Used Electronics

Due to the rapid pace of development, electronic equipment quickly becomes out of date. Owners of electronic equipment have three choices:

Resell, donate or repair units
Dismantle and recycle units
Dispose of units

The April 13, 2000 letter to Dismantlers and Recyclers of Used Electronics gives detailed regulatory information on the first two options. A list of Dismantlers and Recyclers is also available. Some items (e.g., computer monitors) typically qualify as hazardous waste under DEC's RCRA hazardous waste requirements.

On July 28, 2006, USEPA published a regulations on cathode ray tubes. Although most of this rule is not in effect until adopted by New York state, the federal export rules became effective on January 29, 2007. Information on this rule is available from the link on the right.

For Households:

Electronics from households (e.g., home computers, home televisions)are not considered hazardous waste, even if they fail the TC/TCLP test. (If usable household electronics are sold for non-household use, they cease to be considered household waste.) Recycling and disposal requirements for household wastes vary by municipality. Please check with your municipality for information about disposing of used electronics in your community.

For Conditionally Exempt and Small Quantity Hazardous Waste Generators:

(The freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print PDF files.

Environmental Compliance & Pollution Prevention Guide for Small Quantity Generators (PDF format, 1422 K, 45 pages) - a summary of regulations for air, water and hazardous waste and information on pollution prevention opportunities.)

Hazardous Waste Regulations, 6 NYCRR Parts 370 through 374 and 376.

For Large Quantity Hazardous Waste Generators:

Hazardous Waste Regulations, 6 NYCRR Parts 370 through 374 and 376.

More about Used Electronics:

Dismantlers and Recyclers of Used Electronics - List of Used Electronics Dismantlers and Recyclers