Is recycling computer monitors important? Does it make a difference?
Yes, a huge one in fact! It is the responsibility of every individual to play their part in curbing the increasing amount of electronic waste and contribute towards a greener planet.
Many outdated and obsolete computers add up to the piles of e-waste each year and pollute the environment. The toxic nature of electronic waste makes it really dangerous for the environment as it not only impacts the soil quality but also pollutes the nearby waterbody and reduces the breathing air quality.
Recycling computer monitors and electronic waste is an important aspect of sustainability that needs special attention. This detailed guide will discuss the disposal and recycling of computer monitors and TVs.
Why do we need to recycle computer monitors?
As time has passed by, the public is more inclined towards laptops and advanced PCs, leaving behind the old monitors. These monitors are not just toxic to the environment but also a waste of the energy and raw materials used to make them.
There is a long list of reasons of recycling but we have discussed a few major ones. Here are some of the reasons why one must consider old monitor recycling in order to play your part in keeping the planet cleaner and greener.
To dial down the roaring climate change
Climate change is not a problem of the future anymore as we are seeing devastating effects happening in the world right now. Flash floods, droughts, hotter climate and severe storms are in daily news.
One of the main reasons why climate change has hit our planet hard is our carbon footprint. After industrialisation, the world went crazy and did not hold back while producing new technology.
You ask how can we curb climate change by old monitor recycling?
Well, if each individual starts playing their part, eventually over seven billion recycling projects will make a huge difference.
You must reduce your share of the carbon footprint by recycling computer monitors, and promote the practice by convincing more people to do it. Eventually, a huge impact can be made.
Reduce toxins released into the environment
By recycling computer monitors, you will be able to reduce the harmful toxins released in the environment. Here are some toxic chemicals released from e-waste that negatively impact human health.
Chemicals |
Health Impacts |
| Lead | Lead inhalation can cause nerve and brain damage leading to retardation and paralysis. It also adversely impacts kidney function at low level exposure. It can be lethal if consumed in higher amounts. |
| Sulphur | It produces sulphuric acid on reaction with environmental elements that can cause acid burns or blindness if contacted with eyes. |
| Cadmium | Inhaling cadmium causes respiratory disorders and kidney problems leading to renal failure on higher consumption. Its low-level exposure causes brain damage and anemia and high dosage can be lethal. |
| Polyvinyl | It contains radiotoxic elements that can impact human health when mixed with nearby water and also pollutes the breathing air. |
Save landfills from dumped electronics
The landfills are piled up and use up all the extra land spared from agriculture or industrialisation. If we keep on increasing our electronic waste at this speed, we will impact our ability to produce food or we will take the land that is reserved for wildlife. The negative impacts of technology might lead us to a dead-end.
We must start doing something with our waste because the space is running out and we don’t want the next generations to live among piles of toxic garbage.
Many impacts of e-waste are recorded especially when disposed of irresponsibly. It deteriorates the agricultural soil and the toxins also mix with the water, polluting the drinking water. Such toxins can also be released into the air and the nearby population can face various health issues.

Reconditioned monitors may serve the community
You can either donate your old monitors to a school or give them away to a charity organisation where they can make use of them after repair. The best practice for your old computer monitors is to fix the issues and reuse them by yourself or give them away.
You can pass it on to some relative or kids to play around with instead of having them buy new devices and wasting the old ones.
Recover valuable parts for reuse
Monitors have many materials involved in the making and all of them can be reused in the tech and other industries as well.
Here are some of the reusable materials extracted while recycling computer monitors and how they can be used.
Materials |
Industries to Reuse Them |
| Plastics | Many companies like Adidas, Allbirds, Parley, Tesco use recycled plastics. They can also be used in different manufacturing and construction industries. |
| Glass | Glass can be used by tech production industries. |
| Metals | Precious metals like gold and silver can be used in jewellery making and computer manufacturing. |
| Wires and Cables | Different types of wires and cables used in monitors can be reused in electricity, automobile and industrial manufacturing. |
| Batteries | The old batteries recovered from battery-monitors can be refurbished to be used in vehicles, toys, and machinery. |
Limit the carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases that you emit is your carbon footprint. It includes the carbon dioxide and methane released into the environment.
So, how much of it is released when monitors are made?
The e-waste facts are staggering. If we talk about the manufacture of a basic monitor, it releases around 606 kg of carbon dioxide. Here we are not even talking about the fancy monitors with high-quality features. If such a small step of yours can save this much energy, why would you choose otherwise.
It’s all about making the right choices when it comes to sustainability of the planet. Computer IT Disposals is working for this cause so join hands.
Different methods of recycling computer monitors
We have heard that we must keep a limit on our electronic gadgets but the issue here is, we have not always been sustainable.
The world just realised how much worse it has done and now a lot of old monitors sit uselessly in the attics. We better get them recycled and safely disposed of but how?
Here are some of the ways you can enjoy recycling computer monitors without the guilt of producing so much e-waste.
Professional e-waste and monitor recycling center
The final destination of every piece of electronics after you have tried reusing, donating, and fixing them, is a professional e-waste recycling center. Such organisations collect electronic waste from around the country and recycle computer parts.
Here any equipment that contains data would be taken apart for further processing. All the useful materials are separated to be sent to different industries respectively.
Such raw materials are either used by electronics companies to make new electronics without mining for more raw materials. Or else, they are sent to other industries that deal with the particular material.
Such companies use a wide variety of data destruction methods in order to keep your privacy intact. These shredding procedures are applied to the electronics before the recycling and disposal procedure starts.
At the end your electronics is not a piece of e-waste, but some useful materials that different manufacturing companies are looking for.
Look for your local centers for monitor recycling by searching for related terms such as “IT disposals”, or “monitor recycling” as shown in the image below.

Manufacturer’s recycling programs
Many companies such as Dell and Acer offer a special manufacturer’s recycling program. This is the perfect opportunity to make the most use out of your old devices.
If you have a bunch of monitors sitting around at your home and you have no other use for them, why not send them back to where they came from?
This way you make sure that each part of the devices will be efficiently used again in new devices and tonnes of energy would be saved with this simple practice. It does not cost you anything but it can save the planet.
Local waste facility
There are many local facilities for recycling your old computer monitors if you think they are leaking some toxic liquids. They have expertise in safely disposing of any such material so make sure to consult them.
One option that you don’t have is to throw the monitors in the trash can or recycling bin. Be nice to your environment and let professionals deal with something that is out of your capacity.
For that matter, local waste facilities are really important. The only issue here is that you are not sure if they are recycling the materials. If you think a lot of the material on your monitor can be used, go for IT recyclers.
Charity organisation
If your monitors are in working condition and you don’t need them, you can go to different charity organisations and donate to them. You can also donate those to a local school where many kids can use them.
This option is for those who are sure that they don’t need recycling computer monitors and their devices just need a few fixes. It is an even greener step if you decide to donate instead of recycling.
What would be better than sending your old gadgets to help underprivileged children? The world needs more kindness and the right direction for a sustainable future for the coming generations.
5 Steps of recycling computer monitors
The best and safest way of recycling computer monitors is by getting help from professional e-waste recycling centres. In such organisations, a computer recycling process is followed to make sure efficient results are achieved and the purpose is fulfilled.
One such IT recycler is CITD offering efficient services in the UK, here is how their computer recycling process works.

1. Pre-processing and reporting
First of all, every piece of equipment that reaches the facility is reported and recorded. Along with getting all the details of the equipment, the details of the donor are also mentioned in the record.
The type of services that the client wants are noted and the equipment is later sent for the next step of dismantling.
2. Dismantling
This step involves the professional dismantling of the equipment which involves carefully disassembling the pieces. In this step, after removing the screws, all the pieces of the monitor are taken apart. The screen, back and internal pieces are separated.
Then the next step is to break them down for further industrial procedure. Here the materials are prepared for the next destination.
3. Removal of hazardous materials
This is an important step because it deals with the removal of any toxic and hazardous material from the old monitors. It involves proper disposal of dangerous chemicals that may be present in the circuitry of the monitor.
4. Separation of useful materials
This is where all the useful and reusable materials are taken apart. There is a combination of plastics along with metals such as tin, aluminum and copper.
There is also something special in there, hints of precious metals such as gold and silver are found in the circuits inside the machinery. These metals are carefully taken apart and sent to the respective industries.
5. Shredding and sorting
In this final step, the materials that are to be shredded go in the shredder. It is especially for devices that require data destruction services.
How to avail CITD monitor recycling program?
CITD is an IT recycler for your old and redundant electronics based in Nottingham. We offer our services in different locations all around the UK for convenience. In order to get services for recycling computer monitors in the UK, you have to follow some simple steps mentioned below.
Contact us
Visit our website to check various services and contact us via phone number or email as mentioned in the infographic below.
We pick up 20+ items
Our team will pick up the old monitors and other electronics equipment from your location. The only condition is that there must be 20 or more items to get the free pick-up service from your location. You can share the location with our team and choose a time that is convenient for you.
Professional monitor recycling to save the environment
Our professional team will bring the equipment to the facility, separate the items based on the type and dismantle them to remove useful materials. Your IT equipment is then passed through the computer recycling process and reused for a greener ecosystem. This is how you can save the world by recycling computer monitors.

FAQs
Do monitors need to be recycled?
Yes, the importance of recycling computer monitors needs special attention and you must make sure to recycle your old electronics, including the monitors.
Can you put monitors in recycling bins?
Computer monitors are too huge to put in recycling bins. If you want free computer monitor recycling in the UK, you can contact CITD. They will pick up the equipment from your location and securely dispose of computer monitors and recycle them for you.
What can I do with my old computer monitors in the UK?
If you have old computer monitors that you are not willing to use, you have a few options. You can either donate them, or get them fixed for reuse but if these are not the options, you can recycle your old monitor with the help of CITD.
Final Word
Do you have some old monitors that need recycling? If yes, this is the time to take action!
There is an increasing need for an environmentally conscious society. Recycling has become the main focus of individuals who wish to reduce the amount of waste that is deposited in landfills and incinerators.
Climate change is a huge issue and cannot be solved unless we try together. There are many ways to take a step and recycling your old electronics is just one of them. Get recycling computer monitors services from CITD and do planet earth a favour. The Earth has given infinite resources to you and it’s time to give back.
Computer monitor recycling allows you to reuse all the useful material and is just one way of dealing with increasing e-waste with growing technology.
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