Refer to the Recycling Center Page of this website for specific information about Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling’s Electronics collection. This page contains general information about the Pennsylvania’s Covered Devices Recycling Act such as which electronics have to be recycled and which don’t, who has to recycle electronics, etc.
For other electronics recycling options, download the Westmoreland County Recycling Guide These options include:
- Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center
- Private electronics recycling companies
- Residents of some Westmoreland County municipalities have the option to recycle their electronics and/or household hazardous waste through their garbage hauler. The service is built into the trash/recycling contract; however, additional fees may apply, and certain materials may be restricted. Where available, it is necessary to contact the hauler to SCHEDULE the service.
- Junk haulers that will pick up the material at your house for a fee.
Pennsylvania Covered Devices Recycling Act
Video: How to Recycle Electronics– Find out the details about the Pennsylvania’s electronics recycling law and learn about the Westmoreland Cleanways electronics collection program.
The intent of Pennsylvania’s Covered Devices Recycling Act (CDRA) of 2010 is to initiate a disposal ban on covered devices, wherein no person may dispose of a covered device or any of its components with their municipal waste. Effective January 24, 2013, covered devices (televisions, computers, computer monitors, and computer peripherals) will be banned from landfill disposal.
The PA DEP has been working with trade groups, electronics de-manufacturers, and recycling professionals since 2010 to manage the volume of e-scrap expected to be generated once the full ban goes into effect. The key components of the act:
- Define covered devices (computers, monitors, peripherals, and TVs)
- Define manufacturer responsibility to pay for the e-scrap recycling programs
- Requires that consumers and small businesses have access to FREE e-scrap recycling programs
- Outline the procedure for developing and implementing e-scrap recycling programs
- Sets certification standards for e-scrap de-manufacturers
Simply put, after January 24, 2013, all consumers, and all businesses with less than 50 employees, must be able to recycle covered devices at no cost. Larger commercial businesses must recycle the covered devices but at their own expense.
What’s covered under the Covered Devices Recycling Act of 2010 (CDRA)?
The CDRA actually only mandates the recycling of certain categories of e-scrap: computers, peripherals, monitors (anything directly connected to a computer system), and televisions as follows:
- CPUs/Towers
- Laptops
- Computer monitors—CRT and LED/LCD
- Peripherals (mice, keyboards, speakers)
- Printers
- Copiers (desktop and stand-alone)
- TVs—all types and sizes
What’s NOT covered under the Covered Devices Recycling Act of 2010 (CDRA)?
Almost all of the programs designed to collect covered devices will also accept ALL electronic scrap, categorized as “non-covered” devices, at no cost to the consumer. The simplest description for what is recyclable is “anything with a cord”:
- Answering Machines
- Telephone systems
- Camcorders
- Cell phones
- Cameras
- Docking Stations
- Electric typewriters
- Pagers
- Radios
- Remote Controls
- Stereos/tape/CD players
- Microwaves
- VCR/DVD players
- Medical equipment
- Rechargeable batteries
- Toner/ink cartridges
- Testing equipment
- Fax/copy machines/duplicators
- Gaming consoles/controllers
- Digital media (VCR tapes/CDs/cassette tapes, etc.)
What About Electronics Retailers and Repair Shops?
According to the CDRA, all electronics retails such as Walmart, Best Buy, etc. must either provide recycling of covered electronic devices to their customers, or provide information on where such e-scrap can be recycled. Most large retail operations provide information, however Best Buy and Staples provide recycling for consumer electronics (except for TVs and monitors). These large retail operations are geared primarily toward the consumer market.
Small retailers, repair shops, professional offices, and other businesses with less than 50 employees fall into the consumer category, and must also be able to recycle their e-scrap at no charge. However, the large retail store programs are not designed to accept small business e-scrap.
Westmoreland Cleanways’ e-scrap Recycling Program is designed to serve the small business community. This should be a great opportunity to allow local retailers to remain competitive in the marketplace, serve their customers well, and comply with requirements of the CDRA.
For more details, refer to the CDRA Q&A prepared by the PA DEP.
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