Certain E-waste and mercury- containing products banned from garbage and transfer stations

2005 Archived News

Don't toss that cell phone and hang onto that thermometer. Beginning Oct. 1 in King County, certain electronic goods and some common products containing mercury can no longer be placed in the garbage or taken to the local transfer station for disposal.

King County residents and businesses are asked to recycle their electronics at Take It Back Network member locations. Mercury-containing products can be recycled at private sector recyclers or household hazardous waste facilities. These items contain toxic materials that are hazardous to human health. They also contain valuable materials that can be recycled in a way that doesn't harm human health and the environment.

A similar ban on disposing computers, TVs, monitors and cell phones and mercury- containing products is already in effect in Snohomish County and the City of Seattle.

"With ongoing advancements in technology and more complex products appearing in the marketplace, we can't throw things in the garbage like we used to. Many electronic products contain mercury, lead, cadmium and other toxic metals. Household products that contain mercury include fluorescent light bulbs and tubes and thermometers. We need to recycle these products properly to ensure that our health and environment are not compromised," said Jeff Gaisford, Recycling and Environmental Services Manager for the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Solid Waste Division

Mercury-containing products that can no longer be put in the garbage or disposed at transfer stations are:

• "Button” – batteries – includes small button or coin-sized batteries used in watches, thermometers, hearing aids, etc.
• Fluorescent bulbs and tubes – includes "green tipped” tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs
• Mercury switches
• Thermometers
• Thermostats

Electronic Equipment that can't be disposed in the garbage or at transfer stations are:

• Cell Phones
• Computers, Monitors and Laptops
• Televisions

The following recycling options are available and some fees apply.

For Computers, Monitors, Laptops, Cell Phones, Televisions and other Electronic Equipment:

Contact a "Take It Back Network” business. These businesses accept used electronic equipment for reuse or recycling. For a list of businesses, contact the Solid Waste Division at 206-296-4466, toll free 1-800-325-6165, ext. 6-4466, TTY Relay: 711 or via the web at www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/takeitback/.

Curbside collection of electronics - For single family residents, the cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland and Redmond offer curbside collection for smaller electronic items including TVs less than 21 inches, computers, monitors, VCRs and cell phones. Some cities require residents to call at least one day in advance to schedule pickup. Check your hauler's Web site for more information: Rabanco http://www.rabanco.com, Waste Management http://wmnorthwest.com/washington.html.

Electronics are accepted at Recycling Collection Events (seasonal). For more information, contact King County Solid Waste Division at 206 296-4466.

For Fluorescent Bulbs & Tubes:

Residents – Accepted at local retailers. Call the King County Solid Waste Division or visit www.productstewardship.net. Also accepted at Household Hazardous Waste facilities. Call the Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692, TTY Relay: 711 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/products/list.cfm.
Businesses – Call the Business Waste Line at 206-296-3976, TTY Relay: 711 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/business/fluor.

For Thermostats:

Residents – Accepted free at local businesses. Call the Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692, TTY Relay: 711 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/business/wastedirectory/wastedetails.cfm?wasteid=200
Businesses – Accepted free at local businesses. Call the Business Waste Line at 206-296-3976, TTY Relay: 711 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/business/wastedirectory/wastedetails.cfm?wasteid=200

For Other Mercury-Containing Products:

Residents – Accepted at Household Hazardous Waste facilities. Call the Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692, TTY Relay: 711 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/othersites/index.html/#north
Businesses – Call the Business Waste Line at 206-296-3976, TTY Relay: 711 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/business/wastedirectory/wasteindex.cfm

For additional information, please contact the King County Solid Waste Division at 206-296-4466, toll free 1-800-325-6165, ext. 6-4466, TTY Relay: 711 during regular business hours or via the web at www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd