LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With the holiday season well underway, giving and receiving the latest gadgets is a part of this gift-giving time of year, and the Lake County Public Services Department wants to remind residents to properly dispose of their old electronics, which cannot be placed in

curbside trash carts.

Some electronics waste, or “e-waste” contain hazardous and toxic materials including lead, cadmium, beryllium, mercury, and brominated flame retardants – all of which cannot be put in the landfill or curbside carts and must be disposed of as hazardous materials. An older computer monitor can contain up to 5 pounds of lead alone.

Today, very few electronics products can be recycled or repaired and many become obsolete within a few years, making proper disposal of every item extremely important to protect the Lake County environment.

Lake County residents can easily dispose of their e-waste properly – at no cost – by taking it to Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse and Recycling or the monthly e-waste event sponsored by Goodwill.

E-waste includes electronics that are replaced frequently such as cell phones and chargers, PDAs, computer systems and peripherals including accessories (printer, mouse, monitors, speakers, scanner, keyboard, cables, modems, etc.), as well as stereo equipment, radios, tape players, CD players, headphones VCR/VHS, DVD players, camcorders, fax machines, scanners, copiers, telephones, answering machines, microwave ovens, televisions, hair dryers, irons and blenders.

However, not all electronics are considered e-waste. Regular ovens, vacuum cleaners, coffee pots, toasters, batteries, stoves, refrigerators, and small engines are not e-waste, but can be taken to Lake County Waste Solutions or South Lake Refuse and Recycling to dispose of for a small fee.

Residents with curbside service in the unincorporated areas and in the city of Lakeport can contact their hauler to schedule a bulky item pickup for large appliances, televisions, air conditioners, etc. Fees for this service range from no-cost up to $20, depending on location and what needs to be picked up.

If the older electronic equipment is still in good working order, Goodwill will accept the items at the monthly e-waste drive as a donation for resale in one of their stores. Local thrift stores also will accept donations of items in good working order.

For more information on reducing, reusing, and recycling, please visit the Lake County Recycling Website at www.recycling.co.lake.ca.com, or call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

No Charge E-Waste Drop-Off Locations:

Lake County Waste Solutions

230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport

707-234-6400 or 1-888-718-4888

Open Monday to Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

South Lake Refuse & Recycling

16015 Davis St., Clearlake

707-994-8614

Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Goodwill Industries

Bruno’s Shop Smart

355 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport

First Saturday of each month, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thrift Stores That Accept Donations of Working Electronics:

Hospice Services

14290 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake

Hospice Services

1701 S. Main St., Lakeport

People Services

395 N. Main St., Lakeport

St. Vincent DePaul

16125 Orchard, Lower Lake

Methodist Church

21216 Washington St., Middletown

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .