ELECTRONIC (E-WASTE) WASTE DISPOSAL

Why should e-waste be recycled?

Electronic devices contain a variety of materials, including metals that can be recovered for recycling. Recycling your waste electronics saves resources because new metals don't have to be mined.

In addition, electronic devices contain high enough levels of certain materials, such as lead, that render them hazardous waste when disposed. Hazardous wastes cannot be disposed of in the garbage.

E-waste recycling options

  1. Donate e-waste for reuse
    If your item is working and can be reused, consider donation. See Electronics

  2. Drop-off e-waste for recycling at participating locations
    See Electronics and Electronics (business only)

  3. Drop-off e-waste for recycling at Zero Waste Sonoma free e-waste events
    See dates on this page or visit calendar of events

    See list on this page for acceptable and unacceptable electronic devices.

  4. Drop-off e-waste for free at County Refuse Disposal Sites
    See list on this page for acceptable and unacceptable electronic devices.

  5. Arrange for bulky item curbside pickup with your residential hauling company. For details, visit bulky item collection or contact your garbage hauling company.

FREE E-WASTE RECYCLING EVENTS

To make it more convenient for residents and businesses to dispose of their working/non-working electronics, Zero Waste Sonoma is partnering with Conservation Corp North Bay to conduct free electronics collection events.

No appointment necessary for these events. All events held in the parking lot. All events are 9A - 5P.

For E-waste events and County Refuse Disposal Sites

The following lists items accepted and not accepted at Zero Waste Sonoma monthly e-waste events and at County Refuse Disposal Sites. Other e-waste collection sites may have different criteria than listed below.

Acceptable e-waste for recycling:

  • Answering machines
  • Calculators
  • CD players
  • Cell phones
  • CPAP/Bi-PAP machines
  • Copiers
  • CRT monitor
  • CRT television
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • DVD players
  • Electronic cables
  • Fax machines
  • Hard drives
  • Keyboards/mice
  • Laptop computers
  • LCD monitor
  • LCD television
  • LED monitors
  • LED televisions
  • Microwaves
  • Modems/routers
  • Network equipment
  • Plasma monitor
  • Plasma television
  • Portable DVD player
  • Power cords and adapters
  • Printers
  • Radios
  • Rear projection and DLP TVs
  • Remote controls
  • Robotic vacuums
  • Scanners
  • Servers
  • Stereos
  • Tablets
  • Telecom equipment
  • Telephones
  • VCRs
  • Video games consoles
  • Zip drives

Unacceptable e-waste for recycling:

  • Appliances such as air conditioners, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, freezers, refrigerators, water coolers, dryers, furnaces, oil-filled radiators, ovens, stove tops, stoves, trash compactors, washers, water heaters, water softeners
  • Ballasts/capacitors
  • Batteries other than those in electronic devices
  • Battery powered consumer products such as power tools, toys, tooth brushes, cordless power tools
  • Contaminated electronic waste such as medical equipment
  • Exercise/sporting equipment *
  • Fans
  • Gas cylinders (propane, etc)
  • Gas powered lawn equipment
  • Household hazardous waste (pesticides, aerosols, cleaners)
  • Lamps and light bulbs
  • Medical equipment (can be accepted on a case-by-case basis)
  • Mercury containing items (thermostats, switches)
  • Miscellaneous household goods such as Swiffers™, clocks, waffle irons, irons, sanders, staplers, lamps, paper shredders
  • Non-electronic items such as CDs, VHS Tapes, DVDs, memory sticks and floppy discs
  • Radioactive devices (including smoke detectors and exit lights)
  • Satellite dishes
  • Small kitchen appliances
  • Solar panels
  • Vacuum cleaners, shop vacs (non-robotic)
  • Vehicle air bags
  • Wood, including wood-encased stereo speakers

* The TV screens of certain exercise equipment (e.g., NordicTracks, elliptical, stationary bicycles, rowing machines, etc.) should be recycled as e-waste.

How is e-waste collected at E-waste collection events and at County Refuse Disposal Sites processed?

It is transported to a sustainably certified recycling facility in California where is it carefully dismantled into different components (metals, plastic, glass, etc.). This material then goes to manufacturing facilities to be reprocessed into new products.