Upcoming Electronic Waste Recycling Days
The Lower East Side Ecology Center is bringing electronic waste ("e-waste") to Flatbush November 19th, and Park Slope December 10th to finish off the year of e-waste recycling...
E-waste FAQ from the Lower East Side Ecology Center website:
Why should I recycle my old electronics?
What happens to the computers that people bring to events?
Is my personal information on my computer safe? Do I have to delete the hard drive?
What do I do with household batteries?
Is there a limit to how much I can bring?
Can I take used items at the recycling events?
Can I receive a tax deduction for donating my computer equipment?
How can I have an Electronics Recycling event in my neighborhood?
Why should I recycle my old electronics?
According to the E.P.A., electronic waste contributes 70% of the toxins found in landfills, while only contributing 1% of the volume of materials in landfills. Electronic waste contains many toxic materials including lead, mercury, cadmium, phosphors and flame-retardants. Recycling your electronics waste decreases energy and water use, reduces pollution, and keeps hazardous chemicals out of our air and water.
A recently passed law makes it illegal for New York State residents to dispose of electronic items, starting April 1, 2015.
For more information see the Electronics Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act.
What happens to the computers that people bring to events?
Computer equipment dropped off during our events is loaded into trucks and transported by to a recycling facility. We work with both WeRecycle! LLC and Sims Recycling Solutions as our Electronics Recycling Partners. They both guarantee:
• No-landfill policy: 100% of your donated electronics is broken down into component materials and used to make recycled products.
• No out-sourcing: all recycled material stays in the US to be used by American companies and is not shipped overseas.
• Components are sold to base metal brokers for use as raw materials, precious metal recovery refiners, and secondary plastics industries. Leaded CRT glass is shipped to funnel glass manufacturers.
Is my personal information on my computer safe? Do I have to delete the hard drive?
We require the electronics recycler to safeguard personal information on the hard-drive by physically destroying the hard drive. If you would like to do your own data removal go to Kill Disk or Darik's Boot and Nuke, both programs are free.
What can I bring?
We accept the following working and non-working equipment:
• Computers (laptops & desktops, servers, mainframes)
• Monitors
• Printers, scanners, fax-machines, copiers
• Network devices (routers, hubs, modems, etc.)
• Peripherals (keyboards, mice, cables, etc.)
• Components (hard drives, CD-ROMs, circuit boards, power supplies, etc.)
• TVs, VCRs, & DVD Players
• Audio-visual equipment
• Cell phones, pagers, PDAs
• Telecommunication (phones, answering machines, etc.)
We do not accept home appliances such microwaves, refrigerators, or air conditioners.
Please note: To recycle media, such as floppies, cd’s, zips, VHS tapes please recycle with Green Disk.
What do I do with household batteries?
All household batteries are accepted at any New York City Department of Sanitation Self-Help Special Waste Drop-Off Site. There is one drop-off site in each borough. Additionally, it is illegal to throw rechargeable batteries in the trash. All NYC stores that sell rechargeable batteries must take back rechargeable batteries. For more information about battery and other household special waste recycling, click here.