Electronic recycling is an alternative approach to waste disposal of unused electronic devices and their components. It is a process of re-using the raw materials in a product to make a new one.

Although recycling is a good way to reuse such raw materials, it can be hazardous to the workers in the yard, to the neighboring communities, and to the environment. In developed countries like the European Union States, recycling takes place in recycling plants built specifically for recycling electric supplies and electronic gadgets.

But in developing countries like Asia, there is no such thing as recycling plants. Hence, there is a possibility that materials such as plastics from e-wastes are recycled, thereby, releasing brominated furans and dioxins into the atmosphere. Also, electronic recycling is often done by children with bare hands in scrap yards.

There are four main types of electronic recyclers. Some recyclers carry out the tasks of collecting, refurbishing, de-manufacturing and processing. In collecting, the collectors receive electronics from the general public and from businesses. The collected material is then shipped to refurbishing, de-manufacturing or processing department.

Collectors come in two kinds: the one who has affiliation with a permanent drop-off site, and the one who operates from a temporary location set up for a specific collection event.

In refurbishing, the refurbisher can be a non-profit or for-profit organization that accepts, sorts, and refurbishes used computer equipment, cellular phones, and other devices for electronic recycling. Products that are reparable are sold or donated after being restored to working condition. Non-reparable components are then sent to a de-manufacturer or processor.