Cadmium is a component in long life rechargeable batteries for electronic equipment, such as cell phones and laptop computers. It is extremely hazardous and even exposure to trace quantities can lead to serious health problems. Once in the ground water or soil, plants pick it up and store it. This means vegetables, fruits and even tobacco products can become harmful to humans. Here’s how to recycle electronics with cadmium components. Contact the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation for locations to take old batteries. Many city, county and state governments also provide recycling locations equipped to deal with hazardous waste. See the Resource section for contact information. Look for “Take Back” programs from major wireless providers and electronics manufacturers. Many stores and dealers provide bins to drop off used electronics, and some service organizations even offer to pick the equipment up from your home. You may even discover that some of your components have a trade in