

[@flowupdesign]

I think an often overlooked angle in this is the programmed obsolesence and shady business practices of manufacturers who make it so their product becomes waste in spite of the consumer bearing most of the cost and non repair embedded into designs that makes what you own trash at rates determined by the industry and not the market or consumer criteria. It would be cool to touch up on this on a separate video :)

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

"Lifetime Responsibility Law' = the manufacturer of EVERY plastic product must accept it back, from plastic bottles to printers and toys. If manufacturers make things out of plastic, they will be required by law to take it back from the consumers once it is done. Private profit meets private responsibility. Everything: from fast food containers to electronics, to furnature - the manufacturer is FOREVER responsible for the collection and disposal of EVERYTHING they make. The Public will no longer tolerate public costs and public pollution and public landfills toxic expenses, when the manufacturers collect the profits but take no responsibility. Pass this law nationwide as a Constitutional Amendment - and make all the manufacturers Bound by law to accept, recycle, and dispose of the waste they created.

[@Radar120155]

Your living in a dream world , Similar to mine , I like it !

[@unstoppabledoris]

I haven't bought a new phone in 5 years and I feel very proud of myself, I will definitely research location I recycle old items at

[@s1xtc3nt]

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

[@priscillajimenez27]

Refuse Reduce Repurpose Reuse Regift Recycle Rot (compost)

[@simulatethat6099]

I hadn't thought to check Staples. Been trying to figure out what I'm going to do with some old Li Ion batteries. This video was quite helpful!

[@elainecameron1505]

Thank you for all your great programming!

[@heatherburch7697]

Great content! Thank you for the great information regarding electronic recycling! But before we recycle let’s consider if we really need a new item. Please keep in mind that the most environmentally friendly device is the one you already own. Keep your item until the end of it’s life, repair if possible and buy used devices.

[@mjdckitchen]

I want to do something like zero waste but I don't know how to start in my community ...

[@melaniedarmawan9922]

Same. My community KNOWS how bad the pollution and how wrecked our recycling system is, but they don’t care. Its more convenient for us to use single used plastics, buy new trendy clothes and never wear them again, and buy new electronics when the new ones come out. I start small though. I try to do these small things myself & find a small community in my area that does the same. I also encourage my family and my close friends to do the same by showing them how I manage to apply some of these zero-waste techniques.

[@A-Wa]

step by step, stop using some of the plastic like tooth brush and straws. then talk about it in the community and tell them how easy the start was. then try more and more alternatives. thats how I changed my family:) but its still a long way to be rlly zero waste

[@ertyderty7]

Their is a lot you can do to help you just got to think about it. I pull all motherboards, wires, metals and components out of items before I throw them away. I make some side money and I am separating the materials so whatever I do dispose of would be easier to recycle. I can also re use or sell some components. Honestly if you want a better idea on how to recycle watch a documentary on how the poor people in India do it. They are pioneers of recycling and prove that the rest of the world can do it to but the problem in first world countries is the money involved.

[@megg9929]

I agree.. if we each do something, it adds up to a community. I have been researching ways to limit my waste and when I find something good I share it with my friends. I have gotten a lot of positive responses and comments that they then pass what I have found to others. Little steps. We can do this.

[@priscillajimenez27]

I tried with my family when I lived with them but they weren't on board.

[@jdodge3418]

The only difficult thing is these greener alternatives are usually hiked up in price.

[@NicholasLittlejohn]

They save you money over time.

[@graced4844]

you could always buy something refurbished

[@nightowl7482]

Short term it's expensive but long term you end up saving so much more

[@myelffleym1889]

some things that help and can even save you money: - buy used/refurbished devices - don't fall for emotional planned obsolescence - if your computer feels too slow and runs on a HDD consider buying an SSD instead of a new computer - if you are willing to sacrifice some time, try installing linux on an older computer (I recommend linux mint), sometimes linux can offer improved performance over windows

[@jordenolson777]

Remember Futurama? The scene where they burn the electronics... "OK kids, find the shiny"

[@lyndaschroeder8117]

So great!!! Very informative in all your videos! You also should get a great reward!!!

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

the 1% electronics being resposible for 70% damage can be also about people!

[@Sarahlenea]

In addition, it's possible to buy refurbished phones, TV, computers and all kinds of electronic items instead of buying them new, or choosing items where the batterie or a component can be replaced without throwing away everything.

[@jennaditzler4311]

3.1k views, and not a single dislike! That’s pretty good if you ask me

[@nosc0pe]

5:34 laughs in Rossmann

[@kristianTV1974]

My thoughts too.

[@Atheist7]

LOL!

[@reginaweldon8725]

I love your content

[@lindale6681]

I love this series!

[@effytraveler6155]

In the old days things didn’t break so much and when they did, they had a repairman who could fix your toaster and TV. These days we throw it out and wait for a holiday sale to buy a new one.

[@Runner8617]

You can STILL recycle regular batteries. We do in California. Certain CVS stores take them.

[@anweshpeddineni5802]

how many are aware of the long term problems we are buying in the name of solutions today. all companies in the countries around the globe should come together for one cause to solve these collective problems. All the enterprises in the world should become social enterprises and start working together, this is to make life on earth beautiful instead of ugly, we still have a choice.

[@marc4687]

Is there a way/web to know which products are less toxics?

[@myelffleym1889]

I don't think there's that big of a difference in modern devices, focus on picking a product that will last you as long as possible and/or consider buying used/refurbished.

[@ktaragorn]

Step 0. Only buy what you need and reduce optional upgrades where possible, keep that phone or laptop for longer than the industry claims is acceptable.

[@brokkoliomg6103]

Concerning smartphones, there are the Fairphone and the Shiftphone that are leading the way into a more sustainable electronics market. :)

[@andydutton455]

very informative

[@DavidWilson-sm2ym]

Why didn't you share e-stewards website?

[@lothean2099]

Love this episode. I still have every single phone I ever owned. I know about the gold in it. Just haven't figured out how to extract it safely

[@ujjalshill6442]

I would take those things

[@catthecommentbothunter6890]

I bring electronic recycle to the next level because i salvage old electronics like electric motors,switch,led,and other electronic parts that is usefull and the rest are sold to my nearest metal and plastic recycle dump and i use them to make mini fans from salvages electric motor and sell them:)

[@javiercastro8466]

Alkaline are better than rechargeable!! Despite the inconvenience and cost, the environment would love you! Wow, who knew.

[@merlinious01]

I am saddened by all the n64s and wiis and stuff.

[@johnathin0061892]

They are worth money, even if not working. I hope they are not dumb enough to actually scrap them. In the very least people would take them for free to fix them up.

[@a-aron2276]

You can nearly always find a low power use for old cells.

[@myelffleym1889]

not for the almost unusable Li-Po battery in my phone :D My phone is overdue for a battery replacement

[@a-aron2276]

@@myelffleym1889 you could use it to power little LEDs, even 5+wh (

[@myelffleym1889]

@@a-aron2276 def not worth it :D for in-house use I don't need batteries and for outdoor use the form factor is problematic and I don't want to waste time building a custom flashlight i don't even need. something that isn't worth doing or too wasteful itself isn't a real "use" for something.

[@myelffleym1889]

@@a-aron2276 I you have a good use for it send me your address and cover the shipping costs and i'll mail it to you xD

[@sandraleishman878]

I wish Now This Future had more canadian content.

[@myelffleym1889]

I don't like the uncritical mention of apple, there are one of the worst offenders when it comes to preventing their devices from being repaired. They are using both technical measures (eg. component serialization), and legal measures (eg. prohibiting their contractors form selling components). Their devices are also notoriously limited in upgradability. That's technically unrelated to recycling but I don't like it when the media allows companies like apple to green wash themselves with recycling while they are actively making their devices less repairable and upgradable. Some of apples anti-eco design decisions actually are security or compactness-related, but by far not all of them and if apple actually cared they could make some slight trade-offs in favor of upgradability and repairablility. There is no excuse for their anti-repair legal measures and component serialization at all. Ask Luis Rossman about this.

[@Atheist7]

And they are the MOST VALUABLE (stock market) company worldwide!!!!!

[@kristaw206]

I feel like with the increasing sleek-ness and consolidation of technological capabilities into smaller sizes, we would see LESS physical e-waste in the future? (Less clunky plastic old electronics).

[@delawariand9860]

so where do we go to recycle our old electronics?

[@maktheturd6220]

The place is "Permantly Close!"

[@houchi69]

Small step, which is only a band-aid of the actual problem.

[@yoonsanhaastro2489]

No entiendo nada

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

All those parts. Just shredded ...

[@sariewahyudianti7507]

Another Way To Recycle Is,Buy An A Laptop When It Unusable Or Can't Upgrade Again,If You Had An PC Do Not Throw It Away When Broken,Repair It,Or Upgrade It

[@k.ganesanganesan6825]

Reuse if you can.

[@michalbalecki4629]

A lot of those things work why recycle if they can be still used

[@kristianTV1974]

Okay, who threw the N64 out?

[@alexandriarising7239]

It really upsets me that I tried to recycle a monitor at Best Buy and they charged us for trying to get rid of it. They took the computer no problem. I think they wanted to sell it. Sorry to say it but we took it and threw it out in thier bin outside. So I'm not going there to recycle anything. I will donate it or something eles before ever going there

[@Atheist7]

Nothing worse than paying them to take it..... THEN they SELL IT too. My stuff goes into the trash.

[@calvinlyngdoh851]

You could always donate them to the less fortunate if still functional.

[@Radar120155]

Looks like recycling should be the last resort ; Reuse , repair , maintain re purpose . When all those fail disassemble and recycle . Companies build it cheap so we need a quality guide to reduce wear out hence toxins decline ! When a phone wears out it make a useful flash drive.

[@NicholasLittlejohn]

Resell your electronics quickly or donate to charity, take back to stores!

[@catthecommentbothunter6890]

Nah i dont sell my old electronics instead i open them at home and remove usefull electronic components like Dc motors,capacitors,etc

[@everythingican]

👍🇨🇦😃

[@rasped]

Thumbnail says Recylcing instead of Recycling

[@nakosimpson7459]

m

[@bogdanalin962]

Omg Apple the biggest designer of made to fail and never be repaired gets publicity in a recycling video, ,,🤦‍♂️

[@Tamay.]

I collect old phones dont just shred them :(((

[@gladlawson61]

Kinda feel like electronics should be bought back from customers. Like it is part of the whole system. You buy it. This should be part of the process. They or someone buys it back... they sell the product. Again ....

[@lamdo3003]

The problem is that you cannot have more Factories that making them than Places to recycle them. If not. All brands on this planet that's selling their products around the world. Need to pay for their responsibilities with their own "Technologies Rubbish" so that they can use that Funding to build EWaste Recycling Facilities everywhere around this planet in everywhere countries without worrying that there's no money to be able to Build just One or even money to be able to run the whole systems. It's all their responsibilities. Whoever standing on the Electronic and Technologies Side.

[@eriksonmatos65]

I'm from Brazil. I would like to receive used cell phones and notebooks working, for donation.

[@darkweb8860]

Finally China becomes green slowly.

[@Xactenergy]

Those subtitles are obnoxious.

[@PC-so4lg]

Why not use less plastic in phones manufacturing... As well as the circular model for every nation... Let each nation come up with an answer to its own waste... I cant even think... Waste is transported... OMG!!!!

[@Edzhjus]

0:12 🔃💱♻ 😉 Should be obvious. 🙄🌱 1:16 Because (mother) nature aka Gaia is not cyber 🌍🌎🌏. 😐 Dooh. 🔮

[@Atheist7]

Oooohhhhhh...... So, they're ALL TOO WILLING to accept my 2 year old $1,200 cellphone for a grand total of FREE, huh? Yeah..... No. Going into the trash. They're free to go retrieve it then.

[@gusndrasaputra9817]

After all good talking, in the end send it to China...

[@leihope9472]

And to other Asian countries. :(

[@Eurekules.url.1]

Noooooooooo there recycling Nintendo systems😭😭😭😭 😂