TIPS&TOOLS

Oregon E-Cycles provides free electronics recycling; disposal ban comes next 

No computers in the landfill

Since Jan. 1, 2009, the Oregon E-Cycles program has allowed individuals and businesses to take up to seven computers, laptops, monitors and TVs at a time to approved Oregon E-Cycles sites, free of charge. Starting Jan. 1, 2010, “part two” goes into effect: a disposal ban for those same electronics.

Passed by the 2007 Oregon Legislature, Oregon E-Cycles requires electronics manufacturers to finance the recycling of these electronics. The program ensures proper handling and management of the materials collected. All approved recyclers are required by DEQ to follow certain environmentally sound management practices, including tracking and documenting recycling locations, and showing how the materials were handled. This level of diligence provides assurance to Oregonians that their discarded electronics are safely reused or recycled, and that toxic materials do not harm people or the environment here or abroad.  

Disposal ban
This free electronics recycling program will become even more popular when the state’s disposal ban on computers, monitors and televisions goes into effect in January. After that date, Oregonians must recycle these electronics – they will no longer be allowed to go into the garbage or to disposal sites such as landfills, transfer stations and incinerators.

The purpose of the ban is to make sure old electronics are reused or properly recycled. Reuse and recycling save energy, conserve resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. In addition, requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for end-of-life management of their products encourages them to design products with less waste and fewer toxics. Cathode ray tubes found in televisions and computer monitors typically contain about four pounds of lead, while printed circuit boards and batteries in computers contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury.

“Anyone knowingly violating the ban may face penalties up to $500 per item,” said Kathy Kiwala, Oregon E-Cycles Project Lead. “With Oregon’s convenient recycling system for electronic waste, it should be easy to keep it out of the trash.”

Look for recyclers

To find an Oregon E-Cycles location near you, go to http://www.oregonecycles.org or call 1-888-532-9253. Other electronics such as printers, scanners, copiers, etc. can be recycled but may not be free. If you are a business or nonprofit with more than 10 employees, you may still take your computers, monitors and TVs to an Oregon E-Cycles site for recycling, but you may be charged for items over the seven item limit.

 For more information, call Susan Terry at the Clackamas County Office of Sustainability, 503-742-4461.