Columbia University EcoReps

Too often, people throw away their old electronics because they just don't know what else to do with them. Most devices, however, contain of harmful chemicals, like lead or mercury--about 70% of the toxic waste that makes it to landfills is from electronics (yikes!).

There are some companies, however, that make it extremely easy to recycle your old electronics, and even pay you for it! Check out the programs listed below, and use one the next time you get a new phone or computer. (And don't forget that you can recycle small electronics in the recycling center in the lobby of Lerner, or donate your old phone to an organization like the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.)

Here are the Lazy Environmentalist's top 3 recommendations for recycling companies that will pay for your used electronics.

One Note: All of these companies provide free shipping to their facilities. The best is Gazelle.com which sends you a postage paid box in which to ship your items. Second best is Greenphone.com which provides you with a prepaid shipping label. Third best is Buymytronics.com which reimburses you for your shipping expenses, $5 for the first item and $2 for additional items in the same package.

Gazelle.com - Send Gazelle your used cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, laptops, GPS units, camcorders, gaming consoles, iPhones and more, and the company will you pay you for them. Where possible Gazelle refurbishes them and makes them available to its partners for resale. It's possible to get great deals on refurbished at items at major retailers like Target thanks to Gazelle.

Buymytronics.com - Buymytronics.com is on a mission to recycle used, new, and broken electronics. To make it worthwhile, the company pays you for them within 48 hours of receiving them. Send founder Brett Mosley and his team your old cell phones, cameras, game consoles, camcorders, and iPods, and they'll send you cash.