Whether you need to dispose of a cell phone, lights, or an old fry pan, we are here to help! Let’s take a deep dive into these three commonly tricky categories of items, how to dispose of them properly, and where you can bring them.
E-Waste
Examples include computers, monitors, printers, TVs, cell phones, headphones, smart watches, fax machines, VCRs, radios, etc.
Electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste, is unwanted electronic devices. The United States is one of the largest e-waste generators in the world according to the Department of Toxic Substances Control. In 2022, about 15.8 billion pounds of e-waste was generated in the U.S. E-waste is considered hazardous waste, as they may contain hazardous materials such as lead and mercury. This means e-waste doesn’t belong in any of your three bins at home! If thrown into one of your three bins, they can be very dangerous and can even start fires in recycling facilities. Instead, e-waste can be dropped off at no charge at the Shoreway Public Recycling Center (PRC) in San Carlos. No appointment needed!
Lights
There are many different types of light bulbs and light tubes and some of them require safe disposal. Allow us to shed light on how to dispose of each type!
- Halogen & Incandescent lightbulbs can be thrown in the black landfill bin, as they do not contain any hazardous materials (such as mercury). They can also be recycled, but at very few locations, none of which are in our service area. Visit RecycleStuff.org to find the nearest location.
- Fluorescent lights contain mercury and therefore cannot go in the garbage. Instead, fluorescent lights and bulbs (including CFLs and up to 6 ft. for tubes) can be dropped off at the PRC.
- LED lightbulbs and tubes can be dropped off at the PRC.
- HID lights are considered hazardous waste and are only accepted through San Mateo County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program.
- Neon Lights. Neon is not hazardous and can go into the garbage. If the lights have an electrical component with a plug, it could be considered e-waste.
Scrap Metal
A lot of people know that metals can be recycled, but many don’t know that not every object made of metal should go into your blue recycling bin at home! Some of these objects need to be recycled separately because they pose a safety risk for facility workers and harm to the machines. Many metallic items can be recycled as “scrap metal” and dropped off at the PRC. Here are some examples:
- Metal Utensils and Cookware: Metal utensils, pots, and pans can be recycled as scrap metal at the PRC and should NOT be put in the blue recycling bin.
- Non-stick Cookware: Can be recycled as scrap metal at the PRC even with the PTFE coating (often known as Teflon).
- Parts (Car or Scooter): If there isn’t a battery and the part is all made of metal, then it can be accepted at our PRC.
- Wire Hangers: Are ok to go to scrap metal at the PRC, but not in the curbside recycling bin as they will damage and jam the machinery at our recycling facility.
- Chain-link Fence: Can go in scrap metal as long as there is no plastic cover.
Sometimes items may be too bulky to put in the scrap metal bin at the Public Recycling Center and may need to be disposed of alternatively. For example, a metal filing cabinet is large and bulky, so it cannot be placed in the scrap metal bin and should instead be taken to the Shoreway Transfer Station or saved for one of your yearly Bulky Item Collection pickups via Recology San Mateo County.
We know that recycling items may be tricky, which is why if you’re ever in doubt about if something can be recycled or not, you can always contact us to help! Feel free to email us or call us at (650) 802-3500. Happy recycling!