E-waste is typically any consumer electronic device containing circuit boards which allow the device to perform very complex tasks, from computers to complex programmable coffeemakers.
Just because a device has an electric cord, plug, or cable, does not make it e-waste. See the list below:
E-Waste Includes: computers, laptops, electronic tablets, printers, cell phones, answering machines, VCR/DVD players, digital cameras, stereos, televisions, computer monitors, microwave ovens, thermostats, and complex programmable sewing machines and combination coffeemaker/grinders. Technically, this also includes musical greeting cards.
E-waste Does NOT include: cables, computer or printer cords, or consumer products which have "ready" lights or simple timers such as an iron, coffee maker, waffle iron, crock pot, etc. Many of these devices have "gravity switches" which cause a light to come on when the device is ready.
NOTE: Household Hazardous Waste information can be found at mountainview.gov/HHW.
Eligibility & Services
What Happens to the E-Waste?
All e-waste collected by Recology or taken to the SMaRT Station are properly handled to destroy information on them before being recycled for metals and plastics. All data-containing devices, such as computers, laptops, hard drives, and disks are punch-pressed or shredded or crushed to destroy data and protect privacy. No whole items are reused or shipped overseas. However, you should delete or reformat cell phones before recycling.
This program is for residents subscribed to curbside service (individual carts). Residents living in apartments with shared trash and recycling pay a lower trash rate than homes--please contact Recology for special (fee) collection.
Recology Mountain View will pick up e-waste devices in the On Call Plus Clean Up by Appointment program for residents subscribed to curbside service (individual carts). Contact Recology for an appointment at 650-967-3034. Appointments may be exchanged with a Voucher to SMaRT Station.
There is no fee for this curbside program, but you must box all small items like cell phones (remove the data card), cameras, calculators, etc. Please write "e-waste" on the box and set it with other large e-waste items away from the rest of the clean up materials. Different trucks are used to collect garbage, recycling, yard trimmings, bulky goods, and e-waste.
The following e-waste items are accepted:
SMaRT Station is a municipal transfer station operated by the City of Sunnyvale in partnership with Mountain View and Palo Alto. The SMaRT Station is located at 301 Carl Road in Sunnyvale. Call (408-752-8530) for more information or view information online.
Although we have provided a variety of ways above to help you properly dispose of these hazardous items, the costs are ultimately born by local government and ratepayers instead of by the manufacturers who produce the goods and the retailers who sell them. As a consumer you can help drive product stewardship by making informed decisions about the products you purchase, patronizing businesses with take-back programs, and encouraging manufacturers to make consumer goods with less toxicity and more recyclability. For more information on what you can do, visit California Product Stewardship Council at http://www.calpsc.org/.