Your Questions About Recycling
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Filed under Recycling Q & A
Nancy asks…
Can I recycle old wires and gadgets into other gadgets?
Sorry for the confusing title, I wasn’t sure how to word it.
My question is, can I recycle old and unused electronics and make new things out of them? For example, I have an old pair of headphones and some extra wiring and a really old IPOD. Can I reuse any of these to make new things? I’m very interested in the workings behind building things from scratch.
I’m guessing that’s a very broad questions so if anything, point me in the direction of a very simple beginners guide maybe?
Thanks!
The Expert answers:
Sounds like you’re interested in learning circuits. I’d suggest starting by just learning how to light diodes and maybe use a voltage regulator. Also, learn what current, voltage, and all of the Electrical terms are associated with this stuff. Learn what transformers on.
Then from there, move on to learning Integrate Circuit (IC) chips. These chips can be used in many applications. A lot of microprocessors these days come with boards where you can switch the chip (the processor), and use another one as long as you read the data sheet.
A lot of the time though, the integrated circuitry in an IPOD is proprietary and the information about it is limited. Doesn’t mean you can rip off the head phone jack to power your own player in the future though!
Good luck!
Lizzie asks…
Where to recycle electronics in Illinois?
So I hear that there’s a new law that makes it illegal to throw out old electronics in the state of Illinois. I live in Chicago and I would like to know where can I take my old electronics to recycle?
The Expert answers:
Take it to an EPA approved …16 in Chgo:
USMe LLC 2500 W. Fulton Street Chicago Cook 312-582-1882
Sims Metal Management 1509 W. Cortland Street Chicago Cook 773-254-1200
Sims Metal Management 9331 S. Ewing Avenue Chicago Cook 773-254-1200
Sims Metal Management 2500 S. Paulina Street Chicago Cook 773-254-1200
Recycle Tech Solutions 11235 S. Cottage Grove Avenue Chicago Cook 773-821-9700
Recycle Tech Solutions 2000 W. Division Chicago Cook 773-821-9700
Recycle Tech Solutions 3639 N. Broadway Chicago Cook 773-821-9700
Everlights (Chicago) 9901 S. Torrence Avenue Chicago Cook 708-878-9030
Goodwill Retail Services (Southeastern Wisconsin) 1201 W. Washington Blvd Chicago Cook 262-551-2843
City of Chicago Department of Public Health 1150 N. North Branch Chicago Cook 312-742-4806
Com2 Computer and Technologies 3441 W. Peterson Avenue Chicago Cook 630-653-2662
Com2 Computer and Technologies 3651 N. Halsted Avenue Chicago Cook 630-653-2662
All Green Electronics Recycling 233 S. Wacker Drive Chicago Cook 714-633-4104
Jay Schreiber 321 North Artesian Avenue Chicago Cook 872-600-9644
WM Recycle America, LLC South Chicago MRF Chicago Cook 303-656-5344
United Ecycle Corp. 3250 S. Kedzie Avenue Chicago Cook 630-795-9949
Sandy asks…
where do i recycle old electronics?
I have an old computer that I would like to get rid of but don’t know who to call to recycle it. Can anyone tell me?
The Expert answers:
Bluegrass E-Cycle provides computer and electronics recycling in Louisville KY, Cincinnati OH, Charleston WV, and surrounding states. They also provide secure hard drive destruction on or off site for our clients.
They work with only a handful of domestic processors to ensure they have a combination of good track records as well as industry or state certifications.
Mary asks…
How do you recycle gold from electronics?
What’s the most practical and affordable solution to removing gold and palladium from electronic parts?
The Expert answers:
Yes you can but it involves harmful chemicals. The yield is very low that it is not even economical.
Maria asks…
Does sa recycling recycle electronics?
The Expert answers:
Yes
Ruth asks…
what will happen is we dont recycle our electronics?
The Expert answers:
A bunch of environmentalists will be upset is the most likely scenario. Practically, none of the things on the circuit board are reactive and all are very stable. The lead based solder is not going to get in the ground water, contrary to the popular but unscientific beliefs. Things like Arsenic, which is a doping compound used to make semiconductors and LEDs has so little arsenic that if it could be dissolved out of the base material it would be so little, but it can’t be dissolved.
The biggest problem is that there is gold and other precious metals and some want to reclaim them. Those methods involve smelting and that releases all of the nasty bits.
CFLs on the other hand have so much mercury that they are hazardous to humans and should not be used.
Paul asks…
How will the75000 tonnes of recycled electronics looks like?
The Expert answers:
Like 75000 tonnes of junk.
Richard asks…
Where in the Reno/Sparks, NV area can I take electronics to be recycled?
Old computers and telephones and other cords and other similar things.
Preferably some place that doesn’t charge to recycle.
These are things that for the most part don’t function any more, and I don’t want to throw them in the trash.
The Expert answers:
Go to google and put “e recycle and your zip code in the search box and you will get a quick list to check out.
Donna asks…
Where can I recycle/donate used electronics that no longer work?
So my MP3 player will not charge anymore, at all. I already asked today what I should buy to replace it and I chose a Zen. (when it said I could download books onto it I was SOLD! I am lugging around my giant heavy laptop to work to read!) So now I have an old Dell pocket DJ that does not work, and I do not want to throw it into the trash. (that cannot be good for the earth!) Any ideas? Sorry about all the exclamation points, I am just really excited about the Zen, I am going to target now to get it! LOL!
The Expert answers:
Check with Best Buy about donating any old electronic item. They all contain “heavy metals” that can pollute the groundwater if they are not taken apart and the metals removed.
Now, go play with your ZEN!
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