With rapid technological advances, a garage can quickly turn into an electronics graveyard. But before residents throw away that old, dusty VCR or computer monitor, officials want them to remember that simply trashing them may be hazardous to the environment.
According to the National Recycling Coalition, many electronics contain toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs.
To give Scottsdale residents the opportunity to properly dispose of electronics, the city is holding Electronics Recycling Day from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the its corporation yard, 9191 E. San Salvador Drive.
Accepted items are computer, telephone and entertainment-related electronics.
Manuel Castillo, an employee in the city’s solid waste management department, said almost 100 percent of the recycled electronics can be reused in some capacity, which keeps them from reaching landfills.
He also said there are security benefits.
“It’s a win-win situation for our residents,” Castillo said. “Residents can feel comfortable not only helping out the environment, but also feel secure that their electronics would be safely dismantled, erasing all information.”
Future collection dates are May 5, Oct. 13 and Dec. 8. On April 7, the city will collect household hazardous waste at the same time and location.
For details, call (480) 312-5602.
If you go
What: Scottsdale Electronics Recycling Day
When: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today
Where: Scottsdale Corporation Yard, 9191 E. San Salvador Drive
Why: Residents can bring old computers and other electronics for recycling
