The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality will soon give residents in Hinds, Rankin, and Madison counties a chance to dispose of their old electronics with ease.
Jackson Metro Area E-Waste Collection Day will happen on Friday, Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The recycling event, which will be held at the Mississippi Farmers Market, aims to avoid improper disposal of unwanted electronic devices, or “e-waste.” More than 6.9 million tons of e-waste is generated in the U.S. annually, with less than 20% being formally recycled.
“Electronic waste contains heavy metals and other toxins that are harmful to the environment,” MDEQ state recycling coordinator Jennifer Wells said. “E-waste collection events, like this one, provide an outlet to recycle these valuable materials into new products, reducing waste and protecting the air, land, and water of our communities.”
Items that can be recycled for include:
- Computers, laptops, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, and computer components
- Fax machines, desktop copiers, desk phones, and cell phones
- Televisions, VCR players, DVD players, and electronic games
- Stereos, radios, and related electronic equipment
- Rechargeable batteries (lithium io, lead acid, and nickel metal hydride only – no alkaline batteries)
Most recyclable items are free to be disposed of, exempting flat-screen computer monitors ($2 each), CRT computer monitors ($5 each), and televisions ($15 each).
“MDEQ is proud to join alongside a host of great community partners to co-sponsor this recycling opportunity for Jackson area residents and businesses,” MDEQ executive director Chris Wells said. “Our waste division and recycling program are committed to supporting opportunities like these for Mississippians to properly manage waste and protect our environment.”
Staff from MDEQ and other partners will be on site to help unload and manage all devices quickly and securely.
