Can you recycle computer cables?
It is easy to do this if the cable is detachable. Computer and television cables are just as recyclable as the items they power. In fact, some might argue they are even easier to recycle. They contain fewer materials, have fewer parts and are not made with any toxic materials.
Can you recycle extension cords?
But if they no longer work, can you recycle them? To recycle extension cords and any other power cords, look for an electronics recycler in your area. Most electronics recycling programs will accept all power cords that came with your old electronic devices, as well as any additional electric cords and cables.
Are power cords recyclable?
Most power cords contain wires made from copper or aluminum, which are highly recyclable metals. The wires are surrounded by an insulating layer made of plastic or rubber.
Where can I recycle used electronics?
BestBuy, Staples and other stores that electronics will help out with electronics recycling , too. In fact, they’ll accept most of your small electronics, in addition to wires and cables. You can also sell your used electronics here. Except for some Apple products, most of your home entertainment cords and cables can be used with other devices.
Can You Reuse Extension Cords?
What to do if cable gets hot?
Can you recycle power cords?
Can you splice an extension cord back together?
Do you have to bring cords to recycler?
Can you recycle a cord that isn't long enough?
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How to Recycle Computer and Television Cables
The average American replaces their computer and television every four to five years. When you go to recycle these electronic items, you will likely recycle the power cable along with your device. But what if you forget and leave it at home? It is easy to do this if the cable is detachable.
How to recycle computer and television cables
The best way to recycle a computer or television cable is to recycle it with its device. There are many places to recycle old electronic equipment. Many communities have e-waste recycling centers at a hazardous waste center or as a stand-alone facility. Make sure you check your recycling center’s hours and policies before you drop off items.
How to reuse computer and television cables
Another option is to donate orphaned computer and television cables to an electronics reuse organization. Many cities have a nonprofit that specializes in taking electronic waste and repairing it. Free Geek in Portland and Computer Recycling of Virginia are a few examples.
How many feet of wire did Brucedamoose16 use?
He clipped off the ends of an old D-sub cable and stripped the wire of its sheathing. This provided over 200 feet (61 meters) of color-coded hookup wir e and he used the braided shield wire as desoldering braid.
Can copper wire be salvaged?
If removed from the sheath, pure copper wire can be sold for salvage. It likely won't be a fortune, but you could at least make some cash off old cables that you're never going to use again.
Is e-waste a problem?
E-waste is a growing problem, and the rapid advancement of technology is only making it worse. We use a gadget for a while and discard it once the new model comes out, which, of course, has a brand-new port, rendering your massive collection of charging cables virtually useless.
Can discussion threads be closed?
We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion.
What is the inside of a power cord?
If you cut a power cord in half, you would see the inside is made up of wire coated with a rubbery substance. The wire is likely copper, which is a great electrical conductor. The wire could also be aluminum or another metal. The coating is known as insulation. It can be either plastic or rubber.
Where do power cords end up?
Power cords typically end up at scrap metal yards, because these dealers can extract the copper and sell it to their vendors. Call the scrap dealer nearest you to see if they buy or take power cords. Find out if they have a minimum weight or volume.
Can you recycle power cords?
You may be surprised to learn that power cords are easy to recycle. The majority of them contain copper, a very valuable metal, which almost any metal scrap yard should recycle. But unless you have power cords in large quantities, you may have a hard time taking them straight to a metal recycler. Your best bet is to seek out a place ...
Do power cords need to be charged?
Even though many electronic devices are going wireless, power cords are still everywhere in our lives. Those wireless devices need to be charged somehow, and power cords are the dominant way to do that. In addition, many common household devices (from your television to your coffee maker) still have power cords permanently attached to them.
Can you use a power cord outside?
It is important not to use power cords that are frayed, cut open or otherwise damaged. Power cords should be stored inside unless they are specifically rated for outdoor use (some extension cords and those for outdoor equipment meet this qualification).
How are old cables recycled?
After being collected, old cables are transported to a plant that uses dedicated technology to separate the plastic from the metal. The process involves the granulation of the cables, followed by the extraction of the metal component. After separation, the two components are reused in other plants – the smelted metal is used for manufacturing new metal components or made into new cable cores and the plastic is also reused for a variety of purposes.
What is 4k HDMI cable made of?
November 10, 2019. by Joe Miller. Cables, such as the popular 4k hdmi cable, are composed of a metal core, usually made from copper or aluminium, surrounded by a plastic insulation. Both materials being recyclable, old cables can be efficiently recycled – here is how the process goes: Old cables are collected by recycling companies ...
What is smelted metal used for?
After separation, the two components are reused in other plants – the smelted metal is used for manufacturing new metal components or made into new cable cores and the plastic is also reused for a variety of purposes.
Why do we recycle old wires?
The most important reasons to recycle your old wires and cabling is just to keep them out of landfills. There are a lot of useful materials in wiring that can be re-used and recycled, and it is even possible to make money back from recycling these items and allowing them to be re-used in a new recycled product.
What is wire cabling?
Wires and cabling often come alongside IT equipment, and disposing of equipment that may possibly hold sensitive data demands responsible and cautious handling. We have a long history of certified integrity, are a company dedicated to recycling and trusted by most businesses every day. Our certificates are the highest possible in the business. Our company ensures that we carefully manage every asset that comes into our care and present important data on each step to you in a transparent manner.
How many people are there on Earth?
Just remember that every time you think, “It’s just this one little thing, this one time,” it never is. There are over 7 billion people on Earth and if we are all so careless, it will be a short-lived existence for our species.
Can you recycle wires and cabling?
Thanks to All Green Electronics Recycling’s many drop-off locations, cabling and wires can easily be disposed of in a safe manner. Even better, in most cases we can come and pick up your wiring and cabling at no cost to you. The most important reasons to recycle your old wires and cabling is just to keep them out of landfills.
Can you recycle electronics?
Although we often think of the big ticket items when it comes to ethically and responsibly recycling electronics, it can be the smaller pieces that make the biggest difference. When recycling items, don’t forget about wiring and cabling – these contain a significant amount of recyclable material. Allow All Green Electronics Recycling, as part of our ongoing efforts to help you dispose of your electronic items in the correct way, pick up your wires and cables and re-use, recycle or repurpose them.
Should we recycle old cables?
Recycling your old cables and wires is so easy now that there is almost no reason not to. It is all of our responsibilities to ensure that we look after this Earth for future generations, and recycling all of our old items, including cables and wires, is one of the most responsible ways in which we can do this.
Can recycling equipment harm your reputation?
These fines are significant enough to weaken many businesses, and falling on the wrong side of these laws can permanently harm your reputation. Since we significantly exceed the minimum guidelines outlined by the government on every item that comes into our care, you can rest assured that your company will not be exposed to these risks. Our solid service comes with the added benefit of securing a future for the planet that is sustainable.
What happens when you untangle old cables?
Broken, old or unused cables and power cords make up part of the electronics waste, or e-waste, in landfills that damages the environment and human health. They take up too much space, become tangled around or inside of animals and release toxins as they break down.
What companies recycle e-waste?
Many companies -- such as cable and cord manufacturers, Internet and cable service providers, electronics, computer and office supply stores and repair shops -- offer recycling programs to prevent e-waste from being tossed into landfills. A lot of companies, especially manufacturers and retail stores, give consumers incentives to recycle like cash back and discounts. Typically, they at least provide free shipping labels or local e-waste recycling drop-off bins and dumpsters. Internet and cable companies sometimes take extra industry-related cables or cords when you're getting repair service from or returning equipment to them.
Why do people buy used cables?
Instead of buying new cables or cords when existing ones wear out or break, many people buy or trade for used ones to save money or because they're using older technology and can't find what they need inexpensively or through retail stores.
What to do if you have broken cables?
Use Government Recycling Options. If you have broken or non-working cables or cords and can't find a company to help you dispose of them, don't throw them in the trash! Many state and local governments have special e-waste disposal rules or charge a fine when consumers don't recycle.
Can you put cables back into use?
Many options exist to put cables and cords back into use as either re-used parts or materials for new products. Treat them like any other used goods that you don't need or want and offer them to others for a price, give them away or use responsible disposal methods. Advertisement.
Why doesn't it make sense to trash e waste?
Pollution aside , there’s another reason why it doesn’t make sense to trash e waste like wires and cables. They contain important and difficult to get metals like copper. Mining the copper needed to make cable pretty much destroys the environment around where the mines occur.
Is copper a conductor?
Though other rare metals are used to manufacture wires and cable as well, copper is ultimately the most widely used electrical and electronic conductor on Earth. In the past few years, copper has become scarce, leading to higher prices, which in turns raises our cost of buying electronics, as well as more copper mines.
Can schools accept electronics donations?
Many schools and non-profits happily accept electronics donations, even if all you have is the odd power cord or old Ethernet cable that wasn’t quite long enough.
Is electronic waste bad for the planet?
Electronic waste is the fastest growing sector of the waste stream. In fact, 85% of our e-waste is sent to landfills and incinerators, and that’s not good for the planet.
Can I use my home entertainment cord with my Samsung phone?
For example, the cord I use to charge my Kindle Fire can also charge my Samsung Galaxy phone.
Who is Diane MacEachern?
Diane MacEachern is a mother of two kids, best-selling author and award-winning entrepreneur with a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and the Environment. She founded Big Green Purse because she is passionate about sharing her experience and expertise with anyone who wants to live green and save money doing it.
What is a spade shaped USB cable?
These are the classic USB cables with a “house-shaped” connector on one end and a rectangular, spade-shaped connector on the other. This is commonly utilized in printers, old hard drives, and even some audio devices. Hang on to a couple of these for now, especially when you own the gadgets we’ve just mentioned.
Why is HDMI cable useless?
For the most part, widespread incompatibility with various electronic equipment and inferior technology is rendering this cable useless. Most of us are using HDMI on our computer monitors because they are far superior display connectors than DVI. Safe to say, this video-only connector is practically obsolete.
What type of cable do I use for my laptop?
DisplayPort Cable. (Image Source: Amazon) Business laptops, older televisions, and several computer monitors still use the standard DisplayPort. Although not as common as HDMI cables, they’re still used in typical A/V systems so it may be too soon to toss them.
What does it mean when you have Thunderbolt 1 and 2?
Either way, having one or both probably means that you had to connect a number of Apple devices together. If you have Thunderbolt 1 and 2 adapters, it may be too soon to get rid of them.
Can you use mini display port with Thunderbolt?
On the other hand, Mini DisplayPort cables and adapters readily plug into Thunderbolt 1 and 2 ports so you can keep them, too. But take caution: Mini DisplayPorts aren’t compatible with the newer Apple products.
What devices use aux cables?
Any audio-enabled device you have uses an aux cable. Think about computers, car stereos, smartphones, home theaters, tablets, TVs, monitors, and even armrests on airline seats. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s the micro-plug used in analog headphone ports. So it won’t hurt to keep a few of these around the house.
Is the AC plug still used?
The connector used for computer and peripheral power for decades, this standard AC plug is still used by desktop computers everywhere. Laptops may have taken over as a preferred workstation, but this standard is still critical as long as you’ve got a tower PC. It goes without saying that you’d be wise to have a spare kept somewhere.
What is STEM in schools?
Schools and many non-profits have STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs or projects that often use older technology. Your old cable cords, chargers and wires very well may not be so outdated for educational purposes.
What is the fastest growing waste stream?
Did you know that electronic waste is fastest growing waste stream globally? This is due to both the shortened lifespan of our electronic devices and societies demands for the newest high-tech products. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only 15 to 20 percent of e-waste is recycled, the rest of these electronics go directly into landfills, incinerators and are illegally exported to developing countries.
Can you use home entertainment cords with other devices?
Additionally, with the exception of some Apple products, most home entertainment cords and cables can be used with other devices.
Can you sell copper wire?
When removed from the sheath, pure copper wire can be sold for salvage. It likely won’t be worth a fortune, but you can at least make some cash off old cables that you’re never going to use again. Any metal recycling center will accept your copper-cored wires, and will likely accept most of your small electronics, in addition to other wires and cables. You can also sell or recycle your used electronics.
Does Best Buy accept plastic bags?
According to the Best Buy website, they accept “rechargeable batteries, wires, cords, cables and plastic bags.”. Check out their website to see if Best Buy will accept what you want to recycle.
Can you use an electronic device for a while?
Common practice is to use an electronic device for a while and discard it once the new model comes out . Unfortunately, if the new model or device has a different charging port it renders your old collection of charging cables virtually useless.
Can You Reuse Extension Cords?
Unfortunately, there aren’t too many ways to reuse extension cords other than for their intended purpose. Do pass the cords on to a friend or donate them to Good Will or another thrift store if the cords are still usable.
What to do if cable gets hot?
If you have a cable that gets hot or doesn’t seem to work correctly, it’s important to recycle it rather than passing it on to anyone else.
Can you recycle power cords?
The wires are surrounded by an insulating layer made of plastic or rubber. While the insulator isn’ t necessarily recyclable, the metal inside is valuable, so recyclers will strip out the wire and recycle it.
Can you splice an extension cord back together?
Note that it’s not recommended that you splice a cut extension cord back together, as it won’t have the abrasion resistance of a new cord. Instead, you can create two extension cords from the cut cord, assuming both ends are long enough. To do this, you’ll just add a new plug to the cut end.
Do you have to bring cords to recycler?
So, any time you take electronics to your local e-waste recycler, be sure to bring the cords with you. This will help reduce the number of random power cords you have lying around the house.
Can you recycle a cord that isn't long enough?
Of course, if one end isn’t long enough to create an extra cord, be sure to recycle it.
