Electronics like cell phones, TVs, computers, and radios are definitely useful when they are in working condition, but when damaged, they may just seem like an inconvenience and a waste of space. For a maximum price of $5, or even no money at all, electronics can be taken to the Bridgeton Government Center on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

Getting rid of old electronics is, unfortunately, not as easy as getting rid of some other items. The recycling process is also more complex and not as convenient as plastic or paper recycling. Events such as this one are held to make the recycling convenient for people and also to bring attention to the growing problem of depositing electronics into landfills.

Mrs. Donna Schmidt, AP Environmental Science teacher at Pattonville High School, explains that it is important to recycle electronics rather than throwing them in the garbage because “they are all made of heavy metals, which have elements that do not decompose or degrade.” Some of these precious metals like copper, gold, or silver could even be worth money. She explained that if they were to get in the water or ground, they could potentially cause health problems.

Since recycling electronics can sometimes be difficult to do, Schmidt suggests donating them or even trying to repurpose them. She mentioned, “If you put things like TVs or computers out for the regular trash, they won’t get picked up because they would just end up in a landfill and harm the environment.”

When these electronics are recycled, they are disassembled and parts are sorted by the type of metal, which people can then buy. Large electronic items like computer monitors and oversized TVs will have a $5 charge to recycle at the event for this reason.