|
recycle
keep computers & electronics out of the landfill...
the tool of choice for innovative design Penscil is NOT an Electronics Recycling ServiceDue to increased call volume regarding this page, it has been expanded beyond just computers to include:
Remember: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. For more expert and timely information than you see here, check in with Earth 911 and the CA Integrated Waste Management Board. In San Luis Obispo County, a good place to start is Recycling & Environmental Services, Inc. off of Orcutt Road in San Luis Obispo, 541-5865. Electronics, computer monitors and TVs contain heavy metals and other toxins that are not allowed in landfills. Typical CRTs contain up to five pounds of lead. Experts estimate that about 6,000 computers are currently put aside in California each day and that up to 1 billion pounds of lead waste will be generated over the next four years. KCOY Central Coast News posted the EPA's advice on recycling electronics here. Here are a few ideas for recycling... HOUSEHOLD BATTERIESFor general information and help with recycling, check the EHSO Battery Disposal Guide and the relevant US EPA web page. KCOY Central Coast News summarized some battery facts here. Most standard battery types just can't be recycled so we need to minimize our use of them. Several local merchants who sell batteries also accept and properly recycle depleted batteries.
Among them are:
A comprehensive list is maintained on the IWMA Household Batteries page. Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, Mercury Refining, Bethlehem Apparatus, CONSUMER ELECTRONICS (cell phones, iPods...)Most facilities that accept consumer electronics (phones, TVs, printers, iPods, calculators, game consoles, audio/stereo components, DVD players, VCRs, etc.) also accept personal computers. Some places accept only PCs and some would rather put them to work than recycle their components and materials. See the Computers section below. All stores that sell cell phones are required to accept them for recycling. Some stores offer trade-ins and/or gift cards toward the purchase of new devices. You may be able to get some cash for devices. Two companies that offer cash are Gazelle and uSell. ecoATM also has walk-up kiosks that dispense cash in exchange for your devices. One kiosk on the central coast is located at Santa Maria Town Center. Detailed and up-to-date information is available at All Green Electronics Recycling and the IWMA Electronics page. The Achievement House in Paso Robles accepts e-Waste including computers, peripherals and entertainment equipment but NOT batteries and household appliances including microwave ovens. The Exploration Station in Grover Beach accepts virtually all consumer electronics in any condition. Once a year, usually on a Saturday in late July, the Trinity United Methodist Church in Los Osos puts a truck in their parking lot to accept all electronics for recycling. A couple of nationwide organizations that recycle consumer electronics for good causes are Cell Phones for Soldiers and Phones 4 Charity. You can also box up the electronics and ship them to Kansas. The Easy Recycle Store will accept the package for a fee. MONITORS (TVs & CRTs)Televisions and cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors should not be placed in the household trash. They are considered hazardous waste in California and are banned from disposal in landfills because of the lead in the screens. The Electronic Product Management Directory is a database of facilities that collect specific types of electronic equipment and equipment related parts for reuse or recycling. In SLO County, you can drop off a limited quantity at no charge to any of the following locations:
COMPUTERSCal-Tec Computers,
San Luis Obispo Computer Recycling Corp,
Santa Clara Metech Recycling, Gilroy CAPSLO Prado Day Center, San Luis Obispo SLO County Integrated Waste Management Authority, San Luis Obispo COMPUTER MANUFACTURERSSome manufacturers accept computers for a fee. For example... Dell, nationwide Hewlett-Packard, nationwide IBM, nationwide 888-746-7426 eBay wants you to learn more about eWaste and sell, donate or recycle your computer and electronics assets through their Rethink Initiative founded by Intel, Apple, HP, IBM, Gateway, UPS and USPS. Old electronic instruments (and sometimes computers) that still work can be returned to service by selling them to one of the many asset recovery companies. For example...
Westech Recyclers, Phoenix, AZ, 800-700-8545 MISCELLANEOUSSilicon Valley Toxics Coalition — information on the impacts of toxic materials; If you have CDs or DVDs that you would like to recycle, I Commit To Green will take them.  GENERAL
CA RESOURCES
US COMPUTERS
|
