Fixit: Electronic items are a big no-no for trash

By Karen Youso, Star Tribune

Last update: January 1, 2007 - 5:02 PM

Q I know I can no longer throw a computer screen in the trash, but what about the keyboard? Also, can I throw away an old cell phone?

A Neither of these can go in the trash or landfills. They are toxic electronic waste or "e-waste." E-waste is any unwanted product that has a circuit board or a cathode ray tube (CRT). This includes:

• Television sets.

• Computer monitors, CPUs (central processing units) and peripherals (such as printers, scanners and keyboards).

• Cell phones, stereos, VCRs and other audio, video and telecommunication equipment.

E-waste needs to be recycled so it stays out of the garbage stream and conserves natural resources.

Your recycling options include local government programs that often offer drop-off days, electronics recycling companies and manufacturer or retail collection programs. In addition, some garbage haulers offer electronics recycling.

For a list of collection events and recyclers, visit www.moea.state.mn.us/plugin/recyclers-household .cfm or call your county solid-waste administrator. Residents of the Twin Cities metropolitan area may also visit www.greenguardian.com or contact their county solid-waste administrators.

When considering the options for recycling your e-waste, be sure to compare the fees and details. Also, before recycling, be sure to remove all private data from your hard drive or other data storage devices. You can buy a disk-cleaning utility for your computer or choose a recycler that provides this service.

Includes information from greenguardian.com and moea.state.mn.us

Donate Christmas tree?

Q We bought a new artificial Christmas tree this year and no longer want the old one. Can it be donated? It's in good condition.

A Check with churches, women's shelters and other similar organizations in your area. Sharing and Caring Hands, of Minneapolis, for example, has accepted used Christmas decorations and donated them to needy families.

Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-9033, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com. Past columns are available at www.startribune.com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies.