Special Electronic Recycling Guidelines
Did you know that each year, consumers throw away 400 million units of electronic equipment potentially polluting the environment with toxins like lead, mercury and cadmium?
To better manage the disposal of electronic waste in the state of New York, beginning Jan. 1, 2015, it became illegal for consumers to dispose of certain types of electronic equipment in landfills, the trash, and waste-to-energy facilities.
At County Waste and Recycling Cairo, we want to remind all of our customers that those electronics are not allowed in any County Waste container.
Some of the electronic items covered by the New York state law are:
- Cable boxes
- Computers and computer cords, wiring etc.
- Fax machines
- Keyboards and mice
- Monitors
- Televisions
- VCRs/DVD players
- Video game consoles
If you are unsure if your electronic device is covered by this law, please call the NYS Dept of Environment at (518) 402-8706 or email ewaste@dec.ny.gov.
The state offers these two options for the proper disposal of electronics:
- First, consumers can use a Manufacturer’s Takeback Program. The takeback program requires manufacturers of electronic equipment to take back their brands for recycling. Learn more about the Take Back Program.
- Second, go to an electronic waste collection site. A list of registered New York State registered waste sites can be found NYS Electronic Waste Collection Sites. Note that you may be charged a fee to use this option.
Greene County, NY – Electronic Recycling
In Greene County, all fees for acceptance of electronics items for recycling have been eliminated. You can now bring your worn out, broken or obsolete electronic items to any transfer station for recycling at no cost.
Accepted Electronics:
- Cable satellite receivers
- Cell phones
- Computers
- Keyboards and mice
- Laptops
- CRT Monitors
- LCD Monitors
- Scanners
- Small copiers and printers
- Televisions
- Fax machines
- VCRs and DVD Players
- Video game consoles
- Portable digital music players
Columbia County, NY – Electronic Recycling
In Columbia County, the electronic components that are accepted at the County Solid Waste Station located on Newman Road in Greenport are handled by Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. Businesses in need of proper disposal of electronics, may contact the Solid Waste Department at (518) 828-2737 for further instruction.
In accordance to the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling & Reuse Law the following items will be accepted at the Greenport Transfer Station free of charge - stereos, monitors, computer equipment, televisions, cell phones, fax machines, scanners, VCR's, portable digital music players, DVD players, cable/satellite receivers, electronic or video games consoles.
Due to handling requirements, these items will only be accepted at the Greenport Transfer Station. For questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Solid Waste Administrative Office at (518) 828-2737.
Ulster County, NY – Electronic Recycling
In Ulster County, residents can now recycle their electronics for free by bringing them to UCCRA (999 Flatbush Road location) during business hours Monday through Friday. Call the Recycling Hotline (845) 336-3336 for more details. You can also bring items to your local transfer station. You may also bring electronics to various retail locations – some of these include Best Buy, Office Depot and Staples. Please contact the store directly for further details about the Manufacturer’s Takeback Program.
County Waste and Recycling Cairo is just one branch of Eastern New York’s largest and most reputable waste collections and single stream recycling companies - whatever your waste removal needs, County Waste Cairo is here to help.
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