Every tool or piece of equipment has a lifespan. This usually lasts around 10 years, but depending on how you use it, it could last longer. When the time comes to dispose of these tools or equipment, then you should do so.
Disposing of your vacuum cleaner can be challenging if you do not know how to do it properly. Many people are unaware of the correct way to dispose of a vacuum cleaner and end up throwing it away, which can be dangerous as it contains harmful substances. Recycling your vacuum cleaner is the best way to ensure it is disposed of correctly.
This guide will provide you with all the information you need to recycle your vacuum cleaner. I will go over everything from what materials can be recycled to where you can take it.
Is It Possible To Recycle My Vacuum Cleaner?
Most people don’t have any idea about recycling a vacuum cleaner. They become confused about where to start from. The vacuum cleaner can be recycled as they are made from safe material.
There are a few products in the market where recycling is not possible as it contains hazardous materials. So, when it comes to a vacuum cleaner, you don’t have to worry about that.
Importance Of Recycling A Vacuum Cleaner
Well, the importance of recycling a vacuum cleaner is immense. Here are some factors you can take into your consideration:
E-Waste
Usually, discarded electronic products are known as E-waste. As you can understand, the vacuum cleaner is also E-waste. This type of equipment is supposed to have short durability. That’s why it has become a challenge to recycle them properly.
Besides, the number of electronic products in every family is increasing rapidly. According to research, about 38 million units of vacuum cleaners will be sold in the United States by 2023.
Without it, each year about 20 kilograms of e-waste are produced by American and Canadian people. Among them, the percentage of recycled e-waste is only 20 percent. In total, only 35 percent of e-waste is recycled worldwide.
According to the experts, this trend will result in 120 million waste production by 2050 which is a great threat to mankind.
Saving The Environment
In order to save the environment from hazardous pollution, vacuum cleaners should be recycled. Usually what people do is through the cleaner in the garbage and then burn it.
People don’t have any idea that vacuum cleaners are not biodegradable. Because it contains heavy metals like iron, copper, and aluminum. These metals can be dangerous as they release toxic fumes while burning. This fume will get mixed with our environment. Thus environmental pollution occurs.
Economical Advantages
The economical value of e-waste is immense. It offers approximately $62.5 billion income per year which is really impressive. Undoubtedly the recycling process has the ability to contribute to the economy of a country.
Apart from that, the number of recycling factories is increasing day by day. As a result of the new factory, a lot of people are getting opportunities to work and the companies are paying a hefty amount of tax.
Making The World Clean
Fortunately, most vacuum cleaners fall under the recycling criteria. As this product is made using steel, it can be melted down for making parts of new devices. Besides, plastic has a long reputation for use as plant pots, car dashboards, furniture and so on.
Energy Saving
Recycling offers a huge amount of energy. It is found that you can power your vacuum cleaner for about 34 hours using one kilogram of recycled plastic. The recycled part is the metallic portions of your vacuum cleaner that save maximum energy.
Basically, your vacuum cleaner material will decide how much energy will be saved. Iron and steel can save up to 72 percent energy.
Decreasing The Emissions Of Carbon Dioxide
No doubt that the higher vacuum production will result in a high amount of carbon dioxide emission. Obviously, you will require less input to make use of existing devices rather than producing new ones. Thus the emission of this toxic gas will reduce greatly.
How to Recycle a Vacuum Cleaner
When you talk about recycling a vacuum cleaner, you have a few options to follow. The options are:
Recycling Centers
As vacuum cleaners hold a good amount of plastic, they are ideal for recycling purposes. The parts of vacuum cleaners, for instance, hoses, cords and body housing are reusable. It is possible to meltdown this plastic and makes useful things like shampoo bottles and traffic cones.
You may not find this facility in your locality though. In this case, you need to give it a quick check before making any step.
Selling Parts
You have the option to sell some parts of your vacuum cleaner as they are reusable without the vacuum. These parts are-: hoses, nozzle brushes. You can simply remove these items and then sell them.
However, you should not expect a high amount of money. Anything you get by selling them is an extra bonus.
Electronic stores
You will be happy to hear that a few electronic stores offer to recycle to make a positive impact in e-waste management. Even they may offer some bucks for giving back the old device.
Scrap yards
You are supposed to find scrap yards in urban or suburban areas, especially near to the industry. They will offer you money for recuperating metallic parts. The amount of money will depend on the metal type. You are expected to receive both a few and a good amount of money for your metallic parts.
Giving The Vacuum Cleaner A New Life
Apart from the above-mentioned ways, you also have some options. If you are not happy with the previous ones, then give the following ways a quick check.
- Donation centers and local shelters: If you find your vacuum cleaner is still working, you can give it away to any donation center. For instance, you have options to donate the vacuum to a charity, the salvation army, or local shelters. You can also donate your vacuum to homeless shelters too. Keep in mind that not all places will accept the same vacuum. In this case, before making your donation, make sure that your vacuum is donatable.
- Swapping events: Well, this kind of event is really a good initiative. This is another means of recycling. Basically, these kinds of events are organized for promoting social or environmental issues. Community centers, Schools love to coordinate with swapping events. You can give your vacuum away and can receive any other useful item.
- Posting it online: Posting your vacuum online is also a good way if you want to give away or sell it. You can make necessary advertisements on the internet. Don’t forget to provide pictures of your vacuum along with the advertisement post. It’s better to take photos from several angles to make them understandable to people. Also, don’t forget to set a price for it. However, if you are not sure about the price of your vacuum, then you can see for similar posts first, then set a price taking another vacuum price into your consideration.
You are good to go with any above-mentioned options. It will be a good move towards recycling your vacuum cleaner. However, what if you cannot recycle your vacuum cleaner?
What If You Cannot Recycle The Vacuum?
In this kind of case when you are not able to recycle your vacuum, you have the option to put it into the trash. It can be disposed of. You will need to make contact with a disposal company or trash hauler for picking your vacuum up from the curb. Obviously, you need to know beforehand what they accept.
People also asked…