New Law Requires Electronics Be Recycled

The Manalapan Environmental Commission wants to alert residents of a new law in New Jersey which requires that televisions, computers, and screen monitors  be recycled. This electronic waste, or e-waste, has lead, mercury, cadmium and other toxins in them.

Lead within televisions and monitors shield people from radiation. Therefore, when these electronics are disposed in the garbage they pose a serious health risk. Recycling the elctronics prevent this hazard, as well as reuses valuable parts of elecronics that can be used again.

The law states that residents must no longer place electronics on the street with garbage pickup. In Manalapan, these elctronics can also not be collected with the recycling pickup that comes every other week. But, Monmouth County and Manalapan have e-waste recycling programs. Drop off your old electronics at the which is located at the Public Works yard at 207 Rt. 522.

Goodwill and the Salvation Army accept working electronics and some electronics retailers will take old electronics. Best Buy, Staples and PC Richards and Son will accept old electronics for recycling even if you didn't but the item from the store. It is advisable to call ahead of time and make sure that the retailer will accept your old donations first. Cell phones and batters can also be taken to certain retailers or mailed back to the manufactuers (who are required to accept them).

Recyling over all reduces pollution and greenhouse gases and saves energy and natural resources. Overall though, it is important for residents to comply with New Jersey's e-waste law because it is extremely important to keep hazardous materials out of the waste stream, so please do not put your old electronics in the regular garbage.