Photo: Jessica Gall
Stacks of computers sat on pallets, waiting to be recycled at the Electronic Waste Collection Days event at IU-Bloomington.
Beginning Saturday, it’s illegal to throw your old TV or computer into the regular trash. A 2009 state law takes effect with the new year. Indianapolis Department of Public Works spokeswoman Molly Deuberry says it bans computers, computer monitors, TV’s, printers, and other electronics from being incinerated or dumped in a landfill.
“Some of these electronic materials that are disposed of may have hazardous materials, hazardous bi-products contained within them. So when they’re in a landfill those sort of things can leak into the ground and ultimately into the groundwater,” said Deuberry.
Seventy-eight of Indiana’s 92 counties have dropoff programs at electronics stores and other locations. In Monroe County, you can drop off items at the Solid Waste Management District’s office. More information is available on the groups website. http://www.mcswmd.org/index.php
