curbside trash carts.
Some electronics waste, or “e-waste” contain hazardous and toxic materials including lead, cadmium, beryllium, mercury, and brominated flame retardants – all of which cannot be put in the landfill or curbside carts and must be disposed of as hazardous materials. An older computer monitor can contain up to 5 pounds of lead alone.
Today, very few electronics products can be recycled or repaired and many become obsolete within a few years, making proper disposal of every item extremely important to protect the Lake County environment.
Lake County residents can easily dispose of their e-waste properly – at no cost – by taking it to Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse and Recycling or the monthly e-waste event sponsored by Goodwill.
E-waste includes electronics that are replaced frequently such as cell phones and chargers, PDAs, computer systems and peripherals including accessories (printer, mouse, monitors, speakers, scanner, keyboard, cables, modems, etc.), as well as stereo equipment, radios, tape players, CD players, headphones VCR/VHS, DVD players, camcorders, fax machines, scanners, copiers, telephones, answering machines, microwave ovens, televisions, hair dryers, irons and blenders.
However, not all electronics are considered e-waste. Regular ovens, vacuum cleaners, coffee pots, toasters, batteries, stoves, refrigerators, and small engines are not e-waste, but can be taken to Lake County Waste Solutions or South Lake Refuse and Recycling to dispose of for a small fee.
Residents with curbside service in the unincorporated areas and in the city of Lakeport can contact their hauler to schedule a bulky item pickup for large appliances, televisions, air conditioners, etc. Fees for this service range from no-cost up to $20, depending on location and what needs to be picked up.
If the older electronic equipment is still in good working order, Goodwill will accept the items at the monthly e-waste drive as a donation for resale in one of their stores. Local thrift stores also will accept donations of items in good working order.
For more information on reducing, reusing, and recycling, please visit the Lake County Recycling Website at www.recycling.co.lake.ca.com, or call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.
No Charge E-Waste Drop-Off Locations:
Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
707-234-6400 or 1-888-718-4888
Open Monday to Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
South Lake Refuse & Recycling
16015 Davis St., Clearlake
707-994-8614
Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Goodwill Industries
Bruno’s Shop Smart
355 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport
First Saturday of each month, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thrift Stores That Accept Donations of Working Electronics:
Hospice Services
14290 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake
Hospice Services
1701 S. Main St., Lakeport
People Services
395 N. Main St., Lakeport
St. Vincent DePaul
16125 Orchard, Lower Lake
Methodist Church
21216 Washington St., Middletown
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .