If you have a fan, but it’s no longer working, and you aren’t sure what to do with it, there are ways you could dispose of it. Although options are limited, there are a few safe ways, like recycling.
Fans are recyclable. It doesn’t matter what kind, whether it’s a box, ceiling, stand-up, they can all be recycled. Although it would be easier to throw it in a bit, plenty of companies and organizations can take them off your hands.
This article will assist in explaining topics associated with the recycling of fans such as the importance of recycling, how to figure out what types of materials are recyclable, learning which companies allow the recycling of electronics, and what other options are available for you to get rid of your fan.
Why Recycle?
Recycling has many benefits. It is typically recommended because it is one of the best ways to reduce waste in our environment, even in landfills. Recycling can also conserve our natural resources. For example, some of Earth’s natural resources that can be conserved are the air, the ocean, or even animals. Further, by recycling electronics and appliances, you remove hazardous materials from the environment, and the Earth’s natural resources become less polluted.
There is a phase that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) likes to use: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
The materials that are recycled are converted into new materials. Not only does it save time for manufacturing companies looking to reuse parts, but it also saves the environment from having to produce more material for that purpose. Our society is reusing the material, and then recycling again. This is a continuing cycle to constantly maintain a healthier environment for us and all other living organisms.
What Materials Are Recyclable?
There are a variety of recyclable materials. Often, items can be easily recycled by your local garbage and recycle disposal. But, materials that aren’t easily recyclable, like fans, will have to be brought to other locations to dispose of them properly.
If you want to put recyclable items in your can outside, then some typical items would include:
- Paper – This can include newspapers, magazines, brochures, and other items similar.
- Cardboard – Some commonly accepted items include cardboard boxes, frozen food boxes, milk cartons, etc. Sidenote: Greasy pizza boxes are not recyclable.
- Plastic – This could include milk jugs, water bottles, soda cans, or other similar items.
- Aluminum – Examples for this category are food or soda cans.
- Glass – Food jars or beverage containers can fall under this category.
For non-traditional recyclable items that have to be recycled elsewhere:
- Electronics – This is a broad category, including computers, TVs, phones, radios, video games, etc.
- Appliances – These can range from small to large appliances like fans, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers, etc.
- Cartridges – Ink and Toner are popular items that can be recycled.
- Automobiles – To be clear, this is not talking about your actual automobile, but rather the materials including, car batteries, tires, catalytic converter, etc.
- Other – So many materials can be recycled, and not all of them fit into the categories above. The best way to find out is by doing some research.
Where Can You Recycle Your Fans?
- Best Buy – To recycle fans here is free. All you have to do is take it to your local store, walk inside, and find the kiosk. If it is your first time, you might want to ask an associate where to find it. They also allow you to recycle other electronics and appliances. Make sure you check their website because some may require a fee to haul away from your home.
- Office Depot (OfficeMax) – Recently, these two companies combined. They currently offer recycling options for ink and toner cartridges, batteries, light bulbs, and technology. All for the price of nothing. Make sure to call your local Office Depot beforehand, as some of their policies have changed.
- Recycle Nation – Okay, so this isn’t a business where you can recycle your fans, but this website will give you a list of places where you can recycle your fan. Go onto the website, put in your zip code, enter the keyword fan, and places will pop up. Other similar websites to this are Electronics Recycling and Greener Gadgets. Electronics Recycling also gives more information about laws in specific states for e-cycling.
Other Options
Recycling is always recommended if you are trying to dispose of your fan or other electronics. But there are plenty of other options that you can use, anywhere from donating to DIY-ing.
Donating
Many places will take a reusable fan as donations. Not to mention, by doing this, tax is deductible. Here are some places that you can donate to:
- Goodwill – They accept donations in clothing, electronics, furniture, and houseware items. After donating, your fan will be put on display and be sold for a reduced price by the company.
- Habitat ReStore – These are individually owned stores through Habitat for Humanity that will accept home improvement donations to sell at a reduced price. These stores align greatly with their values of building homes for the community.
- Schools – Schools are always looking for donations. Fans can be a great resource for classrooms, especially if the air conditioning goes out. Check with your local school to see if they could use one.
- Shelters – Again, these communities are always looking for donations as well. Homeless shelters, women’s shelters, emergency shelters, and even animal shelters are all in need of donations as most of them are not-for-profit and rely solely on the public’s help.
Selling
Whether you want to sell the whole fan or just parts of it, people are always looking to buy things. Make sure to be careful if you are selling it to strangers from the internet.
- Craigslist and Ebay – These are websites that can be used for a variety of services. They allow people to sell items, such as fans, that they no longer want.
- Facebook – There are plenty of options to sell items here. Here are just a few options: you can create a post on your page to sell to friends, you can create a posting and put it in local groups like yard sales, selling, etc., or you could create a whole page that is attached to your account and dedicated to selling items you no longer want.
- Yard Sale or Garage Sale – You know that saying, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure? That is definitely the case here. You can go ahead and sell your fan in one of these kinds of sales. And you get to decide how much you want for it.
Reuse
This is where you can get creative. Check out some online board posts about how other people reuse their fans. Go on Pinterest to get some ideas of craftspeople made with their fans or make a new way of reusing your fan. There are so many options out there.
Conclusion
Fans are recyclable and there are several options out there to dispose of any broken or unwanted fans. It doesn’t matter where you live; there are safe spaces to get rid of them. Businesses like Best Buy or Office Depot openly welcome these items to recycle safely. Recycling materials can help improve the environment, some ways including reducing pollution and removing hazardous sources from the environment.
However, other options are available to dispose of fans, whether it be donating, selling, or reusing. Even these options can help in different ways, such as assisting the community, gaining financially, or having fun.
Nicole Sutton is an enthusiastic writer and knowledgeable contributor to TemperatureMaster.com. She offers a plethora of knowledge to the platform, with a background in environmental science and a profound curiosity with all things connected to temperature regulation. Nicole’s interesting and informative writings assist readers in making informed decisions about home heating, cooling, and climate control.