The term "e-waste" is loosely applied to unwanted electronic equipment like televisions, computers, laptops, printers, cell phones, cables, VCRs, copiers, fax machines, stereos, and electronic games.
Why can't I toss E-Waste in the trash?
Certain components contain materials that cannot be recycled or make them hazardous. If these items are disposed in landfills or, worse, dumped illegally, potentially toxic components may contaminate our ground water or pollute our environment. California law currently prohibits televisions and computer monitors from being disposed in the trash and subsequently landfilled or incinerated. Beginning in February of 2006 this law will apply to all e-waste. With limited landfill space it is always important to reduce, reuse, and recycle what you can.
What can I do with my E-Waste?
E-Waste is collected for free at all Household Hazardous/Electronics Waste Collection Events. See below for details about which materials can and cannot be brought to collection events. Additionally, the City of Los Angeles operates a number of "S.A.F.E." centers where the public can deposit E-waste to be recycled. Both of these services are available every weekend for FREE to all residents within the County of Los Angeles.
If you have electronics that are still usable, list them on LACoMAX, the Countywide online materials exchange, or donate them to your favorite charity. Some charities will accept broken, but repairable, electronics.
You can contact your City's recycling coordinator to see if additional programs may be available to you where you live.
You can also find the nearest recycler to you anywhere in the County using our online Smart Business Recycler Locator or the California Integrated Waste Management Board's Electronic Waste Database. These are especially useful resources for businesses with E-Waste.
White Goods - Refrigerator, Stove, Dishwasher or other "bulky" items (these items should be taken by your waste hauler and cannot be accepted at a Roundup) Business e-waste - If you are a business with e-waste, please see our online Smart Business Recycler Locator for a list of business e-waste recycling solutions, or call 1(800)98-TOXIC
Remember the three Rs: Reduce the amount of trash by only buying what you need. Reuse by giving items you no longer want to friends or charity. Recycle when the item is no longer useful to anyone.
Managed by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Environmental Programs Division
