Oregon Public Broadcasting

Getting rid of your old TV or computer monitor becomes a little easier with the New Year.  A new statewide electronics recycling program kicked off Thursday in both Oregon and Washington.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman has more.

The goal is to keep electronic equipment out of landfills.  The items contain toxic materials such as lead and mercury.

Electronic equipment fills a bin at a drop-off location in Salem.

Lawmakers in both states passed laws requiring manufacturers to set up a free statewide recycling program for TV’s, computers and monitors.  

Some places will take additional items, like printers.

That’s the case here at the Salem-Keizer Recyling Station, where we’re about to recycle a printer that was cutting edge technology during the Reagan administration.

The printer is now on its way to recycling heaven.  

State regulators say the laws are designed to ensure the waste is recycled properly.

Both Washington and Oregon have set up websites for people to locate their nearest electronics drop-off location.

Information about electronics recycling in Oregon In Washington