Our homes are filled with a wide array of electronic devices. However, what happens when these high-tech items reach the end of their lifespan?

You get e-waste.

E-waste encompasses a range of electronic devices that are no longer in use or have become obsolete. This includes items like TVs, computers, phones, VCRs, and other electronic equipment. Many of these devices contain materials like lead or mercury and hazardous chemicals like flame retardants. When it comes time to toss these items, simply placing them in the trash harms the environment as these items break-down in landfills and poison the surrounding environment. This pollution causes problems for surrounding nature – and eventually makes its way back into our communities. To protect our communities and our environment, we’re giving you the lowdown on how best to deal with the obsolete and used up electronics that make up e-waste.
 

Explore Reuse First

The first thing you should do when dealing with e-waste is explore opportunities for reuse. If your electronic device is still functional and in good condition, consider donating it to a school  or a charitable organization. By extending the life of these gadgets, we can reduce the demand for new ones.

If finding a new home for your e-waste isn’t an option, recycling becomes the next best choice. Electronics consist of numerous materials, many of which are scarce and can be repurposed.

Responsible Disposal Options

If recycling or reusing isn’t an option and the e-waste simply must go, make sure it’s disposed of correctly. In the state of California, it is illegal to dump e-waste in any of your trash bins. Thankfully, there are plenty of available ways to safely dispose of unused tech.

In Los Angeles, residents have access to convenient e-waste disposal options. In particular, SAFE Centers are locations throughout the city where residents like you can drop off e-waste and other hazardous waste materials for free. Make sure to review the instructions on our website to review which waste can be collected and how to prepare your waste before arrival to ensure a safe and speedy drop-off! 

Mind the Batteries!

In addition to larger electronic devices, it’s especially important to consider the responsible disposal of single-use batteries. Due to their disposable nature, batteries are one of the most commonly dumped forms of e-waste. However, their commonplaceness does not make them any less dangerous – just the opposite in fact. They often contain toxic chemicals like lithium or cobalt and their energy-rich nature makes them a hazard for those handling them – in particular, lithium batteries are liable to cause fires unless their ends are sealed up with a material such as tape. In order to protect your home and your local waste workers, make sure to always bring your batteries to a qualified disposal center or City of LA SAFE Center!

We live in an age of technology and electronic devices have become inseparable from our daily lives. It’s up to us to make the right choices for our planet and ensure that these high-tech items don’t end up in a landfill polluting our planet. Never forget that every effort, even one as small as a single battery, helps bring us one step closer to a sustainable world. 
Thanks for joining us today on our quick foray through the world of e-waste. Have any questions about how to recycle e-waste or want to share your safe disposal experiences? Shoot an email to us at lastormwater@lacity.org. Happy responsible disposal, Los Angeles!