That old television in the garage is not ordinary trash. In California, most electronic devices are regulated waste and have to be recycled.
What counts as e-waste
- Televisions and computer monitors, flat panel and tube
- Desktop computers, laptops and tablets
- Printers, copiers and fax machines
- Stereos, DVD players and game consoles
- Cell phones, cables and chargers
Why it is banned from the trash
Electronics contain materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium that should not end up in a landfill, along with copper, aluminum and precious metals that can be recovered and reused.
How to recycle electronics in San Diego
Residents can use approved e-waste collectors and periodic collection events. For anything too big for your car — a 65-inch TV, a copier, an office full of monitors — we offer e-waste pickup and deliver the equipment to an electronics recycler.
Before you hand it over
Back up what you need, sign out of your accounts and erase or remove the hard drive. Recyclers shred the hardware, but your data is your responsibility until then.
Disposal rules and fees change. This article is general information for San Diego County residents; check with your city or hauler for the current rules, or call us and we will tell you what applies to your load.