Recycle Headphones So They Don't Crowd Landfills

Headphones contain a variety of materials that can be recycled. Instead of throwing them away, recycle headphones and earbuds so they don't crowd landfills. Of course, this is if you do not have durable headphones to begin with..

Manufacturers often have recycling programs for their products. Check with your manufacturer for details.

Other electronics retailers and recycling centers may also have in-store drop-off points or mail-in programs. Earth911 has a tool to help you find locations that accept various electronics.

Manufacturers

It is important to recycle your headphones or earbuds when they are no longer in use. This will help to prevent them from being thrown away in the garbage, which is a hazardous waste material. Many cities and towns have hazardous waste disposal programs that can help you safely dispose of electronics such as headphones.

Headphones are made with a variety of materials, including plastics, metals, and foam. These materials are recyclable, but they need to be separated for recycling. This is why it’s best to recycle headphones directly with their manufacturer. For example, JLab offers a headphone recycling program where you can send your old headphones to them.

You can also recycle headphones at local recycling centers. These facilities accept most electronics, including headphones and earbuds. You can find a list of recycling centers by state at the Environmental Protection Agency’s website. When purchasing new headphones, try to choose a pair that is easily repairable or that has spare parts available. Also, keep your headphones clean if at all possible.

Big-Box Retailers

From the tiny earbuds that come with iPods to the giant headphones athletes favor, most people have used a pair of headphones at some point. Headphones contain three key components: tiny speakers, a casing to hold the speakers and a cord to connect them to a device. They are often made of plastic, and the type of plastic matters: Some can be recycled; others cannot.

Big-box retailers like Best Buy offer recycling programs for electronics that include headphones. You may be able to find one near you by entering your zip code in a dropdown menu on the retailer’s website. Some manufacturers also offer their own recycling programs. JLab Audio, for example, asks you to enter your headphones’ make and model so it can generate a prepaid shipping label.

Cyber Acoustics

Rather than throw out old disposable headphones/headsets, consider giving them to friends or family members who might want an upgrade. They'll likely appreciate the gift, and you'll help reduce electronic waste in landfills.

E-waste can weather away and contaminate the soil, so dumping it in landfills is a bad idea. Aside from the environmental impact, it could also create a fire hazard. Instead, you should look into electronics recycling programs to dispose of and recycle your headsets.

Cyber Acoustics offers a program that accepts wired headsets and other PC peripherals to be recycled for free. The company's goal is to prevent e-waste from ending up in landfills, which contributes to pollution and the erosion of the planet.

Many online headphone and audio equipment retailers offer a recycling program. For example, JLab sells its products through a website, and customers can mail them their headsets to the New Hampshire-based company to be recycled. JLab even rewards participants with a discount on the next purchase of its headphones.

Think sound

Whether you have a tiny pair of earbuds or the giant headphones that athletes favor, it is important to recycle them. When discarded headphones go into landfills, they can release toxic chemicals that harm the environment. Headphones and earbuds are made with all sorts of materials, including metals and plastics. Some may not be recyclable, but a professional recycling company can separate and dispose of them without damaging the environment.

If your headphones are still in good condition, consider donating them to a thrift store or charity. Someone else can make use of them instead of throwing them away, and it will save you money on your next purchase of sound accessories. In addition, check with your local recycling center to see if they offer electronics recycling. Even if you only use your headphones to listen to music, consider recycling when you are done with your headphones.