how to dispose of lcd monitors 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recycling problems faced by most countries comes down to the sheer volume of computer electronics that are obsolete and outdated.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.

If you look at a typical electronics circuit board, there will be a combination of plastics, copper, lead, aluminum, and even precious metals like gold.

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.

While most municipalities no longer run a curbside recycling program, a lot of them will have a drop-off center with an electronics recycling program.

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.

I already mentioned the services that GreenCitizen offers for a wide range of electronics. So, let"s take a closer look at the recycling program available.

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.

Not only will they recycle your old desktop, laptop, tablet computers, and peripherals, they"ll also do the same for your eReader, shredder, monitor, GPS device, battery backup, digital camera, MP3 player, ink and toner, external hard drive, cordless phone, wireless router, and more.

Recycling with Staples comes with the clear benefit of you being able to get rid of old electronics that are taking up space in your garage or closet. It"s sometimes confusing to know what you"re allowed to throw away and what you should recycle. Staples makes it easy by supporting a variety of products. Plus, it"s totally free.

Visit the link below to learn more about how their recycling service works and which devices are supported and not supported. Bring your devices to a Staples store to get rid of them.

You used to be able to trade in your items online via a special trade-in page on their website. However, that method hasn"t been available for some time, and there aren"t any details about whether online trade-ins will resume in the future.

Just bring your devices to your local Staples to have them recycled for free. All U.S. Staples stores support recycling electronics, except for smaller-format stores in NYC and Washington, DC.

Staples accepts up to seven items per day, per customer. More might be supported at your store, but that"s up to the general manager of that location.

Remember that not all items are accepted for recycling. Some examples of prohibited items include appliances, bulbs and lamps, large servers, TVs, and smoke detectors. There"s a full list through the link below.

Staples also lets you properly dispose of old batteries. To use Staple"s free battery recycling, make sure the battery isn"t heavier than 11 pounds and that it falls somewhere on the accepted list of recyclables. Just like with electronics, your battery does not need to work for you to recycle it. Staples will sort and recycle yours into new batteries.

Although Staples will erase all the data on the hard drives that you recycle, we still recommend that you do it yourself first to ensure that none of your private information is still lingering before getting rid of it. Learn how to wipe a hard drive if you need help.

As technology evolves, you know the importance of upgrades to computer systems, devices and other electronics in order to stay ahead of the competition.

But, as technology advances faster than electronics break down, as a company, you’re tasked with finding a solution to the following question: What do I do with all these electronics I no longer need?

Though it may be tempting to toss the electronics in the trash bin behind your office, that short-sighted decision can lead to long-term ramifications, from detrimental environmental impacts to costly fines.

Whether it’s old gadgets or entire rooms of electronics no longer needed, it’s important to know which pieces you can dispose of yourself in an outside trash or recycling receptacle, and which require proper

While these may be harmless, it makes sense to recycle them. Sometimes, you can even get money for these metals, depending on their form and quantity.

Several other components of electronic equipment, from plastic to glass, can be recycled as well by taking them to county or private recycling facilities.

Modern electronics depend on a variety of interacting chemicals and metals to function. Many of these substances pose dangers to humans and animals, but the devices are designed to keep users safe from exposure.

In California, the term “e-waste” generally refers to consumer and business electronic equipment when it is no longer needed or available to use. It’s important to note that there is no clear definition for e-waste, and that e-waste falls under separate regulations than universal waste. However, if you can plug it in or it includes a circuit board or chip, it is most likely considered e-waste.

Other electronics: Printers, scanners, laptops, keyboards, CD and MP3 players, copiers, telephones, lamps, clocks, flashlights, circuit boards, camcorders, fax machines, cell phones, hair dryers, irons and blenders.

Important reminder: Many electronic products store sensitive data or personal information. Before disposing or recycling equipment, remove any sensitive information from its memory. Deleting files from a computer’s desktop, for example, does not automatically wipe a computer’s memory. If you need assistance, reach out to a software store or other professional who can assist with cleaning off a drive or removing software.

Separating safe electronic components from their toxic counterparts can be extremely difficult without proper training. Attempts at this type of sorting without proper preparation also may prove just as dangerous as tossing these parts in the garbage.

You also may have inexperienced employees unaware of the consequences of discarding e-waste illegally. Companies like Costco, Telecom and Walgreens have not been immune to employee negligence and substantial fines from government regulators.

Understanding what e-waste you can and cannot throw away is important not only for meeting environmental regulations, but for your bottom line and public image as well. Working with a trained e-waste removal team can take these tough decisions out of the hands of your employees, and can safely separate and recycle e-waste for you.

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 an optional warranty, the repairer is considered the consumer of the CED. The repairer should pay the fee on any new or refurbished replacement CEDs provided, either at the time of purchase or by reporting these CEDs as self-consumed on line 2 of their CDTFA-501-ER, Electronic Waste Recycling Fee Return.

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.

Trash collection for the City of Columbus is managed by the Department of Public Service, Division of Refuse Collection. The City collects trash from more than 340,000 households using trucks with mechanical arms to pick up and empty collection containers.

Look up your refuse, recycling and yard waste collection days. Print custom calendars for your home and sign up for telephone, e-mail or calendar reminders.

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:

Recent research from the Environmental Protection Agency shows the amount of e-waste produced is growing at a rate three times faster than municipal trash. With technology constantly being updated, the lifespan of electronics is rapidly diminishing. This makes the need for recycling these items more important than ever.

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.

The City of Madison is thrilled to announce that starting on Monday, February 20, 2023 the Streets Division will stop charging recycling fees for televisions, computers, laptops, and monitors.

These items will be accepted at no cost from City of Madison residents at the Streets Division drop-off sites. Businesses may not use the electronics drop-off sites.

The City of Madison contracts with Universal Recycling Technologies (URT) to accept and recycle electronics collected at Streets Division drop-off sites. Fees are charged by the City to allow the City to recover its costs to provide this service.

This means that the City will incur no electronics recycling costs in 2023. And the Streets Division will be able to forgo the recycling fee charges in 2023 for recycling televisions, computers, laptops, and monitors that had been used to offset the City’s electronics recycling costs.

Do not place televisions, computers, laptops, or monitors to the curb. These contain hazardous items like lead or mercury, and can also hold sensitive information. If you place a television at the curb it will be subject to removal by city staff, and if such a removal occurs, you will still receive a special assessment from the Streets Division for administrative costs. Additional details can be found at the Streets Division’s electronics recycling website, www.cityofmadison.com/eCycle.

Several electronics items are banned from landfills in Wisconsin, which means they must be recycled. All of these items are accepted at the Streets Division’s drop-off sites.

Ever wonder what exactly happens to your garbage and recyclables when you put them at the curb? Join the Solid Waste Division for a video tour of the Orange County Landfill located in east Orange County.

Please send an email to Solid.Waste@ocfl.net (include your name, street address, contact information, and details of the issue or request) or call the Solid Waste Hotline at

Collection will be provided as scheduled except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. When Thanksgiving and Christmas fall on a regular scheduled day, collection will move one day forward for the rest of the week.

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.

Rechargeable Batteries - Accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste disposal sites at both the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex and at various government office drop-off locations.

Cell Phones - Cell phones are accepted at the e-cycling stations at both the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex. Cell phones are also accepted at various government office drop-off locations.

Miscellaneous wires, cables, electronic cords, mice, keyboards, and strands of Christmas lights are accepted at the e-cycling stations at the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex.

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.

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.

The NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) keeps a list of registered electronics manufacturers and information about their e-waste acceptance programs on its website.

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.

Used electronics may be considered a waste depending on how they are generated and managed. Waste rules can be found in Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), including:

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:

If the manufacturer does not have a recycling program, check the Internet for other recycling options. Some manufacturers will accept competitor"s equipment in their

Target’s Electronics Trade-in service, offered in partnership with NextWorth, provides a Target GiftCard when you trade in your used small electronics. Ask your local Target store if it participates and for details of the program. You can also deal directly with NextWorth to recycle by mail and get paid for your product.

Important: By placing unwanted home computers at the curb, you offer identity thieves an opportunity to learn a lot about you. Your account numbers, passwords, and even social security number may be left behind in your electronics where dishonest people can find them. When your computer is taken to be recycled, however, your hard drive can be reformatted and all of your personal information permanently erased.

Upgrade what you have, rather than buying new. Instead of purchasing a new computer, for example, consider upgrading your current one with additional memory or new accessories.

Most computer monitors and televisions contain about five pounds of lead. Computers also contain other elements that, if improperly disposed of, can be environmental hazards (including metals and rechargeable batteries).

State law requires retailers of Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad), Button and Lithium Ion batteries to accept them back for recycling. These retailers include: Best Buy, Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, Sprint, Target, Radio Shack, Batteries Plus, and Verizon Wireless. Effective Dec. 5, 2011, state law prohibits persons from knowingly disposing of most rechargeable batteries in the garbage.

NOTE--Regular household alkaline or zinc batteries can be disposed of in the trash. For a fee-based alkaline/zinc battery recycling program, visit: www.thinkgreenfromhome.com/batteries.cfm.

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:

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.

Before recycling or donating electronics, it is important that you remove all personal and/or confidential information. Simply deleting files will not remove them from your device. Free data destruction software can be found online. If you are not able to do this yourself, many retailers offer this service for a small fee, and many manufacturers provide information on how to “wipe” their devices on their websites.

Many of Indiana’s solid waste management districts offer electronics recycling programs for residents in their area and are knowledgeable about local electronics recycling options. Please contact your district for more information.

Many manufacturers of electronics offer take-back programs and will accept the products they produce for recycling. The following manufacturers registered with Indiana E-Cycle have such programs and many accept all brands: