This summer, PRC and Allegheny CleanWays have launched a new Eco Scouts program to empower individuals with the skills needed to tackle waste management. But you don’t need to attend an in-person session to learn the tricks of the trade when it comes to electronics recycling.
Consider this your “cheat sheet” — and share it with friends/family/neighbors.
Good news: repair, reuse, and responsible electronics recycling are all within reach!
Don’t Toss It, Fix It: Your Guide to Electronics Repair and Recycling
We’ve all been there – staring at that mysterious box of tangled cords, wondering what half of them even connect to, or looking at a perfectly good appliance that just stopped working one day. Before you send items to a landfill, consider this: according to the Environmental Protection Agency 1,304 million electronics (TVs, cell phones and monitors) were removed from U.S. households in 2005, with about two-thirds of them still in working order, according to Consumer Electronics Association. The good news? You don’t have to let that broken toaster or cracked phone screen defeat you. PRC and our community partners are here to help you repair, reuse, and responsibly recycle your electronics.
Learn to Fix It Yourself
Start with iFixit – This incredible resource offers step-by-step illustrated guides and videos for repairing almost anything. Planning to buy a new device? Check out its smartphone repairability guide to choose electronics that will not only last longer but can actually be fixed when they break. Visit iFixit.com and explore its Foundation to learn more about the right-to-repair movement.
Get Hands-On Help at Community Events
Repair Cafés bring together broken items and expert fixers in a friendly, collaborative environment. Join us at:
- Saturday, July 12 – Repair Café at Construction Junction REGISTER NOW
- Saturday, July 26 – Really Really Free Market at Liberty Green Park REGISTER NOW
Bring your broken electronics, small appliances, clothing, or furniture and learn from experts how to breathe new life into your items. Registration is recommended for both events.
Eco Scouts Learning Sessions offer another great opportunity to explore repair and reuse:
- Tuesday, July 8 – McKeesport REGISTER NOW
- Thursday, July 10 – Homewood REGISTER NOW
These sessions combine education with hands-on practice, featuring partnerships with organizations including Old Flame Mending where you will not only learn how to use IFIXIT’s resources but how to mend your old clothes.
Give Your Items a Creative Second Life
Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse offers another fantastic option for high-quality items that still have life in them. You can donate materials that others can use for creative projects or participate in its inspiring events and classes to see how everyday items can be transformed into something amazing.
When Repair Isn’t Possible: Responsible Recycling
Sometimes an item is beyond saving, but that doesn’t mean it belongs in the trash. PRC hosts Hard to Recycle Collection Events where you can drop off your old electronics and other difficult-to-recycle items:
- Saturday, August 2 – Elizabeth-Forward Middle School, Allegheny County
- Saturday, August 23 – Boyce Park, Allegheny County
For appliances containing Freon, we partner with the Appliance Warehouse in Pittsburgh. Call if you have appliances that need proper recycling.
The Bottom Line
Before you toss that “broken” gadget or mystery cord, remember: repair, reuse, and responsible electronics recycling are all within reach. Our community has the tools, knowledge, and events to help you make the most sustainable choice for your electronics.
Ready to get started? Pick an option that works for you and join the movement creating a Pennsylvania where nothing is wasted!
For more information about upcoming events and resources, visit PRC.org.