Electronics Recycling Program now offered daily; Unwanted electronics should be brought to DPW yard for disposal.

Beginning this week, the city will expand its electronics recycling program by offering a recycling service on weekdays for unwanted household electronics at no cost to residents.

In addition to accepting TVs and computer monitors, the city’s Department of Public Works now accepts desktop computers, laptops, servers and server racks, networking equipment, electronic instrumentation, printers, copiers and scanners, telephones, projectors, keyboards, battery backups, electronic and audio equipment, and toner and ink cartridges. Proof of residency or business location/license is required.

These items may be dropped off for recycling for free at the DPW yard located at 1 Franey Road. TVs and computer monitors may still be placed curbside (limit 2 items per household) on your designated trash day. Previously, these items were accepted only at “hazardous waste” recycling events held several times per year. The city expects to save more than $75,000 in electronic waste disposal fees from the switchover.

“As we continue to work to decrease our carbon footprint, offering ongoing electronic waste recycling is a tremendous step forward in those efforts and a burden lifted off residents’ shoulders,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “In addition to the customer service benefits, this enhanced program has the potential to save more than $75,000 in disposal fees, as estimated by last year’s figures. Electronic waste recycling questions continue to be among the most frequent calls to our 311 constituent service center, and we hope this change will serve residents well.”

The new program is offered through a contract with Protek Recycling, a Massachusetts- and New York-based company that conducts most of its processing in-house—including the separation of hazardous materials from recyclable materials. Items are either repaired and donated to nonprofits such as schools and universities or disassembled by hand to yield recyclable materials that are shipped to manufacturers or refineries for processing and reuse.

Electronics recycling will be offered on weekdays. Residents may bring unwanted electronics to the DPW yard during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Please call 311 with any questions about this or any other city service.