Just about every home has it. A box, bin, or shelf in the basement, attic, or garage that is loaded with electronics that are out-of-date, unused, or broken—or all of the above.
But those once-coveted items and devices that are now taking up space most emphatically do not belong in the trash. “Old electronics have become the fastest-growing type of waste created throughout the country right now. That’s a concern because many electronics contain toxic metals and chemicals and if they’re dispersed of incorrectly that can be harmful to the health of humans and the environment,” said Rae Eden Frank, interim environmental health division manager of Ramsey County Public Health.
Ramsey County now offers residents free electronics waste disposal through a partnership with Repowered in St. Paul.
“One of the great things about Repowered is that they take things in and they can refurbish some items so they can be still be used and kept out of the trash. What they can’t refurbish, they can pull out some of the metals that can be valuable,” Frank said.
“There is lead, mercury, cadmium, and other toxic materials in many of these items so it’s important that they be recycled by professionals and kept from contaminating the waste stream.”
Ramsey County residents can collect their dated or unwanted phones, tablets, televisions, VCRs, keyboards, printers, gaming consoles and other electronics and take them to Repowered, located at 860 Vandalia St., St. Paul.
All data on any items will be physically destroyed or electronically wiped.
In the not-too-distant future, Ramsey County residents will be able to deposit unused electronics along with household waste at a new Environmental Service Center. Groundbreaking on the Roseville center is planned for later this fall.
When the new facility opens in 2025, it will consolidate recycling efforts by the county and will also offer residents space for classes on environmental classes, rooms for Fix-it clinics, and demonstration projects on renewable energy.
For more information about electronics recycling, go to ramseycounty.us/Electronics.
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