July 1, 2011

North Carolina is the latest state to ban computers, televisions and other equipment from landfills. The new e-waste law is designed to keep hazardous materials like lead, mercury and cadmium out of the ground and water. The ban will also help encourage people to safely recycle e-waste so valuable parts from electronics can be reused.

The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources says the ban includes televisions, laptop and desktop computers, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards and mice. Most counties in North Carolina offer collection programs for electronics. Computer manufacturers are also required to offer free mail-back for their own equipment. Residents can also donate electronics to Goodwill where they will be resold or safely recycled. The NCDENR offers a comprehensive list of recycling options in the state, click here to find out more.

The ban will benefit the environment and the economy of North Carolina since the state is home to about a half-dozen major electronic recycling companies, more than most other states. North Carolina joins 24 other states that that have enacted a variety of bans on some types of electronic waste in landfills. Still, the Electronic TakeBack Coalition estimates Americans throw away three million tons of electronics every year and recycle only about 15 percent.

For more on the benefits of recycling old electronics, watch this DoYourPart video.