Your Questions About Recycling
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Filed under Recycling Q & A
Thomas asks…
Where can you recycle electronics without paying for it?
Where can you recycle TVs, computer monitors or VCRs where they won’t charge you to drop it off? Is there anywhere that picks stuff up? I have a TV that doesn’t work I need to get rid of.
A thrift store won’t take the TV. Also it’s too large for me to move. All of the links provided indicated that they charged.
Kansas, not Missouri.
I still find it hard to believe with all the push for recycling that it’s so hard to find places to take stuff. It doesn’t encourage recycling.
I think people seem to be missing the fact that I said the TV is too large for me to move even if I could get it into the car.
The Expert answers:
Charge you for a television. This is because the recyclers themselves have to pay to have the TVs taken downstream. Furthermore, if you do find a place that will take it for free, the chances that it is a reputable recycler is very slim. Those types of companies tend to ship the electronics overseas which can have devastating effects on the people and environment there, because there are so many hazardous materials contained in TVs such as lead and mercury. If you have a few minutes, you can watch this “60 Minutes” video on e-waste:
+++++
Ruth asks…
Do I need to recycle my TV and computer equipment in Washington State?
The Washington State Department of Ecology is very interested in us recycling old televisions, stereos, computers, and other electronics equipment. In 2009 they will offer free recycling for consumers. But is electronics recycling in the State of Washington mandatory, or is it just recommended? In other words, if I’m a horrible person and throw my stuff in the trash, what are the consequences, if any?
The Expert answers:
I asked my hubby who works for a tv company and he says that by law in Washington, you have to recycle your TV (and I’m sure your computer equipment) and it is illegal to put them in the dump. His company asks that you pay $25 when they pick up your old TV because they have the pay to recycle it (and pay for the hours of workers to pull the pieces apart.) If they are offering free recycling in 2009, it should save some customers some money.
Lisa asks…
Why does it now cost money to recycle?
I used to be recycling companies paid the consumer in an effort to get more aluminum, copper and glass. Now, I not only have to pay for my recycling to be taken, I have to pay extra to recycle my electronics. I know were supposed to be green, but with my family income going down 25% (and we’re lucky to even still be employed) I can’t afford 20 for each computer, printer and cell phone to be given away. I may just have to put it in the landfill.
The Expert answers:
B/c recycling companies are having hard time too.
If nobody buys stuff, demand for plastic and glass drops, so recyclers get lower price for materials that they recover.
If your electronics is still working, donate it to a church or via Craigslist.org.
Sharon asks…
How can I recycle an old camera?
I have an old broken Minolta camera and don’t want to just throw it away because of the metals & batteries, and I just read an alarming article about the enormous amount of electronic waste we produce each year. I went to the EPA website but all I could really find was recycling for old computers, tv’s, etc. Does anyone have information for recycling other electronics, such as cameras?
The Expert answers:
You could give it to someone to use for parts. Maybe even a camera shop. That way you are not throwing it away, and someone might be able to use it to fix another camera.
Nancy asks…
Recycle you old computer, cell phone and other electronics FREE!!!!!!!?
Hi everyone,
Just thought I’d share this with you. I’ve been looking for a proper way to dispose of my old computer for weeks. I finally found a source:
http://www.erecycle.org/search.asp
These places will take your old computer, cell phone and other electronics, for FREE!!! So please recycle your computer and electronics properly and don’t dump them in the trash.
The Expert answers:
That was a really cool info.
Well i am also trying to make my own recycle station in India where anyone can send their outdated stuffs for recycling instead of dumping it somewhere else and causing pollution
Lets hope i get some outdated stuffs to make my own recycle station.
James asks…
What do I do with an old VCR? Are there electronic recycle centers?
Do they have such things as recycle centers for electronics? And if they do how do I find one close to me? I live in Milwaukee, WI.
I just found out GoodWill will take a VCR but not a TV. Where can I bring an old TV?
The Expert answers:
Type in
electronics recycling Milwaukee, WI.
In your favorite search engine. I found quite a few, but did not know which is the most convenient for you.
Donald asks…
Where can I recycle non-working stereo equipment?
The local electronics recycling programs seem to accept only computer equipment and wireless phones. I’d like to recycle a Teac bookshelf mini component system. I’m in East Brunswick, NJ 08816. Thanks.
The Expert answers:
Middlesex has a permanent drop-off site for broken or outdated consumer electronic items, located at the office of Hesstech, LLC – 45 Executive Ave., Edison.
Hours: First Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; and the third Monday of each month from 12 noon – 4:00 p.m. Closed holidays and some weekend.
This service is free to Middlesex County residents (proof of residency will be requested.)
Items accepted include: computer equipment (including CPUs, monitors, keyboards, scanners, modems, printers, and cables), TVs, telephones, irons, flourescent lamps and thermostats and thermometers containing mercury.
For directions and information: Contact the Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management at (732) 745-4170, or e-mail solidwaste@co.middlesex.nj.us.
I suggest contacting them before hauling it there, just to make sure that they’ll take it.
Please let me know if you need more information.
Laura L. Barnes, MSLIS
Illinois Waste Management and Research Center Library
Daniel asks…
I’ve got an old DVD player that doesn’t work that I would like to recycle. What are my options?
I can’t seem to find a local option to recycle my old electronics. I live in Culver City, CA. The player doesn’t work so I don’t want to give it to Good Will, but I also don’t want to throw it away in the trash. I believe there’s hazardous components, and recycling is so much more efficient.
The Expert answers:
Yes, DVD and other electronics are hazardous to the environment when they’re thrown in the land fields. Sony Corporation started a recycle program; contact Sony at their 800 number and ask about their electronic recycle program site that is closed to your home address. If your DVD is not a Sony, they will charge you a small fee to discard it for you. I hope this helps!
Mark asks…
Why does California charge an electronics recycling fee when you have to pay to recycle them anyway?
If I take something electronic to the dump to throw away, I have to pay a fee. How can California charge another fee when a product is purchased? I looked at their website and I couldn’t understand who ultimately gets this money. It doesn’t go to California’s state budget, it gets paid out to “approved participating collectors and recyclers”. That means they get paid twice!?!
I’m actually in Vermont, but I work for a company that sells electronics to consumers in CA. I’m referring to the CEWS act of 2004 that levies a few for anything with a CRT, LCD or plasma display over 4″ that is sold in CA.
I meant “fee” not “few” in the previous post.
The Expert answers:
Most of us in CA are aware of the scam, so we wait until we get the household roundup coupon from our recycler which enables us to take electronics for recycling for free. It comes twice a year and does limit the amount you can bring, however. Also, some of the stores and schools have programs where they reuse parts and rennovate electronics for schools in other countries, so we wait for the announcements to get the tax donation. In CA, they find any way possible to get their hands into your pocketbook as much as they can. And, in this case they get it coming and going.
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