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Spend a couple of minutes cleansing out your storage or the junk drawer, and also you’re certain to seek out one or two energy or extension cords you now not use. Now, clearly, if these cords are nonetheless usable, you’ll be able to donate them so another person can use them. But in the event that they now not work, are you able to recycle them?
Power cords are thought of “tanglers” by recycling packages as a result of they’ll jam gear, which results in employee accidents and better upkeep prices, so they don’t go within the curbside bin. Power cables and extension cords should be dealt with by a specialty recycler. To recycle extension cords and some other energy cords, search for an electronics recycler in your space—begin by including your ZIP Code to this Earth911 search. Most electronics recycling packages will settle for all energy cords that got here together with your previous digital gadgets, in addition to any further electrical cords and cables.
Recycling Power Cords
Most energy cords comprise wires created from copper or aluminum, that are extremely recyclable metals. The wires are surrounded by an insulating layer manufactured from plastic or rubber. While the insulator isn’t essentially recyclable, the steel inside is efficacious, so recyclers will strip out the wire and recycle it.
To recycle your previous cords, e-waste services are the best choice. Many communities now have devoted e-waste recycling services, both run by personal corporations or by the native authorities. Best Buy is one other standard e-waste recycler, and energy cords are only one kind of merchandise they settle for.
Before you head to your native e-waste recycler, you’ll want to give them a name and confirm they are going to settle for energy cords on their very own. Some services will solely them once they come connected to a tool that you simply’re recycling, resembling a desktop laptop.
So, any time you’re taking electronics to your native e-waste recycler, you’ll want to deliver the cords with you. This will assist cut back the variety of random energy cords you’ve mendacity round the home.
If your metropolis or county doesn’t have a devoted e-waste recycler or facility, they could host an e-waste recycling occasion when you’ll be able to herald your e-waste. Check together with your native recycling facility or waste division to seek out out if and once they provide these occasions. You may search the Earth911 recycling directory to discover a recycling possibility in your space. Most locations that settle for home electronics will take your previous energy cords however affirm with them first.
Tip: If you’ve an previous cellular phone charger you now not use, you’ll be able to name up native shelters to see if they are going to take them. It’s typically the case that folks staying there are in want of chargers.
Can You Reuse Extension Cords?
Unfortunately, there aren’t too some ways to reuse extension cords apart from for his or her supposed goal. Do cross the cords on to a good friend or donate them to Good Will or one other thrift retailer if the cords are nonetheless usable.
If you’ve a cable that will get sizzling or doesn’t appear to work accurately, it’s necessary to recycle it slightly than passing it on to anybody else.
Repairing Extension Cords
If you do yard work with energy instruments connected to extension cords, there’s a superb likelihood you’ve unintentionally lower a twine. Fortunately, it’s doable to restore an extension twine. Note that it’s not advisable that you simply splice a lower extension twine again collectively, because it gained’t have the abrasion resistance of a brand new twine. Instead, you’ll be able to create two extension cords from the lower twine, assuming each ends are lengthy sufficient. To do that, you’ll simply add a new plug to the lower finish. To study precisely how to do that, go to the Family Handyman.
Of course, if one finish isn’t lengthy sufficient to create an additional twine, you’ll want to recycle it.
Editor’s Note: Originally printed on February 6, 2019, this text was up to date in March 2025. Got a query about easy methods to recycle as particular product or kind of fabric? Let us know, and we’ll do the analysis, sharing the outcomes with the world. You can help support our work, too!
