Recycling Household Electronics: Where to take that old computer, TV, gameboy, pda, etc.!

Recycling Household Electronics: Where to take that old computer, TV, gameboy, pda, etc.!

Choose your Region or state from the map below or scroll down to find information about regional and State eCycling programs. There is no information available for states that are grayed out.

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Region 1

Municipalities throughout New England collect electronics waste for reuse and recycling. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts enacted legislation to help prevent some hazardous materials from entering landfills. In April 2000, Massachusetts adopted a first-in-the-nation approach to reuse and recycle discarded computer monitors and televisions, banning all cathode ray tubes (CRTs) disposal in Massachusetts landfills and waste combustors due to their high lead content.

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Region 2

Both New York and New Jersey have enacted measures to limit electronic waste in landfills. In New York, some items (e.g., computer monitors) typically qualify as hazardous waste and are regulated under NY Department of Environmental Conservation's RCRA hazardous waste rule. New Jersey adopted measures classifying all consumer electronics as universal waste.

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Region 3

EPA Region 3, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia united to increase recycling of electronics waste. The partnership's goal is to develop an economically and environmentally sustainable collection, reuse, and recycling system for electronics that is based on the principle of shared responsibility among business (electronics manufacturers and retailers), government, and consumers.

In 2001 the U.S. EPA Region 3 and the Region 3 State environmental protection agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to manage end-of-life electronics as a solid waste through the Mid-Atlantic States. On December 26, 2002, EPA issued a final rule exempting CRTs and CRT glass destined for recycling and reuse from regulation as a hazardous waste.

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Region 4

Diversion of electronic waste from landfills is a major concern for the states of Region 4. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee all encourage alternatives to disposing electronics in landfills, such as reuse and recycling. Each state provides guidance for reuse and recycling of electronics, and most include information about regional collection events or electronics recyclers.

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Region 5

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin are actively pursuing opportunities for eCycling. Public-private partnerships in Indiana and Michigan work to find unique solutions for Indiana's businesses and communities in the areas of waste avoidance, reuse, refurbishing, recycling, and proper disposal of electronics waste. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin have written publications focusing on eCycling for businesses.

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Region 6

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Web site provides municipal, business and household electronics users with an easy-to-follow guide about electronics waste in the state. Guidance is provided for conducting electronics collection events as well as for obtaining funding for these events.

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Region 7

To address eCycling issues, Iowa commissioned an e-waste characterization study and conducted pilot projects assess the best means for collecting used electronics. Although waste computers and monitors generated from households are not considered or regulated as hazardous waste in Nebraska, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) encourages households to recycle or reuse computers. Missouri presents electronics management requirements and options to all users of electronics-consumers, collectors, transporters, and recyclers.

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Region 8

Electronics users throughout Region 8 are concerned with the issue of electronic waste. States in the Region took on this challenge and are researching alternative options to landfill disposal. Through workshops held in June 2003, North Dakota provided communities with technical assistance in the landfill rules and regulations on electronic and household hazardous waste (HHW) material. Community leaders received instructions on contract strategies, decision-making, and negotiations.

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Region 9

In September 2003, the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 was passed in California. As part of the state's extensive eCycling program, this legislation will: reduce hazardous substances used in certain electronic products sold in California, collect an electronic waste recycling fee (at the point of sale) of certain products, distribute recovery and recycling payments to qualified entities covering the cost of electronic waste collection and recycling, and establish environmentally preferred purchasing criteria for state agency purchases of certain electronic equipment. California's law is the first in the nation to require a fee of $6 to $10 on computers and televisions to be used to establish a statewide electronics recycling system.

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Region 10

States in Region 10 are considering alternative options to electronics disposal. Idaho recently created a Cathode Ray Tube Disposal Committee to discuss proper end-of-life management. The committee is currently researching the issue. In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) offers free technical assistance to businesses. The DEQ helps companies understand how hazardous waste regulations apply to their operation, determine which wastes are hazardous, complete reporting forms, manage wastes better, reduce disposal costs, minimize waste produced, and determine areas needing improvement.

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THE PREPPER'S CANNING & PRESERVING BIBLE: [13 in 1] Your Path to Food Self-Sufficiency. Canning, Dehydrating, Fermenting, Pickling & More, Plus The Food Preservation Calendar for a Sustainable Pantry

The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! Paperback

The Citizens' Guide to Geologic Hazards: A Guide to Understanding Geologic Hazards Including Asbestos, Radon, Swelling Soils, Earthquakes, Volcanoes

The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming

Book: The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History Paperback




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