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Most consumers are aware that computer monitors and televisions have been banned from the trash. Effective February, 2006, State hazardous waste rules ban more consumer electronics and other hazardous waste from the trash. These items cannot be placed in garbage or recycling containers because they contain lead, copper, mercury or chromium that can pollute the environment. Shown below is a list of most prohibited items and how to dispose of them. Drop off service is available at the SMaRT Station or through the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program. Curbside pick up service is provided by Foothill Disposal for most items at no charge. However, a fee applies for collection of refrigerators, computer monitors, and televisions to cover the cost of special handling. For a detailed list of banned items, please contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control at 916-322-7676 or visit www.ciwmb.ca.gov/HHW/Info. | Foothill Disposal | | | 650-967-3034 | | | | | On Call Plus Program (no fee) | | - Batteries (household1)
- Cell phones2, telephones, answering machines
- Computer disk drives
- Fax machines, calculators
- Keyboards, mouse
- Microwaves and stoves, gas or electric
- PDAs, camcorders, digital cameras
- Printers, scanners
- Radios, stereos, tape players/recorders
- VCRs, DVD players
- Washer/dryer
- Water heaters
|  | | Special Collection (fee) | | - Air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers
- Computer monitors, laptops
- Televisions
- Tires
| | | | | SMaRT Station | | | 301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale | | | 408-752-8530 | | - Air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers (fee)
- Batteries (household1 and vehicle)
- Cell phones2, telephones, answering machines
- Computer monitors, laptops, disk drives
- Fax machines, printers, scanners, calculators
- Fluorescent tubes, compact bulbs
- Keyboard, mouse
- Microwave, stoves (fee)
- PDAs, camcorders, digital cameras
- Radios, stereos, tape players/recorders
- Sharps (hypodermic needles)
- Televisions
- Thermometers, thermostats
- Tires (fee)
- VCRs and DVD players
- Washer, dryer (gas or electric) (fee)
- Water heaters (fee)
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| For more information about which consumer electronics are subject to State hazardous waste rules, contact the California Department of Toxic Substances Control at 916-322-7676 or visit www.ciwmb.ca.gov/hhw/info.
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| | Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program | | | By Appointment Only (no fee) | | | 408-299-7300 | | - Batteries (household1)
- Fire extinguishers, flares
- Fluorescent tubes, compact bulbs
- Oil, paints, solvents, pesticides
- Pool chemicals, asbestos
- Prescription drugs and medicines
- Propane/balloon tanks
- Sharps (hypodermic needles)
- Thermometers and thermostats
Take-Back Locations for Batteries & Bulbs
Fluorescent lamps (compact bulbs, straight, circular, spiral and u-bent tubes)
Household batteries (no automotive batteries) can be taken to the following retail locations free of charge:
Lamps & Batteries:
Blossom True Value Hardware
297 W. El Camino Real (650-964-7871)
(leave with employee at register)
Orchard Supply Hardware
2555 Charleston Road (650-691-2000)
(leave at customer service desk)
Lamps only:
New Era Lighting
2243 Old Middlefield Way (650-940-1559)
Batteries only:
Wolfe Camera
1898 W. El Camino Real (650-968-5666) | 
| 1Household batteries may also be recycled through the residential curbside program (Foothill Disposal 650-967-3034). 2Cell phones may be taken back to retail stores. |
