The holiday season can be a great time to give and receive the latest electronics and technological gadgets on the market. Out with the old, in with the new. But recycling old electronics can be challenging, since there is no dedicated recycling bin at home for old hard drives, broken MP3 players and obsolete laptops.
Don’t worry: There are many ways to recycle your old electronics this season. For example, some retailers and manufacturers take back electronics and recycle them for you. Also, if the electronics are still functional, they can be donated to a charity.
In New York City, agencies, schools, businesses and institutions, including nonprofits, are required to recycle computer equipment, unless it is donated or resold for reuse. The reason? Computers, TVs, and other electronics contain small amounts of heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and cadmium. The electronics are safe to use, but elements inside can become hazardous pollutants if they enter the waste stream without being properly recycled.
City residents may legally discard electronics such as computers, monitors and televisions in the trash until July, 2010. The responsible thing to do, however, is to recycle or donate them.
Where can I drop off electronics to be recycled?
Every year, the New York Department of Sanitation (NYDS) schedules drop-off days in each of the five boroughs for free electronic recycling. Last year, the dates were in the spring, and the NYDS has yet to update their calendar for 2009. So hang onto your old computers, and check back for updates. Or you can check with the retailer of manufacturer of the product to see if they will take it back to recycle.
What can I do with my old cell phone?
Verizon Wireless stores encourage customers to donate their old cell phones as part of the national HopeLine program. The used phones are reprogrammed to autodial 911 and are given to domestic violence victims. Alternately, the phones are sold and proceeds donated to local domestic violence groups. For more information, please go to the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence.
How do I recycle batteries?
It is illegal to throw away rechargeable batteries, which are in cell phones and laptops, for example. Most retailers that sell rechargeable batteries or items powered by them must accept up to 10 batteries of the same shape and size as they sell. No purchase is required. Hardware, office supply, wireless telephone and electronics stores are among those that may recycle your rechargeable batteries. Check out the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at http://www.rbrc.org/ for a list of locations. Also check here.
Other household alkaline batteries, watch and hearing aid button batteries may be tossed in the trash with your non-recyclable items. Also try asking stores that sell jewelry, watches, calculators or cameras to recycle your button batteries. Many will.
More Information:
For still more electronics recycling information, go to "New homes for old stuff".
And don't forget to check out the Freecycle network.
Call the Office of the Public Advocate at 
212-669-7250
for more information.
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