Electronics Recycling

Growing at three times the rate of other wastes, electronics is the newest challenge in environmentally friendly waste disposal. If not properly disposed of, electronics can release hazardous materials into our environment.

To help alleviate this problem, Broward County’s Waste and Recycling Services has provided Broward County residents with a program to dispose of electronics. Since 2001, more than 1,200,000 pounds of unwanted electronics have been recovered, including 100,000 pounds of lead.

Who can participate?
Broward County residents (Proof of residency required).

Where are the FREE drop-off locations?
Electronics recycling drop-off locations are in Pompano Beach, West Park and Sunrise. See maps below for the addresses and hours of operations.  A list of alternative ways of disposing of used electronics can be found at the United States Environmental Protection Agency.   

What about business-generated used electronics?
Businesses can contact ARC Broward for disposal information at 954-577-4160. Additionally, businesses can go to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection web site for a list of end-of-life de-manufacturing and recycling companies.

What can residents bring? 

    Computers, monitors, keyboards, mouses
    Terminals, printers, modems
    Cell phones
    Rechargeable batteries
    Televisions
    Copiers
    
        

Do not bring:

    Desks/Furniture
     Stereos/Speakers
     Musical Equipment
     Appliances
     Trash/Debris

Where are the free drop-off locations?*

North Collection Center
2780 N. Powerline Rd., Pompano Beach
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Central Collection Center
5490 Reese Rd., Davie
Saturday Only, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

South Collection Center
5601 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., West Park
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

*Restrictions apply.  View restrictions here.

ARC Broward, Inc.
10250 NW 53rd St., Sunrise
Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:00 p.m.

Once dropped off, what happens to the electronics?
Waste and Recycling Services partners with Achievement and Rehabilitation Centers (ARC Broward), a non-profit organization serving people with disabilities. ARC provides services to collect and refurbish or de-manufacture end-of-life electronics. ARC participants learn new skills and receive valuable work training in the disassembly of computers. The recovered materials are then shipped out for recycling or environmentally safe disposal.

Are there any electronics recycling alternatives?
Many retailers offer e-cycling options as well. If planning to use their services, please contact the store or manufacturer to ensure they are actively participating in the programs described below.

Office Depot: Sells prepaid boxes in varying sizes for shipping electronics to  recyclers. Boxes cost $5, $10 and $15. Cell phone drop-off site located in store.

Staples: Accepts computers and small electronics at Service Desk. Most e-cycling is free, although there is a $10 fee for dropping off larger items. Cell phone drop-off site located in store.

Office Max: Cell phone drop-off site located in store.

Radio Shack: Cell phone and rechargeable battery drop-off site located in store.

AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile: Cell phone drop-off site located in store.

Best Buy: This retailer launched a test program in June 2008 for free e-cycling at 117 stores, but the list currently does not include stores in Florida. Best Buy will also recycle a used electronic item at no charge when a new one is delivered or installed by the Geek Squad. Customers who purchase a new cell phone receive a postage-paid envelope so they can send in their old phone to be recycled. Some stores offer gift cards in exchange for smaller electronics such as IPods and Sony PlayStations. 

BrandsMart: Offers cash or store credit in exchange for certain small electronic items that are still usable. Visit their web site for an estimate.

Circuit City: Offers store credit for items shipped to EZtradein.com. Does not accept televisions.

Apple, Dell, Epson, Gateway, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Lexmark, NEC: All support computer recycling by shipping items back to the manufacturer.

Home Depot: All stores accept CFLs for recycling. However, check with your local store first as recent spot checks in Broward County (October 2008) revealed the program was not yet operational.