Oct 22, 2009 5:53 pm US/Eastern
Baltimore Co. Bans Used Electronics In Garbage
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Starting Friday in Baltimore County, it will be illegal to put used electronics out with the trash.
CBS
Starting Friday in Baltimore County, it will be illegal to put used electronics out with the trash.
Suzanne Collins explains how residents can recycle those items instead.
It might be a rear projection TV, a cassette tape player, even dated computer equipment, but from Friday on, if you dump that or put it out as trash, you can be fined $100.
"We encourage people to contact retailers or manufacturers first to see if they have a take-back program to cover the electronics they have," said Charles Reighart, Baltimore County recycling manager.
Another way to dispose of dated electronics is by donating them to a non-profit. They also take cell phones, home phones and stereos.
One organization that takes electronics is the Salvation Army, but only certain items.
"One of the things we would ask them is does it work? If it works, we can usually get rid of it. If it's not working, then we get into a little more detail. Can we use it for repair parts? Can we recycle it?" said Major Forrest McIntyre, Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army say if not, the donation could actually cost the non-profit money to have it hauled away.
The group uses the funds for a rehabilitation center and employs the men they house, sometimes fixing electronics.
As a last alternative, the county will take the used electronic items.
To make it easier for country residents, there are now three drop-off points for electronics. They're open six days a week.
One county resident says he doesn't mind because it will help the environment.
"It's good because it keeps the hazardous materials out of the regular landfills," said Dino Davis.
Click here for more information about the new law and the drop-off sites.
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Link To Baltimore County Recycling Program
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