A bit of dis-assembly facilitates recycling

Our humidifier "died" a few days ago.  We rarely use it.  Our home humidity generally remains at a decent level even in the winter (for one example why see: Hang your clothes to dry them, even indoors).  But recently the dry air won the battle, so I went out to the barn and got out our old humidifier.  After running it for a few days, I was awakened by our smoke detector which had detected an electrical short caused by a leak.  The bottom of the reservoir where the element comes through had corroded beyond being able to seal properly.  This was a non-repairable situation, so the humidifier was "dead".

This caused me to embark on my usual dis-assembly process of dead appliances.  All it took was a Phillips head screwdriver and a few minutes to separate plastics, metal, and electronics.  I was quite pleased as I took it apart to find the plastics recycling code markings on all of the large plastic parts, which made recycling even easier.

Recycling is very important for our planet.  Some things are easier to recycle than others.  When things are beyond repair, their serviceable life expended, it is time for disposal.  Many things can be recycled with a small effort.  Whereas this humidifier would not be recyclable whole, its parts were easily recyclable with a small bit of effort.

Having dis-assembled a number of things for disposal, I have found that many times there are even parts that can be saved for reuse.  Screws, bolts, springs, o-rings, and other parts can be put in stock for when they are needed in the future.

We really need to transition to the philosophy of the "cradle to cradle" manufacturing and recycling of products promoted by McDonough and Braungart in Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.  While we wait for industry to get fully on board with that necessary advancement, one of the ways you can help to reduce waste and recycle items you are discarding, is to spend a few minutes dis-assembling and separating the parts for proper recycling. You will feel good about your efforts and the planet will thank you.