lcd monitors cost money to recycle free sample

One of the largest recycling problems faced by most countries comes down to the sheer volume of computer electronics that are obsolete and outdated. With technology advances showing no signs of slowing down, it"s no wonder that businesses and home users are constantly upgrading computer monitors.

It"s easy to say that you should be recycling old electronics because it"s the right thing to do. But it"s far more important to understand the fundamental impacts that electronics have on our world when they end up in the trash.

The first thing that"s important to understand is how big of a problem electronics are. With people replacing phones every year and computers every few years, it shouldn"t come as a surprise that there are mountains of discarded electronics every year.

When e-waste like monitors isn"t properly handled at the end of its life, then exposure to the natural elements alone can cause many of the toxic materials to break down and evaporate into the air.

But even modern LCD monitors contain many different metals and chemicals that are perfectly safe when they are contained. But even small amounts of them in the open air canseriously damage animals, plants, and humans.

When monitors and other computer electronics are illegally dumped, or they end up at a landfill, then all those metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can ultimately release due to heat, cold, and moisture exposure.

But heavy metals like mercury, lithium, and lead don"t just seep into the soil and stop there. Over time, gravity and water wash these metals further and further down until they hit the water table.

These are not problems that arise suddenly, and contamination often happens over many years with a gradual accumulation of the toxins. Once there are symptoms, a lot of the damage has often been done, and people can be left with permanent health problems.

OK, now that you know that those old monitors in the garage or basement could be a health hazard and that the right thing to do is to recycle computer monitors, it"s time to go through this simple process.

If there are loose cables still attached, or the monitor is still attached to a computer, then make sure you remove all the cables first. You can recycle these as well, but it"s best to keep them separate.

You need to make sure that you"ll safely carry and transport the monitor. E-waste can easily break, and it might have already deteriorated a bit if it"s been in storage for a long time.

Now is also a good time to check for any other electronic devices like printers, scanners, and DVD players that are just taking up space and never used.

Make sure that your old computer monitors are safely placed in your trunk so that they avoid falling or rolling around. Those external plastics won"t stand up to much force, and you can quickly damage internal components that contain the heavy metals.

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, then you can bring your old e-waste to the GreenCitizen recycling facility. The company has years of experience in recycling electronic devices and offers competitive rates.

The recycling process for computers and monitors starts with carefully taking apart the electronics into their individual components. There are plenty of plastics, and then there"s the glass and multiple circuit boards.

Separating these materials requires specialized equipment that breaks them down into a pile of metals and plastic. The metals can then be further separated and recycled as raw materials for the electronics industry.

This is becoming an increasingly important part of protecting the environment. Unfortunately, all electronics from your phone to your computer monitor contain many types of metals that often come from mines in third-world countries.

These mines often operate under devastating conditions for both the environment and the people that work in them. Making sure that the majority of those metals can be recycled from devices reduces the demand for such mining operations.

While some materials in these devices can enter the cycle economy, there are others like lead glass that can"t be reused. These need to be separated and then disposed of at specialist sites using containers that make sure they are sealed indefinitely or until there"s a solution for dealing with it better.

Public opinion and media attention, and through countries and states introducing legislation, have forced many manufacturers to create their own recycling program for electronic items.

While they might not take care of the overall breakdown of the materials, many of them do offer to take back old computer monitors, printers, hard drives, phones, and laptops for free or a nominal fee.

LGoffers a simple process where you can find a drop-off site near you or mail your monitor in at your own expense. The company accepts all electronics that they manufacture, and they partner with some of the largest recycling companies.

Dellhas created a unique approach in that they offer a drop-off and mail-in service where they accept any brand of products. Whether it"s a Dell computer or old Canon printers, if you can attach it to a computer, they will accept it.

Many major electronics stores now offer a recycling program where you can drop off computers, laptops, TVs, monitors, and anything electrical that you bought there.

Now, it used to be the case that you could recycle a monitor if you bought it at the store and had the receipt or if you were buying a new monitor. But it seems like that wasn"t enough of an incentive, and many stores now allow you to drop off several devices per day even if you didn"t buy them there.

Stapleshave a drop-off point in their stores where you can bring pretty much any old computer equipment for free. This is mainly for consumer products and other electronic devices, but it does exclude large kitchen and household appliances.

Best Buy also has a drop-off program, and this is an ideal option if you have a broken monitor and need to head to Best Buy for a new one. Simply hand over the old one as you head into the store, and you"ve saved yourself a trip.

Walmart is rolling out a new concept called the ecoATM. This will allow you to bring old electronics to a designated ATM and then turn it into cash, depending on the age and state. It"s a great way to see if you have some hidden cash sitting in your basement or garage.

In line with a long-standing Electronic Waste Recycling Act, municipalities in California have been leading the way through a program called CalRecycle.

This should be your first option if you have computer monitors that are relatively modern and still in working order. Many charities and Goodwill stores will happily accept electronics that could help out people with little financial means.

And the one thing that beats dropping off a computer monitor at a recycling program is to make sure that someone gets as much use out of it as possible.

Simply contact a local charity store or Goodwill and provide them with details about your device"s age and specifications, and they"ll quickly let you know whether they"ll accept it.

Not only will you do the right thing for the environment, but you"ll also help someone out to enjoy technology they otherwise might not be able to afford.

If you"re in the San Francisco Bay Area and have some old monitors from personal home use, then GreenCitizen offers a free drop-off service . And the process couldn"t be any easier.

You just need to fill out a form with the details of the monitor and computers before you pack them up. Then call to the drop-off point at the GreenCitizen Burlingame EcoCenter and wait for a member of the team to meet you.

Not only will GreenCitizen ensure that everything is safely recycled, but they can also provide certification of safe data destruction for any storage devices.

If you"re not within driving distance of GreenCitizen, you can still opt for ourfree and fee recycling program. What you need to do is separate the free to recycle items and place those electronic devices in a separate box.

Then weigh the fee items and fill out the mail-in recycling form. All that"s left is to pay the fee online and receive the shipping instructions. You can then use your preferred shipping company to have your old computer monitors and other equipment sent to the recycling center.

GreenCitizen has created a Green Directoryof recycling service providers around the country with an easy-to-use search function. You simply enter what you need to recycle and what your zip code is, and you"ll receive the nearest company that offers a business collection or drop-off program.

Yes, old CRT monitors can be recycled. In most cases, it"s not possible to reuse them with modern computers, but they contain toxic metals that should end up in the trash or landfill.

No, most municipalities don"t operate a curbside recycling program for your old monitor. Leaving a monitor out in the open can also further damage it, making recycling more difficult.

The penalty for not recycling old computer monitors is different from state to state and county to county. In many cases, it ranges from $50 to several hundred dollars, which should be enough incentive not to throw it in the trash.

Yes, a monitor can store data. This is typically more common with smart TVs, but some monitors also have similar functions that could store login details for streaming services. It"s important that you use a data destruction service for such devices.

The easiest way to get rid of working electronics for free is to drop them off at Goodwill or a charity store. If they are relatively new, then you may also be able to recycle them for free at a local recycling center.

You"d be surprised how many homes still have an ancient CRT monitor somewhere in the basement, and getting rid of such equipment is important to avoid any of the harmful chemicals being released.

I strongly suggest starting your recycling effort with GreenCitizen, and even if they aren"t close enough to deal with your old computer screen, laptop, or other devices, our Green Directory will be able to point you to your closest service.

Electronics donation and recycling is a great way to help conserve resources and natural materials. It is important to make sure you are donating and/or recycling electronics safely and correctly.

Electronic products are made from valuable resources and materials, including metals, plastics, and glass, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves our natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials.

For every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.

Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins. To learn more about proper disposal of batteries.

Manufacturers and retailers offer several options to donate or recycle electronics. You can search for options on the following organizations" websites:

The eWaste fee is due on the retail purchase or lease of a new or refurbished covered electronic device (CED) with a screen size of more than four inches measured diagonally and has been identified in the regulations adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Refurbished CEDs are devices the manufacturer has tested and returned to a condition that meets factory specifications for the device and have been repackaged and labeled as refurbished.

Manufacturers are required to tell retailers which of their products have been identified as CEDs. New products may be identified by the DTSC and added to the regulations after they have been tested. Any new CEDs identified by DTSC and added to the regulations will become subject to the fee effective July 1, of the following year. For more information, contact the manufacturer or DTSC.

DTSC does not classify smartphones with LCD screens greater than four inches as CEDs. Alternatively, cell phones, including smartphones with screen sizes greater than four inches, are subject to a statutorily mandated collection and recycling program pursuant to the Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 (Chapter 8.6 of Part 3 of Division 30 of the Public Resource Code).

On or before April 1st of each year, manufacturers are required to send a notice to all retailers that sell CEDs manufactured by the manufacturer on or before December 31 of the prior year. The notice shall identify the electronic devices that are CEDs subject to the eWaste fee.

In addition to the required notification letter, a manufacturer"s report is required to be filed with CalRecycle. This report is due on or before July 1st of each year.

If you are required to have a California seller"s permit or Certificate of Registration – Use Tax, you must register for an eWaste fee account and collect the fee when you sell CEDs to California customers. The CDTFA"s online registration system will guide you through the process. See our online guide, Use Tax Collection Requirements Based on Sales into CA Due to the Wayfair Decision, for more information on whether you may be required to register for sales and use tax purposes.

If you are not required to register for an eWaste fee account, you may voluntarily register to collect and pay the fee as a courtesy to your California customers. Upon collecting the fee, you must provide the customer with an invoice or similar document that lists the fee as a separate charge. A copy of the invoice or similar document should be retained by both the seller and customer.

The law requires the retailer to separately state the electronic waste recycling fee on the customer"s receipt. The CDTFA does not prescribe any particular format for the invoice, but you must be able to determine if the correct amount was collected and remitted on the number of CEDs sold. Either the CalRecycle or DTSC could later adopt a regulation prescribing the look of the invoice or receipt.

If a customer purchases a number of CEDs on one invoice, you may want to group the products and fees by fee category on your invoice. If you do this, you can list one fee total for each fee category. You can use this method or list each CED and fee amount separately.

As a retailer, you can opt to pay the fee on your customers behalf, but you must note that you have done so on the customer"s receipt. The entire fee is due with your fee return. When a retailer pays the fee and indicates that on the receipt, the customer has no liability for the fee.

A lay-away is generally a contract to sell at a future date and the eWaste fee would not apply until the full purchase price is paid and the sale is complete.

Internet sales are treated just like sales from bricks-and-mortar stores or sales by mail or phone. If you sell a CED to a California consumer and your business is in California, or you are required to hold a California seller"s permit or are registered, or should be registered, to collect California use tax, you owe the fee. If you are not required to collect the fee, your customer owes it.

If a California retailer is instructed by an out of state retailer to ship a CED directly to a California consumer, the California retailer/drop shipper is obligated to collect the fee. See the definition of retail sale for the purpose of the Sales and Use Tax Law, or for additional information on drop shipments, view Sales and Use Tax Regulation 1706

A consumer who buys a CED in a retail sale or a transaction subject to use tax owes the fee. The retailer is required to collect the fee and remit it to the CDTFA.

Retailers are required to collect the fee on retail purchases or leases by the Federal government. Transactions with the Federal Government are not exempt from the eWaste fee unless otherwise exempt.

Under specific conditions, a retailer who leases CEDs to consumers may choose to pay the eWaste fee to the vendor of those CEDs instead of collecting the fee from the consumers/lessees. A vendor is defined as the person making a sale of a covered electronic device (CED) for purposes of resale to a retailer who is the lessor of the CED to a consumer under a lease that is a continuing sale or purchase.

The retailer provides an express statement on the invoice, contract, or other record given to the lessee/consumer to document the lease/rental, that the fee has been paid on behalf of the lessee/consumer.

Part of a motor vehicle, as defined in Vehicle Code section 415, or a component part of a motor vehicle assembled by or for a vehicle manufacturer or franchised dealer. This includes replacement parts for use in a motor vehicle.

Contained within a clothes washer, clothes dryer, refrigerator, refrigerator and freezer, microwave oven, conventional oven or range, dishwasher, room air conditioner, dehumidifier, or air purifier.

You must maintain records to document any sale not subject to the fee.   View our webpage, publication 103 Sales for Resale, for information on sales for resale. View our webpage, publication 101 Sales Delivered Outside California, for information on sales of products shipped directly to locations outside California.

Be sure to file your claim for refund by the applicable deadline. If you don"t file on time, CDTFA cannot consider your claim, even if you overpaid the eWaste fee. If you have questions about your deadline to file a refund claim, contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (CRS:711), Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays.

If a customer returned a CED for which you collected the eWaste fee, you would return the fee to the customer. Please refer to Sales and Use Tax Regulation 1655, Returns, Defects and Replacements. The regulation describes the requirements for retailers to handle such transactions. We suggest you handle returns, defects and replacement transactions for this program in the same way.

A credit may be claimed on your CDTFA-501-ER, Electronic Waste Recycling Fee Return, for fees refunded to customers if you have reported and paid the fee on a previous return or, if you gave the refund during the reporting period.

If you have overpaid the eWaste fee directly to the CDTFA, you can file a claim for refund online by logging in to our online service system using your User ID and Password. Go to your eWaste fee account, and then select More under the I want to… section.

You may also file a claim by using form CDTFA-101, Claim for Refund or Credit or by filing an amended return(s) stating the specific reason(s) for the overpayment. Claims for refund should specify the period for which you are making the claim and the amount of the refund. Additional refund details are on the CDTFA"s refund page. You may mail your claims to:

Records must be retained for at least four years from the time the eWaste fee is due unless the CDTFA authorizes you in writing to destroy them sooner.

Proof that the eWaste fee was paid upon purchase of a CED does not need to be provided upon disposal. The disposal of a CED is a separate transaction from the purchase of a CED. The disposal facility may or may not charge the consumer a fee to dispose a CED, but either way, it will not be dependent upon a consumer having first paid an Electronic Waste Recycling Fee at the time they purchased the CED.

The eWaste law states that consumers will be provided with “cost free opportunities” to dispose their computers, monitors, and TVs. However, the CDTFA does not administer this portion of the law. Please contact the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) with your inquiry. They are responsible for administering the recycling programs. Contact information for the CalRecycle is listed below.

If your household or business is similar to many other U.S. households and businesses, you probably have at least one unwanted flat-panel or cathode-ray tube (CRT) computer monitor sitting around in your basement or storage room. Maybe you don’t know how to dispose of it. You know your garbage service won’t haul it away, and you’ve heard it contains chemicals that are bad for the environment. Now it has become a permanent fixture in a lonely corner somewhere. You hate to admit it but it’s true: You’re collecting junk.

But where do these costs come from in the first place? Some consumers may expect to get paid for scrap items and are surprised to learn that they actually have to pay to recycle them.

The electronics recycling industry exists to keep harmful chemicals from contaminating our land, water and air while encouraging the reuse and recycling of all possible materials. Ultimately, electronics recyclers aim to reduce our collective carbon footprint.

But all electronics are different. Devices such as cell phones, tablets, laptops and computer towers contain modest amounts of gold, copper and other valuable metals. However, the old computer monitors and televisions don’t contain nearly as much of these same metals so the return on investment is lower.

In addition, computer monitors also contain toxic materials such as mercury and lead, which require very specialized equipment and extensive safety training for employees who are involved in disassembling them. Consequently, the costs associated with computer monitor recycling are higher than other types of materials. And the environmental protection of this work is a value-add worth paying for.

The Minnesota Electronics Recycling Act, implemented in 2007, creates expanded opportunities for the collection and recycling of e-waste from households state-wide. Today, Minnesota is recognized as a top e-waste collector in the nation.

At Tech Dump, we have the privilege of helping to reduce our carbon footprint and keep Minnesota beautiful. We offer pick-up services in Minneapolis and St. Paul as well as convenient drop-off times at our St. Paul and Golden Valley locations. If you’d like to get rid of old computer monitors, televisions or other electronics in an environmentally responsible manner, give us a call at 763.432.3117.

One of the ways we are able to provide our free electronics recycling service is by reducing the majority of the e-waste down to the component level. An example of this method of recycling computers would be to "harvest" the different components such as CPU, RAM, Hard drive, Power Supply, Motherboard, and Heat sink. The harvested parts are then shipped to the proper locations for final processing.

An economic benefit of this method of recycling e-waste is that it reduces the amount of raw materials that need to be mined. Additionally, the reuse of these recycled components helps to lower the cost of manufacturing new products.

Another way that we are able to provide our free electronics recycling is by remarketing viable technology. We believe that the best possible way to recycle is to be able to return a piece of equipment to its original intended purpose. In the course of our business, we often come across electronic items that are still technologically viable and have retained some of their original value. As such, we are able to offer these items to our list of preferred vendors, as well as other outlets in the secondary market.

Recycling electronics can take some strategizing, especially for large items like projection-style TVs. Make a list of the electronics you would like to get rid of and note their age and condition. Think about whether there is sensitive data stored on your devices and determine the best method of protecting that data. Think about when you would like to get rid of the electronics and whether you will be able to transport them yourself or need to have them picked up.

If computers or other electronics are in good working condition, you may be able to donate them to a school, nonprofit or other organization. Call any organization first to make sure the equipment would be useful to them. You can also check trade-in programs to see what prices they offer for both working and non-working devices.

Before taking your electronics to a collection site or recycler, find out what they recycle, who they accept electronics from, what they charge to recycle various items, if they offer pick-up service and whether or how they destroy data.

When you are recycling a large volume of electronics, it’s a good idea to talk with at least two or three recyclers or collection sites to get a sense of your options. Recycling fees vary between sites and calling ahead can help determine the total cost of recycling your electronics.

Many electronics contain harmful materials, such as lead, and it’s important to make sure recyclers are handling electronics properly to ensure worker safety. It’s also important to make sure a recycler is sending electronic components on to responsible “downstream” processors to minimize any chance of environmental pollution.

Recyclers registered with E-Cycle Wisconsin meet a set of environmental standards set by the DNR. Some recyclers have gone through an independently audited process to become certified under R2 or e-Stewards, nationally recognized standards for responsible recycling.

We love our devices—our TVs, laptops, tablets, and perhaps most of all, our mobile phones, those pocket-sized miracles of computing power. In fact, Gartner, a tech research company, estimates that more than 1.5 billion cell phones will ship in 2021. That’s around 1 for every 5 people alive.

But unless they"re traded in for a new device, each of those gadgets eventually reaches the end of its useful life and becomes electronic waste. And that"s a problem. A United Nations study reported that 53.6 million tons of e-waste was discarded in 2019, and only 17.4 percent of it was disposed of properly.

On Earth Day (April 22)—and every other day—consumers can do something to reduce their e-waste footprint, though. Many of the materials used in making these products can be recovered and reused, including plastics, glass, metal, and aluminum. Apple, for example, says its 13-inch MacBook Air with Retina display contains over 40 percent recycled content (PDF).

But electronics can also contain toxic substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which must be disposed of carefully. So far, 25 states have passed laws requiring people to recycle old electronics. But no matter where you live, there are safe methods for disposal.

First, make sure to completely erase all personal information. It usually isn’t as simple as deleting files. Here"s how to get your personal data off a laptop, for example. Once that"s done, here are your options.

Plenty of nonprofit organizations and local communities offer options to help you recycle old electronics. One group, Call2Recycle, offers drop-off locations for rechargeable batteries and cell phones all over the U.S. To find a location, just enter your ZIP code at Call2Recycle.org.

Access may be limited due to concerns about COVID-19, so before leaving home, be sure to contact the drop-off location to confirm it"s open and accepting recyclables.

You can also look for local options by entering your ZIP code and the product you want to recycle at the Computer Technology Association’s Recycle Locator or Earth911’s extensive recycling database. Earth911 offers assistance by phone at 800-CLEANUP, too.

If your used gadget still works—or, in many cases, even if it doesn’t—there’s probably a charity or nonprofit out there that would be happy to take it off your hands. You can start by checking local organizations for older people and recreation centers. Make sure to get a receipt so that you can deduct your donation on next year"s tax return. Here are a few other programs that can help you get your old devices to people who need them.

Dell Reconnect is a partnership with Goodwill that accepts any brand of computer as well as “just about anything that can be connected to a computer,” according to the website. You can drop off used devices at participating Goodwill locations around the country.

The World Computer Exchange is on a mission to diminish the digital divide in developing countries and to promote the reuse of and proper recycling of electronics. It provides used computers, peripherals, and many other types of gadgets to communities around the world.

Many electronics manufacturers and retailers offer robust recycling programs. A chart at the Environmental Protection Agency’s website lets you search programs by product or company. The following are just a few of the many programs that allow consumers to recycle old electronics. Check your brand’s or retailer’s company website for details on its program.

Amazon offers gift cards for just about any kind of electronics device, as well as music CDs and video games. Some items may be eligible for limited time, promotional credit toward a new qualifying Amazon device.

Apple"s GiveBack program offers up to $1,530 in gift cards or in-store credit for qualifying products. The company will also accept and recycle any product that doesn"t qualify.

Office Depot and Staples offer rewards program members store credit of $2 per printer cartridge (with some restrictions) for up to 10 or 20 cartridges per month, respectively. Most printer manufacturers, including HP, Epson, and Canon, also have their own recycling programs.

We love our planet, right? Then let’s stop trashing it. On the "Consumer 101" TV show, Consumer Reports reveals the five items you should always recycle rather than toss into the trash bin.

You can return unwanted electronics to manufacturers for recycling or disposal for free. Electronic manufacturers, such as Samsung, Sony, or Toshiba, mustaccept electronics from residents at no cost.

You can find more information about recycling electronics at the store where you purchased the item or at any store that sells the item. You can also call the manufacturer or check your brand"s website.

As we replace old electronic products with newer models, the stockpile of used and obsolete products grows. In the United States, millions of electronic devices are discarded each year, making electronics one of the fastest growing parts of the waste stream.

Electronics contain heavy metals, including lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium that can be harmful if released into the environment. Recycling electronics ensures these materials are safely managed and that valuable materials such as steel, glass, and plastic, as well as precious metals such as copper, gold, tin, silicon, and aluminum are reclaimed for the manufacturing of new products. Reusing and recycling raw materials from e-waste conserves natural resources and avoids pollution. Indiana’s E-Cycle Program allows for many electronic devices to be kept out of landfills and incinerators and creates recycling opportunities for Indiana residents.

Peripherals (including keyboards, mice, external hard drives, printers, all-in-one printer/scanner/copiers, projectors, and any other devices that are sold exclusively for external use with a computer and provide input into or output from a computer)

Additional ResourcesU.S. EPA WasteWise:Helps organizations and businesses apply sustainable materials management practices to reduce municipal and select industrial wastes.

Current state and federal regulations mandate that cathode ray tubes (CRTs) found in computer monitors and televisions cannot be disposed of in landfills. However, there are several REUSE & RECYCLING options available to Kern County residents:

• Non-working computer monitors and televisions are accepted at Kern County Disposal sites and Special Waste Facilities (see page 14) for recycling at NO CHARGE.

• Non-working computer monitors and televisions are also accepted for recycling at thrift shops and non-profit organizations such as Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, Bakersfield Association of Retarded Citizens (BARC) and others that have been authorized by the state.

Electronic waste, or e-waste, includes household or office electronic devices in working or non-working condition that are no longer used. E-waste is known to contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead, which if placed in the landfill, can harm people and the environment. Examples of e-waste include:

Working and non-working electronic devices may be acceptable for donation for reuse or repair. Televisions and computer monitors are accepted for free by many thrift stores and the Miramar Recycling Center. Call your favorite local thrift store, charity or non-profit for information regarding items accepted.

Virginia law requires any manufacturer that sells (or offers for sale) more than 500 units of computer equipment in the state to provide an opportunity for customers to return or recycle their equipment at no charge. Find out what your brand offers.

This program is a community service to the residents of Fairfax County only and is not open to businesses, government agencies, non-profits, schools, universities, institutions, home-based businesses, or general industry.

Cassette and VHS tapes - VHS cassette tapes and magnetic recording tape are accepted at our e-cycling stations. Only the VHS cassette tape (the VHS cassette tape that is actually loaded into the VCR for viewing) is recyclable. Any packaging material that accompanies the VHS cassette tape (such as cellophane plastic wrapping or the plastic outer casing) should be disposed of as trash.

Products are made from metal, plastics, and glass -- all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Reusing and recycling these materials conserves natural resources. In addition, many electronics contain lead, mercury, beryllium and cadmium. If improperly disposed of, these contaminants may be released into the environment.

When possible, electronics are refurbished and/or resold. In some cases, electronics are disassembled, sorted by material (metals, plastics, glass, etc.) and sold on the recyclables market. Hazardous components, such as leaded glass in certain computer monitors or TVs, are removed and sent for proper recovery and recycling in a permitted hazardous waste facility. For more information, visit Securis, Fairfax County VA Electronics Recycling and Data Destruction.

Yes. Businesses are legally responsible for managing all toxic materials that are used and/or stored on site. Electronic equipment and rechargeable batteries fall in this category. Business owners and managers should visit the Know Toxics website for more information.

Please note: Many of the links below will take you off the TCEQ Web server. This collection is provided solely as a courtesy. Because the TCEQ has no control over the posting of material to the sites on this list, the agency cannot take responsibility for their continued validity and maintenance.

Many companies sell their used electronics or send them to a site to be recycled. The recycler recovers usable parts and whole computers for resale or reuse. Leftover material is then sent to another recycler for further demanufacturing (or disassembly). In this process, used electronics become a waste when the recycler decides that the material cannot be reused, demanufactured, or recycled any further. Regulations vary depending on the type of electronics, but electronics or electronic scrap may have the potential to be classified as a waste if they are:

Some electronics, including mercury switches, circuit boards, batteries, computer monitors, televisions, laptops, cellular phones, computer mice, and smoke detectors could test “hazardous,” when determined to be a waste. Under federal and state rules, hazardous waste is subject to certain handling, recycling, and disposal requirements that can be costly. Among other benefits, sending your electronics for reuse or recycling tends to be a less expensive alternative to paying for the cost of hazardous waste disposal.

Universal Wasteis a specific type of hazardous waste that is subject to more relaxed standards of accumulation, recordkeeping, and shipping requirements than those of "normal" hazardous wastes. Batteries, fluorescent lights, and mercury-containing equipment (including thermostats) are examples of materials that, if hazardous, could qualify to be regulated as “universal waste” under the universal waste regulations found in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 273 30 TAC 335, Subchapter H Additional requirements for managing universal waste and electronic scrap can be found in the following resources:

Processed scrap metal and shredded circuit boards that are recycled are specifically excluded from solid waste regulations and therefore are not subject to hazardous waste regulations, provided that the metal and circuit boards are stored in containers and free of mercury switches, mercury relays, and nickel-cadmium and lithium batteries. The hazardous waste recycling regulations that cover scrap metal and circuit boards may be found in Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, 261.4(a)(13) and (14).

Batteries that are being reclaimed do not have to be managed as universal waste. For more information, please refer to Managing Hazardous Waste as Universal Waste.

Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are the large, bulky glass tubes in older television sets and computer monitors that are rapidly being replaced by flat-panel displays. CRTs may also be managed as universal waste.

Prior to discarding waste considered hazardous, abusiness or recycler may have to obtain an identification number with the TCEQ and the EPA if a facility generates more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month or more than 220 pounds of Non-hazardous Class 1 waste or more than 2.2 pounds of acute hazardous waste per month. Prior to disposing of electronics, a business would have to conduct a waste determination to demonstrate that the electronics were not hazardous. For more information on classifying waste, making a hazardous waste determination, and generator requirements, please see the following documents:

Household Hazardous Waste:Hazardous waste, including electronics, generated by a household is typically referred to as household hazardous waste (HHW). HHW is exempt from hazardous waste regulations. Thus, a single household that generates used electronics is not subject to the hazardous waste permitting or disposal requirements. Most HHW, including electronics, can be placed in your regular trash. However, reusing and recycling used electronics is the best way to conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impacts. For more information on HHW and collection programs, please refer to TCEQ HHW Resources.

Facilities that accept electronics from an industrial site may need to submit a Notification for Receiving and Recycling Hazardous or Industrial Waste - Form 0524 to the TCEQ’s Industrial and Hazardous Waste Section. Industrial sites in Texas are manufacturing facilities where materials are changed through processing and/or products are made for wholesale markets.

Facilities accepting electronics material from nonindustrial sources (called municipal sources, e.g. households, offices, and schools) for recycling may need to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to operate a Recycling Facility (Form 20049) to the TCEQ’s Municipal Solid Waste Section. You may submit your NOI through the mail or use the new e-permit option through the TCEQ online registration program, STEERS.

The site is owned or operated by a local government or any agency of the state or federal government. However, this exclusion does not apply if the site is a TV Recycler as defined under the Texas Recycles TVs program (per 30 TAC §328.165(6)).

The site receives more than 50 percent of its recyclable material from external customers (not affiliated with the facility); meaning, it does not pick up or deliver to its own site more than 50 percent of its recyclable material; receives the material for free (no financial compensation of any sort); and can show that the material received can be recycled in an economical manner.

The above listed items provide a general summary of the exemptions. All recycling facilities, including exempt facilities, must comply with the general requirements in 30 TAC 328.3. For additional recycling guidance, please refer to the TCEQ webpage, Recycling: Am I Regulated?

The Texas Recycles Computers and Texas Recycles TVs Programs require computer and TV manufacturers to offer opportunities for consumers to recycle these electronics. Additionally, there are requirements for electronics recyclers under these two programs. Guidance on recycler requirements and links to the rules can be found on the following webpages:

If a site’s primary activities and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code fall within certain sectors regulated by TCEQ’s Multi-Sector General Permit for Storm Water (TXR050000), it could be subject to stormwater permitting requirements. The SIC code for scrap and waste recycling facilities is 5093, which is under Sector N of the stormwater permit. However, if all industrial activities and materials are isolated from rain, snow, snowmelt, runoff by storm resistant shelters, or stored indoors, a facility may be eligible to apply for Conditional No Exposure Exclusion. For more information on obtaining a stormwater authorization, please refer to the following webpages:

Recycling operations that include grinding or shredding materials require authorizations under a permit by rule (PBR). A list of all keyword PBRs including grinding metal, soldering, or extruding plastics can be found in the Keyword Index to Permits by Rule. For more information on obtaining an air authorizations, please refer to the following webpages:

Effective September 1, 2010, many electronics are banned from Wisconsin landfills. City crews will NOT pick up, and no one may put any of the banned items in the trash. There are a variety of locations that accept different electronics. Some stores may take your old electronics if you are purchasing a new item. Many cell phone stores, for example, offer recycling programs for old phones.

Drop Off Centers will accept up to three TVs per visit with a recycling fee of $5 per TV. All other electronics listed on the Drop Off Center website are accepted free of charge.

law concerning the recycling of household electronics. Under the e-waste law, residents will have convenient and free opportunities for recycling their computers, monitors, printers, and televisions. It requires manufacturers to finance the transportation and recycling of these electronics, and retailers to provide the consumer with recycling information. It also requires recyclers of electronic to be approved by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). For more information on the e-waste law, please visit our Connecticut E-Waste Recycling Law web page.

Product stewardship is a principle that directs all participants involved in the life cycle of a product to take shared responsibility for the impacts to human health and the natural environment that result from the production, use and end-of-life management of the product. The greater the ability of a party to influence the life cycle impacts of a product, the greater the degree of that party’s responsibility. The stakeholders typically include manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and government officials.

Connecticut"s electronics recycling law is an example of producer responsibility or product stewardship which requires manufacturers, retailers, recyclers and municipalities to play a role in the recycling of electronics.

Connecticut has a Product Stewardship Council which was formed to help municipalities better coordinate product stewardship programs. The Council advocates for any necessary legislation through their local representatives. Manufacturers working at the national level with groups such as the Product Stewardship Institute, sometimes seek opportunities to establish pilot programs. They favor conducting pilots in states that are organized and have a demonstrated commitment to product stewardship principles.

Televisions, desktop and portable computers, computer monitors, and printers generated by households. Collectively, these are called Covered Electronic Devices or “CEDs”. CEDs include certain tablets, e-readers, or phones with a video display greater than 4 inches. E-waste from non-residential sources (commercial, governmental, retail, etc.) is regulated under current federal and state hazardous waste and solid waste laws.

Connecticut residents will be able to recycle their CEDs at no cost by delivering them to convenient and accessible collections designated by their municipality. State approved electronics recyclers will then pick up CEDs generated by households from the various collection points. The recyclers will sort the computers and monitors by manufacturer and submit a bill to the responsible manufacturer for the cost of transporting and recycling those CEDs with the manufacturer"s brand name on them. Television manufacturers will pay a percentage of the total cost of recycling televisions equivalent to their market share. Recyclers will then submit bills to manufacturers for covered costs.

Yes. The law requires municipalities to provide free collection of CEDs for their residents at approved municipal collection sites. See a list of approved CED drop-off locations for Connecticut residents. The collection must be convenient and accessible, and residents must drop-off 7 or fewer CEDs at any one time. Municipalities may collect municipal transfer station or other facility access fees for collection of CEDs, provided other free locations are available to residents and approved by DEEP.

When developing recycling programs, it’s best to start with the “low hanging fruit”, or the easiest materials to collect, or the most that is generated. For example, residential programs collect bottles and cans and newspapers for recycling because they are easy to identify, have strong markets and are generated in most households. "Covered Electronic Devices" which include televisions, computers, monitors and printers, are the "low hanging fruit" of electronic waste. As new products are developed that fit within this category (such as game consoles), it is possible they may also fall under this law.

Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan, the DEEP is trying to increase recycling and reduce the amount of materials in the municipal portion of the solid waste stream. This law was also designed to help remove the financial burden of e-waste recycling from municipalities, which is often costly to taxpayers. Non-residential/business generators already have outlets for managing their e-waste. They are also regulated to prevent electronics from ending up in the trash.

At some point the law may be expanded to include other e-waste items, but at this time the recycling of these items is not included. Most recyclers will accept VCRs, DVD players and other devices at a collection. Municipalities that wish to include them for recycling will have to arrange for them separately. Depending on the type of electronic device or its condition, you may find that the item has a reuse value, or there may be other reuse options. Visit the "What Do I Do With...?" web page for an "A to Z" resident"s management guide for those not-so-common household items. The list includes a range of items from hearing aids and light bulbs to batteries and cell phones - and more.

See a list of approved CED drop-off locations for Connecticut residents. You may also contactyour town. Contact your local recycling coordinator or local Department of Public Works.

Yes. According to the CT e-waste law, as of January 1, 2011, covered electronic devices will be banned from disposal at any Connecticut solid waste facility - they must be recycled.

With identity theft a growing problem, you may have some reservations about donating or recycling your computer. While legitimate computer recyclers take measures to secure and erase the data on the computers they resell or recycle, you may take greater comfort in erasing the data before you drop it off. You may think that simply deleting a file means that file is gone. But in fact the file can easily be recovered. In order to erase a drive so that no data can be recovered, you need to rewrite over the file a number of times. There are free software downloads such as Cybercide, Eraser, DeleteonClick, or KillDisk, that will permanently erase the data on your hard drive by overwriting. You can also purchase more advanced software for enhanced data security. Under the CT e-waste law, approved electronics recyclers must secure hard drives until such point they are physically destroyed for recycling such as by shredding or smelting. The Federal Electronics Challenge has more end-of-life management resourceson their website.

The municipalities will need to submit a plan indicating how they plan to provide for the collection of CEDs from their residents. The most common way will be to provide an area at the local transfer station or recycling center. The DEEP maintains a list of these residential electronics drop-off locations on their website. More information

Manufacturers of CEDs must register with the state and pay an annual registration fee to cover the state’s administrative costs. When registering, they will have to indicate which brands they are responsible for and provide contact information. Manufacturers will be required to label their CEDs. Manufacturers will have to directly pay approved recyclers for the costs of transporting and recycling their CEDs. More information

The DEEP requires approval of recyclers to ensure that only those companies that meet stringent standards for handling and processing electronics, and that are protective of human health and the environment, are allowed to bill manufacturers for the costs of recycling electronics. More information

Yes. Under the state recycling program, approved recyclers are required to establish data security practices. They must secure hard drives until such point they are physically destroyed for recycling such as by shredding or smelting. If they intend to reuse or resell the computer, they must erase the hard drive to a Department of Defense standard. If you wish to recycle your computer but are concerned about data security, either erase the data yourself or ask the recycler about their procedures for erasing.

The DEEP does not prohibit the exporting of electronic waste. Rather, DEEP has established strict standards for exporting e-waste. There have been many well documented cases of unscrupulous recyclers sending e-waste to developing countries where they use unsophisticated practices for reclaiming materials. These practices result in toxic exposure to impoverished workers and damage to their local environment. View the CBS 60 Minutes story "The Electronic Wasteland" for a graphic depiction of this issue. The DEEP is establishing strict standards to ensure the safe handling of e-waste overseas in accordance with federal laws.

The DEEP has established standards for the Certified Electronic Recyclers (CER) wishing to participate in our program and reviews their practices closely before authorizing them to be a CER. DEEP standards include protecting human health and the environment.

Does Connecticut"s e-waste recycling lawpreclude CERs and partners of CERs or manufacturers from offering subsidies, credits, or provide benefits to municipalities?

No. The law does not regulate contractual agreements involving CEDs or non-CEDs between municipalities, CERs and partners of CERs or manufacturers. However, the law does include provisions for keeping reimbursement prices competitive and the law is not intended to be a revenue generator for municipalities. DEEP will continue to scrutinize the unit prices submitted in applications to become a CER to ensure competitive market pricing. If unit prices are too high, the applicant risks denial of its application.

DEEP has a Universal Waste Rule fact sheet designed to answer general questions and provide basic information on management of universal wastes, including used electronics, in Connecticut.