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SALT LAKE COUNTY -- As quickly as we go through TV's, computers, and cell phones, collectively we generate a lot of electronic, or e-waste. But, those items do not belong in the landfill, and Salt Lake County wants to make it easier for us to throw away that hazardous waste responsibly.
- Television
- computers
- Printers
- fax machines
- Scanners
- computer mice
- Keyboards
- Cell phones
E-waste is the fastest growing, most costly, and most hazardous household waste generated in Salt Lake County, according to the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.
"We want to make it really convenient for people, so people are not tempted to throw it in their trash," says Dorothy Adams, the hazardous waste program manager for the health department. "It is the most toxic stuff we have in our homes because of the heavy metals."
At a drop off event at Sugar House Park Thursday morning, the health department warned that a lot of our electronics get thrown away incorrectly.
"We don't want people putting them in the Dumpster, we want people recycling them," says Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon.
Events run from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- 1st Thursday of the month
Draper
12452 S. Galenda Park Blvd. (550 West)
Aug. 5 - 2nd Thursday of the month
Sandy
8775 S. 700 West
Aug. 12 & Sept 9 - 3rd Thursday of the month
Holladay
4626 S. 2300 East
Aug. 19 - 4th Thursday of the month
Salt Lake City
Sugarhouse Park Big Field Pavilion
1300 E.-1700 E and 2100 South
July 22 & Aug. 26
Prescription drugs will be accepted only at the Salt Lake City event.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that as much as three-quarters of the computers sold in the U.S. are stockpiled in our garages and closets. When thrown away, they end up in landfills, incinerators, or they're even sent off to Asia.
During the next month, the county will set up drop-off sites around the valley. You can get rid of batteries, prescription drugs, chemicals, and paints too.
Jean Wilson of Salt Lake County unloaded paints, paint thinner and an old television at the drop-off site.
"We bought our house 12 years ago," she says, "and this was stuff that was already there. So, we're just finally getting rid of it now."
According to the health department, the county spends $150,000 each year to dispose of electronic waste.
"They need to dispose of it properly," Corroon says. "Otherwise, it gets into our waste stream, it gets into our water stream, and it's bad for all of us in the long run."
The county mayor and the health department urged state lawmakers to pass a "product stewardship" law. That places the cost for recycling e-waste on the companies that make the products. Twenty states have electronic scrap laws, but similar legislation fizzled in Utah.
According to the health department, the cost for electronic devices has not gone up in those states and has not made manufacturers leave the states for those without legislation.
You can also take household hazardous waste to the county landfill and Trans-Jordan landfill during operating hours, if that's more convenient.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
