Electronic Waste Recycling
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PC
towers and monitors collected at an Erase Your E*Waste event in Helena.
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Electronic waste is the fastest growing portion of our wastestream. The
volume of electronics produced continues to increase, while their usable
lifetime continues to decrease. Electronics are made from valuable resources:
metals, plastics, and glass that require energy to manufacture. Reusing
and recycling these materials from end-of-life electronics conserves our
natural resources, avoids air and water pollution, and the energy and resources
required to make parts for new products. Because of the toxicity, electronics
present a special recycling challenge.
Why is there a fee for recycling?
Recycling electronics is a labor-intensive job that involves a lot of time and expertise. Include the cost of shipping and it’s an expensive thing to do. Plus, with items such as monitors and TVs, there is actually a NEGATIVE recovery value! Be cautious with companies or individuals who accept electronics for free recycling or those who actually pay you to recycle your electronics. Many times, these operations send your old electronics overseas to countries without regulations that set environmental or labor standards and are likely to be dismantled by people in unsafe conditions.
CBS's 60 Minutes did a great piece on this problem, "Following the Trail of Toxic E-waste." The article also explains why it is important to pay to recycle electronic waste locally. Recycling locally is good for local businesses and the local economy by keeping materials and jobs within a community rather than sending them overseas.
To read about S.A.V.E.'s efforts to make these programs more affordable and sustainable visit our legislative blog. Also, check out the links below to see Montana businesses that recycle locally.
Recycling E-Waste in Helena
Every fall S.A.V.E. partners with the Department of Environmental Quality and Yellowstone E-Waste (formerly Tatooine Electronics Recycling) to hold an Erase Your E*Waste even in Helena. The event runs for one day and most types of electronics will be collected during this time. There is a fee for recycling, however the fee varies by the type and size of the items being recycled. For large business pick-ups contact Yellostone E-Waste directly.
Staples has an electronics recycling program which accepts office technology products for recycling. There is a $10 fee to recycle larger items like computer monitors, desktop computers, laptops, printers, scanners, all-in-ones, and fax machines. Smaller items like keyboards, mice, and speakers are accepted at no charge. They do not take TVs. Call your local store for more information.
Batteries Plus will accept rechargeable and household batteries, and is located at 3091 N Sanders St.
Cartridge World recycles empty ink cartridges and is located at 1302 Prospect Ave Suite D.
S.A.V.E. collects fluorescent light bulbs (tube and u-shaped) and batteries on our business recycling route. We also collect rechargeable batteries and cell phones at our recycling drives.
Home Depot collects light bulbs and household batteries. The drop-off for these items can be found near the returns counter.
Yellowstone E-Waste (formerly Tatooine Electronics Recycling) visits Helena regularly to do business electronic recycling collections. To find out if your business can have a pickup, please visit Yellowstone E-Waste's website or call them at (406) 861-4920.
Check the Electronics Take Back Coalition's site for manufacturers that may take back these items or charge a fee to recycle them for you!