Disposing of your electronic in the regular trash can be dangerous for the environment. On February 17, 2009 we will switch to digital and many people will switch to a new television set and want to dispose of their old one. In anticipation of a high number of residents disposing of their electronic items, the city of Tampa is having an Electronics Collection Day on January 10, 2009.
The City’s Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management is coordinating an Electronics-Only Collection Day on Saturday, January 10, 2009 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 4010 W. Spruce Street. This collection day is in addition to the pre-existing biannual Household Chemical and Electronics Collections that are held on the last Saturday of April and October.
The following items should not be put in the trash:
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NOTE: Before getting rid of any electronics, please consider fixing a broken item or donating a working item to family, friends, or charity.
The following electronics are generally NOT hazardous and may be disposed of in the regular trash.
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Lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants are among the substances of concern in electronics. These substances are included in the products for important performance characteristics, but can cause problems if the products are not properly managed at end of life.
Lead is used in glass in TV and PC cathode ray tubes as well as solder and interconnects; older CRTs typically contain on average 4 lbs of lead (sometimes as much as 7 lbs in older CRTs), while newer CRTs contain closer to 2 lbs of lead.
Mercury is used in small amount in bulbs to light flat panel computer monitors and notebooks.
Brominated flame retardants are widely used in plastic cases and cables for fire retardancy; the more problematic ones have been phased out of newer products but remain in older products.
Cadmium was widely used in ni-cad rechargeable batteries for laptops and other portables. Newer batteries (nickel-metal hydride and lithium ion) do not contain cadmium.
Source: Tampagov.net, epa.gov
I fail to see why a computer mouse and a keyboard should not be put in the trash?
I’m glad to know those products are not hazardous. Even though I don’t want to throw anything away right now, I can feel good knowing my stuff is safe from hazardous materials. I don’t like the thought of toxic chemicals in my house.
Thanks for the comprehensive lists. It’s pretty scary that these things are seen as dangerous to put in the trash, but we are happy to have them within our homes.