Where can I throw electronic trash?

The electronic waste is any electrical or electronic equipment ( EEE ) that want to get rid of. During their useful life, they use electric current or electromagnetic fields to function. They use less than 1000 V in alternating current and 1,500 V in direct current.

That is, if it is an object that works thanks to batteries, battery or plugged into electricity, it will be an EEA. Also included in this group are the devices necessary to generate, transmit and measure such currents and fields. 

If, in addition, they come from homes or businesses, industries, institutions that, by their nature and quantity, are similar to those from homes, they will be considered household waste.

For example, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, consoles, electric drills, mobile phones, tablets or computers are such devices. These are widely used and, likewise, frequently discarded objects. When they stop working, they become WEEE (waste electrical or electronic equipment).

To identify these elements and separate them from the rest of the waste, there are recycling symbols that should always appear in the electronic waste.

Where do you throw electronic waste?

Millions of tons of electronic waste are generated every year and must be deposited in clean points. It is evident, because it is clear that large appliances must end up at these points, but it is not so easy to identify when it comes to smaller electronic devices such as mobiles, hard drives, a simple mixer or the chargers of different devices. Here you can get the best service for electronics recycling.

How do I find a clean spot?

There are fixed and mobile clean points. The former tend to be further away from the city, while the latter seek to facilitate the process by approaching different areas of the cities.

Each town hall must offer a detailed list of clean points in the municipality. For example, in the case of Madrid, there is a map that marks the location of the numerous places where this type of waste can be deposited. In addition, you can check the situation of each clean point in a search engine that brings together all of Spain.

Alternatives for electronic waste

There are always "renewal" plans by many telephone and computer companies that allow depositing damaged or obsolete electronic devices in their establishments. Similarly, you can buy second-hand devices that are more affordable.

On the other hand, manufacturing companies also tend to recycle their own products. There is also the option to donate them, in case the electronic products still work and are in good condition. With these actions, the circular economy is encouraged, the digital divide is reduced and the generation of unnecessary electronic scrap is avoided.