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The article touts the recyclability of many of these items, but recycling them is a pain. Until consumers can simply toss electronics in a curbside bin or easil

The article touts the recyclability of many of these items, but recycling them is a pain. Until consumers can simply toss electronics in a curbside bin or easily drop off a handful for free at the local big box electronics store, it won't happen in the States. Even glass, which we all recognize as recyclable, isn't feasibly recyclable in many municipalities. Sure, you can save it, sort it, and take it to a special facility, but most people won't because it's a time consuming hassle.

nightski 3y ago
Our city no longer takes glass, it's kind of sad.
- kingnothing 3y ago
  Same here and I completely agree. I'm somewhat surprised we also don't go the reusable route like Germany. Pick up a case of sodas or beers in glass bottles from the store to take home, then bring back a case of empties when you return. They get washed, refilled, and re-used. I feel like that should be overall cheaper than treating glass bottles as single use.
royjacobs 3y ago
Here in The Netherlands there's a recycling box next to my local (walking distance) convenience store. There are separate openings for cables, phones, chargers, etc. It works really well and it makes it effortless to toss in an unused cable or whatever into my shopping bag whenever I need to pick up some groceries.
- gonzo41 3y ago
  But does it get recycled? We had similar in Australia for soft plastics, but classic startup style, lots of plastics were collected, none were recycled. The recycling part, well that was the hard problem that was being ignored right up until the company offering the recycling program collapsed.
tgsovlerkhgsel 3y ago
> easily drop off a handful for free at the local big box electronics store I believe this is required in the EU (electronics stores, with some exceptions for tiny ones etc., need to accept any electronic device up to a certain size whether sold there or not, and recycle it properly - I think the cost is ultimately paid by the seller or manufacturer through some chargeback scheme).

nightski 3y ago

Our city no longer takes glass, it's kind of sad.

kingnothing 3y ago
Same here and I completely agree. I'm somewhat surprised we also don't go the reusable route like Germany. Pick up a case of sodas or beers in glass bottles from the store to take home, then bring back a case of empties when you return. They get washed, refilled, and re-used. I feel like that should be overall cheaper than treating glass bottles as single use.

royjacobs 3y ago

Here in The Netherlands there's a recycling box next to my local (walking distance) convenience store. There are separate openings for cables, phones, chargers, etc. It works really well and it makes it effortless to toss in an unused cable or whatever into my shopping bag whenever I need to pick up some groceries.

gonzo41 3y ago
But does it get recycled? We had similar in Australia for soft plastics, but classic startup style, lots of plastics were collected, none were recycled. The recycling part, well that was the hard problem that was being ignored right up until the company offering the recycling program collapsed.

tgsovlerkhgsel 3y ago

> easily drop off a handful for free at the local big box electronics store I believe this is required in the EU (electronics stores, with some exceptions for tiny ones etc., need to accept any electronic device up to a certain size whether sold there or not, and recycle it properly - I think the cost is ultimately paid by the seller or manufacturer through some chargeback scheme).