A special category of hazardous waste, known as electronic (e-waste) or universal waste poses a lower risk to people and the environment than other types of household hazardous waste but becomes hazardous upon disposal. The general rule of thumb is that any electronic device with a circuit board or plug should be considered universal/electronic waste.
Universal/electronic (e-waste) items that can be disposed at the SMaRT Station® include:
- Cell phones
- Televisions, computer monitors (limit 4)
- Computers and peripherals
- Microwaves
- Fluorescent bulbs, tubes and coils
Do not place universal/e-waste or other household hazardous waste in your garbage, recycling or yard trimmings carts!
Other Electronic waste disposal options:
Aside from the SMaRT Station, here are some other tips on where and how to dispose of electronics.
How to tell if an electronics recycler is legitimate
Did you get a flyer from an electronics recycler who will pick up material from your home or are you considering dropping your material off at an event? Are you thinking of organizing an electronics event for a school or non-profit as a way to raise money? How do you know if the company that is disposing of the material is doing it in a safe and legal manner? Before doing anything with your electronics, it's a good idea to ask the recycler:
- Are the collected electronics going to either an e-Steward or R2 certified recycler? Certified recyclers undergo a rigorous verification process for proper recycling and disposal prior to certification.
- If they aren't taking the electronics to an e-Steward or R2 certified recycler, do not do business with them.
For more information check out Electronicstakeback.com which has a list of things to be aware of when considering dropping your material of at an event or having in collected from your front door.
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