Electronics are always hot items to give or receive over the holidays. Whether you have a new flatscreen TV, laptop, DVD or MP3 player your old electronics may be left waiting in a pile to go out with the trash.
Soon, tossing those items in the trash will no longer be an option. A new state law that goes into effect Jan. 1 bans all electronics from landfills and requires recycling of electronics. Local government entities want residents to be aware of the impending change.
The electronics ban is part of Senate Bill 2106 that updated the state’s Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act requiring all electronics to be recycled by a registered collector, recycler or manufacturer, according to a news release from DuPage County. Electronic items will no longer be taken away with the trash in regular bins and violating the law could lead to a $7,000 fine.
“Electronics are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. waste system and contain hazardous materials such as lead and mercury,” DuPage County Environmental Committee Chairman Jeff Redick (District 2) said in the news release. “Unfortunately only 25 percent of electronics are recycled. The new electronics ban will ensure that people think twice before they throw an electronic away and hopefully they will seek other opportunities to either reuse the item or recycle it.”
In the city of Naperville, the city’s waste hauler, Allied Waste, will not pick up any electronics left curbside with the exception of items classified as white goods, such as refrigerators and ovens, according to the city of Naperville.
The city of Naperville has an electronics recycling pilot program, which allows residents to drop-off unwanted electronics at the Public Works Service Center Recycling Drop-Off Center, 180 Fort Hill Drive, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The pilot project is being conducted in conjunction with Creative Recycling Systems, Inc.
Items accepted at the self-service drop-off center include:
- Personal computers
- Laptops
- All-in-ones
- Monitors
- Televisions
- Large peripherals
- Copiers
- Computer cables
- Keyboards
- Mice
- Fax machines
- VCR and DVD players
- CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes
- Video game consoles
Another electronics recycling option for all Naperville residents whether they live in DuPage or Will County is the Will County Front Door Electronics Recycling Program. The program is open to all Naperville residents. Will County contracted with Vintage Tech to provide free collection through appointments.
Any Naperville resident who has a home with a ground floor door may arrange for pick-up of items.
Items that will be picked-up through the Will County Program include:
- Computers
- Laptops
- CRT and LCD monitors
- Printers
- Televisions
- Wires/cables
- Computer parts
- Battery backups
- Computer mice
- Keyboards,
- MP3 players
- PDAs
- Scanners
- Microwaves
- Cell phones
- CD/VCR/DVD players
- Stereo equipment
- Fax machines
- Video game consoles
For more information on the city of Naperville’s Household Hazardous Waste Center visit www.naperville.il.us/electronicsrecycle.aspx. To arrange pick-up through the Will County Front Door Electronics Recycling Program, call to arrange pick-up at 866-631-1707 or visit www.vintagetechrecyclers.com/willcounty.aspx. For more information on the landfill ban and a list of free designated recycling collection sites, visit DuPage County’s website at dupageco.org/recycling.