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Beginning January 1st, 2015, it became illegal to throw any electronic waste, or e-waste, into the garbage or place at the curb for trash collection in New York State.  This disposal prohibition applies to all residents and includes computers, monitors, keyboards, printers, speakers, cell phones, televisions, and other small electronic equipment such as portable digital music players and DVD players.

Under the Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act of 2010, electronic equipment manufacturers who sell in New York State are required to accept for recycling or reuse their brand of equipment, as well as one piece of the same type of electronic waste of any manufacturer's brand.

In Tompkins County, residents can bring their old or non-functioning electronics to the Recycling and Solid Waste Center (160 Commercial Avenue in Ithaca) free of charge for recycling.  Items that are still in working order can be accepted at organizations like Finger Lakes ReUse, at the Triphammer Marketplace, to be refurbished or reused.

"Many of the components in electronics contain chemicals, including heavy metals, that can be harmful to your health and the environment," said Barbara Eckstrom, Tompkins County Solid Waste Manager. "For a number of years, residents have been able to bring those items to our facility to be recycled and properly disposed of in a safe manner."

Homeowners, businesses and waste haulers must comply with the new e-waste law provisions or face fines.

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