With proper care and maintenance, some household appliances can last decades or even longer. But when it comes time to dispose of them, care should also be taken to do so in a way that doesn’t cause harm to the environment. Here’s some information on how to recycle your appliances when it’s time for a replacement.

What Happens to Unwanted Appliances?

More often than not, old and unwanted appliances are left on the street to be collected by the garbage collector. These appliances end up in the landfill with the rest of your garbage. Because they’re made of materials that aren’t biodegradable, they rust, polluting the earth for as long as they remain.

Environmental Effects of Junking Old Appliances

Disposing of appliances in landfills is harmful to the environment because it leads to the accumulation of excess waste for which there is finite room for dumping.

Some appliances also contain chemicals that are detrimental to the environment. Refrigerants and some insulators, for example, are made up of chemicals that harm the ozone layer. The EPA has passed regulations governing the disposal of refrigerants and who bears responsibility for doing so. Other components in appliances that are hazardous to the environment include used oils, PCBs, and mercury. If allowed to end up in landfills, these chemicals will eventually seep into and contaminate the soil and groundwater.

How to Recycle Old Appliances

Most appliances’ parts can be repurposed for alternative uses. Broken appliances can be used for scrap metal after undergoing treatment to remove and dispose of harmful chemicals and other substances. Large appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers, can all be easily recycled with the help of professionals. Many appliance recycling organizations will pick up the appliances right from your house to save you the hassle. While other, smaller devices, such as microwaves and dishwashers, may be easy to carry out of your home and throw away, remember these can also be easily recycled, as well.

If you have an old appliance, take care of it the responsible way with Evage Electronic Recycling in Harrison, AR. This environmentally-friendly option for getting rid of your unwanted appliances is EPA-certified. They also provide data destruction services for those recycling computers with sensitive information on them. For more information on their services, visit their website or call them at (870) 416-2294.