How to Dispose of Old Computer Keyboard?

A computer set is incomplete without a keyboard, so if you’ve got a desktop computer at home, you’ll obviously have a keyboard too.

Keyboards are the most roughly used component of a computer set and won’t last forever.

If you just bought a new keyboard, you may be wondering how to dispose of the old keyboard. If yes, continue reading ahead!

How to Dispose of Computer Keyboard?

Let’s explore the numerous options when it comes to disposing of old computer keyboards.

Donate the Keyboard

If your computer keyboard is still working and is in good shape, you can always donate it to someone who could use it.

It can be your friend or anyone in your circle who might not want to spend too much money on a keyboard. You can also donate your keyboard or any other piece of computer equipment to Goodwill or Salvation Army.

You can also consider donating your keyboard to a local school, community center, or non-profit organization. They may be able to use it for educational purposes or to help those in need.

This way, your keyboard will continue to stay in use and won’t end up in landfills.

Sell the Keyboard

You can also sell your old computer keyboard at a fraction of the price that you purchased it at, provided that your keyboard is still in perfect working order.

You shouldn’t consider selling or donating your laptop if it isn’t functioning fully. That’s extremely unethical.

If the only reason you’re disposing of your computer keyboard is that you bought an advanced model, and your old keyboard is working just fine, you can definitely earn some money by selling it!

Look For Recycling Companies

If your keyboard isn’t in perfect working condition and you donating or selling it isn’t an option, you should consider recycling it.

The keyboard is majorly made of plastic, and the best thing about plastic products is that they can be recycled in numerous ways.

However, if you don’t have the time or energy to recycle your old computer keyboard yourself, you can always look for responsible recycling companies who can take care of your keyboard for you.

Professional recycling companies will dismantle the keyboard into its respective components and put the parts that can be used to good use.

They’ll ensure that the keyboard doesn’t end up in landfills.

Exchange the Keyboard

Some manufacturers offer a service where you can exchange your old computer keyboards with newer models and only pay a small amount for the new laptop.

You can check with your keyboard manufacturer to see if they offer the service. If they do, it’s one of the best options!

Not only does it help you get rid of your old laptop, but it also gets you a new one cheaper!

Repurpose the Keyboard

If you’re into fun DIY projects, you can put your old computer keyboard to good use.

You’ll be amazed to know how many ways your computer keyboard can be used in small DIY projects.

Here are a few ideas:

• Use it for a different device: If your keyboard is compatible with other devices, such as a tablet or smartphone, you can repurpose it to use with those devices instead.
• Create art: Get creative and turn your keyboard into a piece of art. You can use the keys to spell out words or create a design.
• Make jewelry: You can also use the keys to make unique jewelry pieces, such as earrings or necklaces.
• Use it for parts: If you are handy with electronics, you can take apart your keyboard and use the parts for other projects.

By repurposing your keyboard, you can give it a new life and keep it out of the landfill.

Plus, you may discover a new hobby or interest in the process.

Also read: How To Dispose Of Computer Monitors?

Recycling Your Old Keyboard

Many electronics retailers and manufacturers offer recycling programs that will take your old keyboard and dispose of it in an environmentally responsible way.

Recycling will bring the usable components of the keyboard into use and prevent all of the keyboards from ending up in landfills.

Recycling will ensure zero contribution from your side toward environmental damage.

Since you know how much the plastics and chemicals used in making keyboards can harm the environment, it’s best to keep them from ending up in landfills.

Here are some steps to follow when recycling your old computer keyboard:

1. Find a Recycling Center: Start by finding a local recycling center that accepts electronics. Many centers will accept keyboards for recycling.
2. Check with Major Retailers: Many major retailers like Best Buy and Staples offer electronics recycling programs. Check with them to see if they accept keyboards.
3. Use Call2Recycle: Call2Recycle is a program that accepts batteries and electronics for recycling. They have a search feature on their website that allows you to find a drop-off location near you.
4. Use Earth911: Earth911 is a website that helps you find local recycling centers. They have a search feature that allows you to find a recycling center that accepts electronics in your area.
5. Prepare Your Keyboard for Recycling: Before recycling your keyboard, make sure to remove any personal data from the device. You can do this by wiping the hard drive or using a data destruction program.
6. Deliver Your Keyboard: Once you have found a recycling center that accepts keyboards, deliver your keyboard to them. Some centers may charge a fee for recycling electronics, so make sure to check before dropping off your keyboard.

Also read: What to Do With Old Headphones?

Why You Shouldn’t Throw Keyboards in the Trash

When it’s time to dispose of your old computer keyboard, you might be tempted to throw it in the trash and be done with it.

However, this is not a good idea.

Here’s why:

Environmental Impact

When you throw a keyboard in the trash, it ends up in a landfill.

Landfills are not designed to break down electronic waste, and keyboards can take hundreds of years to decompose.

This means that your old keyboard will be sitting in the landfill for a very long time, taking up space and potentially leaking harmful chemicals into the environment.

Plastic and Carcinogens

Most computer keyboards are made of plastic, which is not biodegradable.

This means that if you throw your keyboard in the trash, it will sit in the landfill for a very long time, taking up space and potentially releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.

Additionally, computer keyboards are often coated with brominated flame retardants, which are known carcinogens.

Incineration

If you’re thinking of burning your old keyboard instead of throwing it in the trash, think again.

Burning electronic waste releases toxic chemicals into the air, which can harm both human health and the environment.

Incineration is not a safe or responsible way to dispose of your old keyboard.

Why It’s Advisable To Contact Professional Recyclers?

When we talk about recycling computer keyboards, you’ve got to separate the recyclable and non-recyclable hazardous components.

If you’ve never done this before, you might not know how to do it. In fact, you can’t do this highly technical task without prior training or experience.

Trying to separate a computer keyboard’s recyclable and non-recyclable parts can result in injuries or exposure to harmful chemicals.

Trying to disassemble a keyboard or any electronic item yourself without training or guidance is as dangerous as tossing e-waste into the garbage.

For this reason, it’s highly advisable that you don’t attempt to do it yourself. Look for reputable recyclers that you can trust.

Professional recycles have trained staff that knows how to handle e-waste.

Not only do they handle the e-waste properly, but they also bring the usable components into great use and discard the rest of the unusable waste correctly.

Choosing The Right E-Waste Recyclers

If you’ve decided to hand over your old computer keyboard to a professional recycler and let them take care of it for you, you should ensure that you choose the right recyclers.

Trusting the wrong e-waste recyclers is equivalent to disposing of the computer keyboard the wrong way, which will eventually harm the ecosystem.

Below are some tips that will help you choose the right recyclers to recycle and dispose of your old computer keyboard.

Enquire About Their Procedures

The most important thing that you must ask a potential recycling company is how they recycle computer keyboards.

If they simply crush them and dump them in the landfills, they are pretty much doing what we’re advising you not to do!

The recycling company should be able to walk you through the process they use to recycle and dispose of old computer keyboards without any hesitation.

In case they show reluctance or give you the usual ‘confidentiality’ excuses, know that your computer keyboard won’t be disposed of correctly.

Ask About How They Can Facilitate You

One of the many reasons why many people dispose of computer keyboards in their trash is the hassle they’ve got to go through otherwise.

Not many people have got the time and temperament to manage proper disposal.

If the recyclers want you to drop an old computer keyboard at their facility, you may not do it because if you had the energy, you would have taken care of the disposal yourself.

Choose a recycler who can pick up the old computer keyboard from your house so that there’s no excuse for not disposing of the old computer keyboard responsibly.

Manufacturer and Retailer Programs

If you’re looking to dispose of your computer keyboard, you may want to consider manufacturer and retailer programs.

Many manufacturers and retailers have programs in place to help you recycle or dispose of your old keyboard in an environmentally friendly way.

Apple Trade-In Program

Apple has a trade-in program where you can trade in your old keyboard for credit towards a new one.

This program is available both online and in-store.

You can check the value of your old keyboard on Apple’s website and then bring it into an Apple Store to receive credit towards a new one.

Other Manufacturer Programs

Other manufacturers may also have programs in place to help you dispose of your old keyboard.

For example, Dell has a recycling program where you can send in your old keyboard (and other electronics) for free recycling.

HP also has a recycling program where you can send in your old keyboard (and other electronics) for free recycling.

Retailer Programs

Many retailers also have programs in place to help you dispose of your old keyboard. F

or example, Best Buy has a recycling program where you can bring in your old keyboard (and other electronics) for free recycling.

Staples also has a recycling program where you can bring in your old keyboard (and other electronics) for free recycling.

Some retailers may also offer gift cards in exchange for your old keyboard. For example, Staples offers a $10 Staples eCash card for every eligible device recycled. Best Buy offers a Best Buy gift card in exchange for eligible devices.

Overall, manufacturer and retailer programs can be a great way to dispose of your old keyboard in an environmentally friendly way.

Not only can you recycle your old keyboard, but you may also be able to receive credit towards a new one or even a gift card.

Be sure to check with your manufacturer or retailer to see what programs they have in place.

The 3 R’s

The rule of 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle is what you must follow when dealing with any electronic waste, like old computer keyboards.

Reduce

The first approach towards managing e-waste, like old computer keyboards, is to reduce the waste in the first place.

If you want to buy a new keyboard because your old one isn’t working as well as it once did, first try to repair it.

You can buy a new keyboard if the old one can’t be repaired.

Reuse

If you’ve bought a new keyboard to upgrade to a newer model, you should look for ways to keep it from ending up in landfills.

You can donate or sell the computer keyboard that you no longer want to use so that it stays in use as long as possible.

Recycle

Keyboards are made of plastic, and this makes them absolutely recyclable. If your computer keyboard is damaged beyond repair, recycle it.

Now that you know throwing away old computer keyboards in the trash isn’t an option, you might want to know your options.

Also read: How To Dispose of Floppy Disks?

Understanding E-Waste

When electronic devices such as keyboards, phones, and laptops reach the end of their useful life, they become electronic waste or e-waste.

E-waste is a serious environmental issue because old electronics in landfills can leak hazardous chemicals into our soil and water, leading to environmental pollution and health risks.

Unfortunately, only about 20% of e-waste is appropriately recycled.

To combat this problem, many municipalities and states have e-waste recycling laws that require manufacturers to provide e-waste recycling programs or to pay for the recycling of their products.

Recycling e-waste helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and protects the environment from hazardous materials.

E-waste can be recycled in specialized recycling facilities or through e-waste recycling programs offered by manufacturers and retailers.

When disposing of a computer keyboard, it’s essential to recycle it appropriately to prevent it from ending up in a landfill.

Most municipal solid waste agencies offer e-waste recycling programs, making it easy to recycle your old keyboard.

You can also take your keyboard to a recycling facility or use an e-waste recycling program offered by a manufacturer or retailer.

In conclusion, understanding e-waste is crucial to protect the environment and human health.

Recycling e-waste is an effective way to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and to prevent hazardous materials from polluting our soil and water.

By recycling your old computer keyboard, you’re doing your part to help protect the environment and promote sustainability.

Also read: How to Dispose Of a Printer?

Frequently Asked Questions About Disposing or Recycling Old Keyboards

Below are some of the common queries people have when it comes to disposing or recycling old computer keyboards:

Bottom Line

Computer keyboards come under the category of hazardous electronic waste, and just like any other electronic waste, you can’t throw them directly in your trash.

You can donate, sell, reuse, and repurpose, or recycle the old computer keyboard that you don’t need anymore.

As far as the recycling of electronic waste is concerned, your best bet is to trust a reputable e-waste recycling company that can take care of computer keyboard disposal end to end!

Other articles you may also like:

• How to Dispose of Hard Drives?
• How to Dispose of Old Routers?