Electronic and appliance removal can be a chore. How do you get rid of such things? Can you throw away old televisions or computers? Are you supposed to recycle refrigerators? What do you do with an old dishwasher? Valet Trash Professionals is happy to offer these helpful tips and a list of community resources for electronic and appliance removal in NWA. Lucky for us, Northwest Arkansas has many great options to choose from!
ELECTRONICS
Technology changes in the blink of an eye. The top of the line computer of five years ago may be obsolete for the work you do today. The television that your family gathered around ten years ago may no longer support your current devices and streaming demands. If your old fax machine is collecting dust, your old printer won’t work with your new computer, and the extra monitors you’ve been hanging on to may or may not still work, then it’s time to clear things out.
According to Chron, the average life expectancy of a laptop computer is three to five years. Changing work environments, exciting entertainment options, and personal preferences all come into play when determining the life span of electronics. When the time comes to replace or upgrade your equipment, you want to take every necessary step to ensure that you’re disposing of the old items responsibly and that you’re protecting your personal information from falling into the wrong hands. Visit our article, Remove a Swing Set or Playhouse, for additional information on removing a swing set or playhouse in Northwest Arkansas.
Protect yourself from identity theft.
No matter how you choose to get rid of your old electronics, you absolutely must take the time to clean the hard drives and wipe all personal information. Consumer Affairs reports that “in 2018, the Federal Trade Commission processed 1.4 million fraud reports totaling $1.48 billion in losses.” The effects of identity theft can haunt you for years to come and can be very difficult to recover from. Don’t let the hassle of wiping your old devices now prevent you from protecting your identity in the future.
Items such as tax records, passwords, financial documents, social security numbers, credit information, medical records, addresses, and phones numbers left on your old devices can leave you at risk unless you properly clear your old devices. Of course, you should consult the original owner manuals for the devices you are dealing with, but whatever you do, you must not assume that simply deleting a file means that it is gone forever. Documents and information can often be recovered unless you utilize programs designed to thoroughly wipe your hard drive clean.
The Federal Trade Commission offers these tips:
Utility programs to wipe a hard drive are available both online and in stores where computers are sold. These programs generally are inexpensive; some are available on the internet for free. These programs vary:
- Some erase the entire disk, while others allow you to select files or folders to erase.
- Some overwrite or wipe the hard drive many times, while others overwrite it only once.
Consider using a program that overwrites or wipes the hard drive many times; otherwise, the deleted information could be retrieved. Or remove the hard drive, and physically destroy it.
Once your personal information is safely removed, how do you get rid of old electronics? First and foremost, you must be aware of the health and environmental risks associated with e-waste. According to the World Health Organization:
E-waste-connected health risks may result from direct contact with harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), from inhalation of toxic fumes, as well as from accumulation of chemicals in soil, water and food. In addition to its hazardous components, being processed, e-waste can give rise to a number of toxic by-products likely to affect human health.
So don’t just toss those old computers and televisions! The landfill is no place for electronic waste and there are better options.
APPLIANCES
When household appliances fall into disrepair or become outdated, we plan for replacements. We often pour countless hours and much effort into choosing new appliances that will best meet our family’s style and needs, but what do we do with the old appliances? Dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, trash compactors, ovens, range tops, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, washers, and dryers can be difficult to dispose of. They are often burdensome to move and require the proper equipment and vehicles to load and transport safely.
If you do decide to move your old appliance out of your home yourself, follow these steps to ensure the safety of you, your helpers, the item, and your home.
- Unplug the appliance and properly disconnect from electricity, gas, or water as applicable. Consult the owners manual or a trusted source for how to do this properly.
- Allow time for the appliance to cool or drain before moving.
- Empty the appliance of all items such a food and accessories.
- Secure door, drawers, and racks to prevent personal injury or property damage.
- Ask for help and use a dolly, as large appliances are much too heavy to be safely moved alone.
Whether you’ve moved the old appliance out on your own or someone else has done that for you, how you dispose of your old appliances depends on the condition of the items and your ability to do the job yourself.
So what are your options for electronic and appliance removal in NWA?
YOU HAVE FIVE RESPONSIBLE OPTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC AND APPLIANCE REMOVAL IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
1. Trade-In
Some retailers will offer trade-in incentives for old televisions, computers, and other electronics. A great example is cell phone providers who will buy back your old phone when you purchase a new phone. Some stores will haul away your old appliances or electronics when they deliver your newly purchases items. Ask about policies and offers when you are researching and planning new purchases.
Incentive programs and trade-in opportunities can be an easy and beneficial method of electronic and appliance removal in NWA.
2. Sell
Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace can be great resources for selling your gently used computers, televisions, gaming equipment, accessories, and appliances. Pawn shops are another option for selling gently used items, but do your research and make an educated decision on what is best for your situation. Whatever option you choose, selling items is a great way to make some cash from your well cared for items and save them from landing in the landfill or taking up precious space in storage.
Use caution when selling items to people you don’t know and follow safety tips like these provided by Craigslist:
- Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe, bank, or shopping center.
- Do not meet in a secluded place, or invite strangers into your home.
- Be especially careful buying/selling high value items.
- Tell a friend or family member where you’re going.
- Take your cell phone along if you have one.
- Consider having a friend accompany you.
- Trust your instincts.
3. Donate.
If your electronics are in working order, consider donating them to a non-profit organization. Not only is this a responsible way to pass along your gently used items, but you can help others in the process. Call ahead or investigate individual policies online before dropping your items off. You want to be certain you are helping someone and not just passing off the trouble of disposing of them. If you choose a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, you may ask for a donation receipt for future tax purposes.
There are many local charities that accept used appliances and electronics. These are but a few.
At Goodwill Industries items “will make their way into Goodwill stores, to the online Goodwill auction site or to the Computer Store.” Depending on your location and the items to be donated, pick-up may be an option.
Habitat For Humanity accepts gently used appliances and some locations accept other household goods. By visiting their website, you can find your local donation center, make contact to confirm the items they accept, and make arrangements for donation. Some locations offer pick-up for large items. If your items are accepted then “proceeds from the sale of these donated goods help families build a foundation for the future.”
According to The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas website, “Your donations of household items and furniture are vital to our programs. $.83 of every dollar goes directly into funding our programs, one of the highest percentages in the nation. Here locally, the funds we make from selling donations at our thrift stores funds our free addiction recovery program.” You can contact them at (479) 521-2151 to confirm accepted items and schedule pick up for your large donations.
These non-profit donation centers provide charitable options for electronic and appliance removal in NWA.
Of course, if you aren’t concerned with tax deductions and would rather make a more personal donation, you can always extend the offer to donate to an individual. A simple conversation, group text, or social media post is often all that’s necessary to find a person who would be grateful to have your gently used items.
4. Recycle.
Recycling is a responsible and readily available option for electronic and appliance removal in NWA.
Best Buy customers can get rid of their old or unwanted appliances and electronics in several ways:
- Recycling kiosks — Every U.S. Best Buy store has kiosks, just inside the front doors, to drop off rechargeable batteries, wires, cords, cables and plastic bags.
- Recycling in store at the Customer Service counter — Best Buy stores accept most electronics, with a few exceptions. See the State-specific recycling information section on the the Electronics and Appliances Recycling page to view program details for your area.
- Appliance and TV haul-away and recycling options — Best Buy will haul away a major appliance or TV from your home for a fee of $19.99 when a replacement product is purchased and delivered by Geek Squad® or Best Buy Home Delivery. A $19.99 service fee will be charged for each appliance that is relocated within the delivery address.
- Reclaimed product from trade-in — If products cannot be refurbished or resold, Best Buy will ensure the products are responsibly recycled.
Earth 911 offers a free recycling directory. Just enter your zip code and they’ll provide a list of recycling resources in your area as well as guides for responsible recycling of common items.
Boston Mountain Solid Waste District offers various recycling options for Northwest Arkansas residents, including e-waste. They will accept “flat screen TVs, VCRs, DVDs, stereos, computer systems or single flat screen monitor or tower ” for $5.00 each. Older tube style televisions and monitors are accepted for a $10 fee. Non-freon appliances are accepted for free. Pick-up is not available. Please take note of their hours of operation and drop off locations.
5. Hire.
Professional junk removal companies like Valet Trash Professionals have the resources, equipment, manpower, and know-how to fill your needs for electronic and appliance removal in NWA. With a simple phone call we can often provide a free estimate for removal and will gladly schedule a pick-up time that is most convenient for you. Our staff will arrive promptly and take care to respect your home and property while we work. We do the heavy lifting and loading so you don’t have to. Our fleet of trucks, trailers, dump trucks, and dumpsters mean that we have just the right equipment to haul your large items away safely.
What does VTP do with your old appliances and electronics?
- If your items are functional and in good condition, VTP will make every effort to donate your item to a charity or individual in need.
- If your items cannot be reasonably or safely reused, we utilize a network of partnerships for responsible recycling of electronics and appliances.
- If reusing or recycling is not an option, you can rest assured that VTP disposes of all items responsibly and according to all safety regulations.
If hiring a professional to get the job done is appealing, you may want to maximize the opportunity by gathering other household junk to be hauled away at the same time. Cleaning out garages, attics, sheds, and closets may amount to a pile of items that you can’t toss in your weekly trash collection cart. Take the time to collect all items that need disposing and make the most out of your junk removal experience. When you call, we can provide you an estimate for the appliance or electronic removal and would be happy to adjust our estimate as needed if you have last minute items to add. You will find this to be a cost-effective strategy for utilizing professional junk removal and your newly uncluttered home and storage spaces will be worth the effort! Valet Trash Professionals can meet your needs for electronic and appliance removal in NWA! (479) 236-4981