E-waste FAQ
Why should I recycle my old electronics?
What happens to the computers that people bring to events?
Is my personal information on my computer safe? Do I have to delete the hard drive?
What do I do with household batteries?
Is there a limit to how much I can bring?
Can I take used items at the recycling events?
Can I receive a tax deduction for donating my computer equipment?
How can I have an Electronics Recycling event in my neighborhood?
How much does an electronics recycling event cost the Lower East Side Ecology Center?
Why should I recycle my old electronics?
According to the E.P.A., electronic waste contributes 70% of the toxins found in landfills, while only contributing 1% of the volume of materials in landfills. Electronic waste contains many toxic materials including lead, mercury, cadmium, phosphors and flame-retardants. Recycling your electronics waste decreases energy and water use, reduces pollution, and keeps hazardous chemicals out of our air and water.
A recently passed law makes it illegal for New York City residents to dispose of electronic items, starting July 1, 2010.
For more information see Local Law 13 of 2008.
What happens to the computers that people bring to events?
Computer equipment dropped off during our events is loaded into trucks and transported by to a recycling facility. We work with both WeRecycle! LLC and Sims Recycling Solutions as our Electronics Recycling Partners. They both guarantee:
• No-landfill policy: 100% of your donated electronics is broken down into component materials and used to make recycled products.
• No out-sourcing: all recycled material stays in the US to be used by American companies and is not shipped overseas.
• Components are sold to base metal brokers for use as raw materials, precious metal recovery refiners, and secondary plastics industries. Leaded CRT glass is shipped to funnel glass manufacturers.
Is my personal information on my computer safe? Do I have to delete the hard drive?
We require the electronics recycler to safeguard personal information on the hard-drive by physically destroying the hard drive. If you would like to do your own data removal go to Kill Disk or Darik's Boot and Nuke, both programs are free.
We accept the following working and non-working equipment:
• Computers (laptops & desktops, servers, mainframes)
• Monitors
• Printers, scanners, fax-machines, copiers
• Network devices (routers, hubs, modems, etc.)
• Peripherals (keyboards, mice, cables, etc.)
• Components (hard drives, CD-ROMs, circuit boards, power supplies, etc.)
• TVs, VCRs, & DVD Players
• Audio-visual equipment
• Cell phones, pagers, PDAs
• Telecommunication (phones, answering machines, etc.)
What do I do with household batteries?
All household batteries are accepted at any New York City Department of Sanitation Self-Help Special Waste Drop-Off Site. There is one drop-off site in each borough. Additionally, it is illegal to throw rechargeable batteries in the trash. All NYC stores that sell rechargeable batteries must take back rechargeable batteries. For more information about battery and other household special waste recycling, click here.
Is there a limit to how much I can bring?
No, but if dropping off computers, only those from homes may be dropped off. We cannot accept computers from businesses.
Do you offer pick-ups?
Unfortunately, we are not able to make pickups. We would like to suggest that you ask family and friends with cars for help. We have also seen people with vehicles organize their building by offering to transport computers from their neighbors to an event along with their own computers.
The next best thing to pick-up is to ship your computer back to the manufacturers. This service is offered by some computer manufacturers.
Can I take used items at the recycling events?
No. The collection events are not swap meets they are drop off events.
Can I receive a tax deduction for donating my computer equipment?
Yes. Please visit our info table at the event, and we can help you there.
How can I have an Electronics Recycling event in my neighborhood?
In order to make e-waste recycling accessible and convenient to New York City residents, the Ecology Center works with community partners to hold events in a variety of neighborhoods. If you would like to bring an electronics recycling event to your community, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 212-477-4022.
How much does an electronics recycling event cost the Lower East Side Ecology Center?
The Ecology Center is not a e-waste recycler. We hire e-waste recyclers and pay a recycling fee, based on the tonnage of materials collected. In order to make recycling free to the public and accessible to New Yorkers of all income-levels, the Ecology Center raises funds to cover recycling fees for electronics collected at each event and works to bring recycling events to a diversity of neighborhoods.