News Summary

Flat-screen televisions, computers and other electronic gear are the rage this holiday season, but what about the old unwanted gadgets?

Trash haulers don't want the equipment cluttering up landfills, and recycling options are growing along with the electronics recycling industry.

Butler County offers recycling days April through September for e-waste, or electronic goods including computers, TVs, speakers, radios and fax machines.

The dropped-off items are given to Technology Recycling Group in Cincinnati, where hard drives are wiped clean and the electronics are stripped to their basic parts.

"They recycle everything from the plastic casings to the copper wiring to some of the minerals in the boards," said Anne Fiehrer Flaig of the county's environmental services department.

Those who don't want to wait can truck down there themselves, but there will be a charge.

Or, Staples or Office Depot both accept old computers for $10 apiece, she said. Apple, Dell, Sony and Toshiba have recycling programs; some even provide free shipping, according to the company Web sites.

The county offers a link from des.butlercountyohio.org, which details how to recycle dozens of items, from Christmas trees to cell phones.

A new campaign announced by Electronics TakeBack Coalition includes a Web site where consumers can e-mail TV makers to request free recycling programs. According to the group, only Sony Corp. has agreed to recycle all of its electronic products at no cost to consumers.

"It's time for the television companies to step up and take responsibility for this waste stream they are creating," said Barbara Kyle, the coalition's national coordinator.

According to the coalition, about 30 million TVs will be sold in the United States this year while only nine states have electronics recycling laws. Ohio isn't one of them.

For more information, visit electronicstakeback.com.

Staff writer Josh Sweigart contributed to this report.