Illinois is one of 25 states that have electronic recycling laws, making it illegal to throw away your old laptop or video game console. Here's how electronic recycling supports conservation and environmental health, and how you can find local drop-off sites.
For anyone wondering what to do with that broken laptop from five years ago, or with the collection of discarded cellphones they've amassed over the years, Illinois state law says that whatever you do, it's illegal to throw your old electronics in the trash.
"The whole idea behind recycling electronics is that anything that is made comes from a resource our earth provides. The metals and the glass both have recoverability as well as potential toxicity -- for the heavy metals, for the mercury, for the cadmium in some of the old TVs and monitors," Allen said.
by signing up you agree to our terms of service Today, the agency has a year-round drop-off location in Des Plaines. While most counties have similar locations listed on their websites, you also can check your municipality or waste hauler website to see if curbside pickup is offered.
Another common question is what electronics exactly are prohibited from the landfill by law. According to the state Environmental Protection Agency, devices covered under the program include computers, computer monitors, electronic keyboards and mice, printers, fax machines, DVD players, cable receivers and video game consoles.
Once electronics are collected, they're typically taken apart by hand by waste hauler employees at transfer stations or warehouses. Metals, plastics and glass are removed for reuse, while hard drives are shredded and any hazardous materials are separated for management according to state law.
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