How to Recycle Your Remote Controls

Hoarder or not, nearly every home has them. Yes, we’re talking about dead remote controls. With so many electronic devices around us, you’ll inevitably have a collection of dead remote controls stacked somewhere in your house.

Because they contain so many recyclable parts, you must know how to recycle remote controls.

Why You Should Recycle Your Remote Control

Are remote controls recyclable? Yes, they are, but why should you bother recycling your remote control?

Electronic waste (E-waste) is one of the fastest-growing sectors in waste management, and remotes play a part in that. Recycling your remote helps keep the precious raw materials used from just sitting in a landfill. If not properly disposed of, remote controls can disintegrate, allowing dangerous substances and chemicals to seep into the soil or water.

That’s why you need to know how to recycle your remote controls. How do you do that?

Preparation

A super easy way of recycling your remote controls is by taking them to a recycling center. However, before you do that, there are a few things you must do to prepare them for recycling. One of the first things is to remove the batteries. If you left the remote in its plastic wrapping for protection, you can remove that as well and put it together with other plastics you want to recycle.

How to Recycle Remote Controls – 5 Simple Ways

Recycling remote controls is very easy. One reason is that you have many options to do so. Here are some of those ways:

Allow Children to Use for Creative Play

Just because your remote control isn’t working doesn’t mean it can’t be put to good use. If you have small children, you can give it to them to play with. Kids have very creative minds that can turn anything into an exciting toy.

Look for a Mail-in Program

Not all discarded materials are accepted in curbside recycling programs. Small electronics like remote controls are among them. One of the best ways to circumvent this is by finding an in-mail program. These are recycling programs that collect and recycle materials received by mail. Some programs charge you a fee, while others can even pay for shipping.

Donate to a Local Charity

If your remote is still working, a good way of recycling it is to donate it to your local charity. The fact that you have no use for it doesn’t mean other people don’t. Many less fortunate families might need your remote and would appreciate it.

Find an Electronics Recycling Company

Remote controls contain different types of metals, plastics, and chemicals that need proper disposal. That’s why one of the safest ways of disposing of them is to find an electronics recycling company.

If your community has an electronics recycling drive, you can also take your remote control there.

Repurpose Your Remote Controls

Another way of recycling your remote control is to repurpose it. That means using it for another purpose than for what it was intended. One way to do that is to remove the batteries and use the cavity to hide your money.

Need to Replace Your Dead Remote?

If your remote control has packed upon you, all is not lost. You can easily get a replacement. At Replacement Remotes, we specialize in the supply of universal remotes of all kinds. Browse our inventory for one that suits your needs. Alternatively, give us a call at 855-573-6683, and we’ll help you pick the right one for your home.

Source:

  1. https://earth911.com/home-garden/mail-back-recycling-programs/