Celebrate Earth Day this year by learning about proper e-waste disposal! Since 2010, Oregon has made it illegal to dispose of computers, laptops, monitors, or TVs at disposal sites such as landfills, transfer stations, and incinerators. E-waste disposal can take place at facilities like those, but it cannot be mixed with other garbage or go in your general trash. It may be inconvenient, but proper e-waste disposal is important. Electronics can contain toxic materials such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. If disposed of in a landfill, those dangerous materials can make their way into soil and water.
What is E-Waste?
E-waste is short for electronics waste. It refers to electronic devices like phones, televisions, computers, printers, cameras, keyboards, mice, and more. This waste needs to be disposed of at dedicated electronics recycling drop-off locations and cannot be put in your normal trash. Covered Electronic Devices are recycled for free per Oregon law. Non-Covered Electronic Devices are recyclable for a fee as well, but not always at the same locations. Non-covered electronic devices may be treated as hazardous waste instead of electronic recycling at some facilities.
| Covered Electronic Devices | Non-Covered Electronic Devices |
| Computer monitors | Cash registers |
| CPUs (towers and desktop computers) | Cell phones and telephones |
| Laptops | Copiers |
| TVs (tube, projection, flat screen) | Disk drives and pc boards |
| Printers | DVD/VHS players |
| Mice | Fax machines |
| Keyboards | Microwave ovens |
| Scanners | |
| Speakers and cables | |
| Stereos | |
| Surge protectors |
How Big is the E-Waste Disposal Problem?
Each year 1.9 to 2.2 million tons of e-waste is produced, and sadly only 18% of computers, cell phones, and televisions are recycled according to Josephine County. That is why it is more important than ever for people to know how to properly dispose of their e-waste. Since e-waste disposal usually entails bringing your recycling to a center yourself, many people just throw electronics in the trash instead. Our e-waste problem is largely an issue of motivation. However, with the importance of farming and water in Central and Southern Oregon, it is extremely important to dispose of waste properly.
Making Time to Recycle Electronics
Scheduling a monthly run to the disposal center is a great way to share the responsibility with your neighbors or coworkers. You can get together a group at work, in your neighborhood, or on social media and take turns doing e-waste disposal runs. There is no way around having to haul your own electronics recycling in most places. Finding ways to share that responsibility with your community can help make it easier for everyone to do the right thing.
Where to Recycle Electronics
Most e-waste disposal is done at municipal facilities. However, there are additional ways to recycle electronics that may be more convenient. Electronics stores like Best Buy and Staples offer electronics recycling that is very convenient. Best Buy even offers trade-ins for some products and has an electronics trade-in calculator that you can use to see if your e-waste is still valuable. You can also check the Oregon E-Cycles website to find disposal centers anywhere in Oregon.
Anyone can take seven or fewer computers (desktops, laptops and tablets), monitors, TVs and printers at a time to participating Oregon E-Cycles collection sites for free recycling. Computer peripherals (keyboards and mice) are also accepted free of charge.
-from “Oregon E-Cycles”
Central Oregon E-Waste Disposal and Electronics Recycling
Electronic waste is a huge problem. It is only made worse due to planned obsolescence on the part of the manufacturer. That is, device manufacturers intentionally make their devices function worse to encourage you to replace them more often. Avoiding e-waste by using devices for longer and repairing them instead of upgrading is always the best preventative approach. However, we all have that drawer full of old digital cameras, iPod Nanos, and miscellaneous balls of cords and earbuds.
It is good to dispose of your e-waste on a regular basis instead of letting it build up and degrade inside your home. Below are all of the Central Oregon electronics recycling locations. Remember that your local Best Buy or Staples will also accept e-waste!
Central Oregon E-Waste Disposal Locations
| City | Electronics Recycling | E-Waste Accepted | Contact |
| Alfalfa | Alfalfa Transfer Station | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | Walker Road Alfalfa, OR 97701 |
| Bend | Knott Landfill Material Recovery Facility (AKA Deschutes Recycling) | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 61050 SE 27TH ST BEND, OR 97702 (541) 388-1910 |
| Bend | Opportunity Foundation | Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 275 NE 2ND ST BEND, OR 97701 (541) 389-0129 |
| Bend | Goodwill | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | Multiple Locations |
| La Pine | Southwest Transfer Station | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 54580 Highway 97 La Pine, OR 97739 |
| Madras | Madras Sanitary Service (OFFICE) | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 1778 NW MILL ST MADRAS, OR 97741 (541) 475-2071 |
| Madras & Metolius | Opportunity Foundation | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 1412 SW HWY 97 MADRAS, OR 97741 (541) 548-2611 |
| Powell Butte & Prineville | Crook County Landfill | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 5601 SW HOUSTON LAKE RD PRINEVILLE, OR 97754 (541) 826-2773 *Address may also be 110 Landfill Rd. |
| Redmond | Negus Transfer Station | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 2400 NE MAPLE REDMOND, OR 97756 (541) 317-3177 |
| Redmond | Opportunity Foundation | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 3294 S HWY 97 REDMOND, OR 97756 (541) 548-2611 |
| Redmond | Goodwill | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 3399 S. HIGHWAY 97 REDMOND, OR 97756 (541) 316-2090 |
| Sisters | Northwest Transfer Station | Computers Monitors Peripherals Printers TVs | 68200 FRYREAR ROAD SISTERS, OR 97759 |
Southern Oregon E-Waste Disposal and Electronics Recycling
If you live in Josephine County, as many Southern Oregon Webformix customers do, you have three options for disposing of your electronics. If your electronics are still working, charitable groups like Goodwill may accept them as donations. Charities do not do e-waste disposal though. If your electronics are not working, you will need to bring them to a recycling center. Be sure to call ahead and make sure the center will accept your specific e-waste. You can also use the waste disposal wizard to find out where to bring your electronics recycling.
- Southern Oregon Sanitation, 541-479-5335
- Republic Services, 541-479-3371
- Southern Oregon Aspire, 541-476-8241
- Josephine County Transfer Station, 1749 Merlin Road, 541-479-3371
Final Thoughts on E-Waste Disposal
It is more important than ever for people to start disposing of their electronics recycling properly. Oregon is a beautiful place with bountiful natural resources and agriculture. Unless we all take responsibility for our garbage, it might not remain so beautiful. Before you buy electronics, have a plan for how you will dispose of them. This little change in perspective can help you commit to responsible e-waste disposal. Also, remember that it is important to demand an end to planned obsolescence. Our electronics should be durable goods that can last at least 3-5 years. The more we replace, the more waste we create. Buy only the electronics you need and will use, and avoid purchasing new ones for novelty. You’ll help the planet and also save yourself a lot of money!
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