A broken phone in the junk drawer, tangled cords behind the TV, or an outdated laptop can all sit around collecting dust, waiting to be thrown out. But they shouldn’t be placed in the trash or the curbside recycling bin.
Electronics need special handling, and tossing them away improperly can cause more harm than good.
Why is it important to recycle old electronics?
Electronic waste, or e-waste, can contain more than 1,000 toxic substances, including lead, mercury and cadmium. When electronics are thrown into the trash or dumped illegally, these hazardous materials can leach into soil and groundwater, posing risks to the environment and human health.
Recycling electronics also recovers valuable materials. Recycling 1 million laptops can save enough energy to power about 3,657 U.S. homes for a year and can recover valuable metals, keeping them out of landfills and reducing the need to mine new materials.
What does Akron accept in its curbside recycling program?
Akron residents in one-, two- and three-family homes receive weekly trash and recycling collection from the city. Items placed in curbside recycling carts should be loose and not bagged.
Accepted materials include:
- Metal food and beverage cans
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Plastic bottles and jugs
- Plastic tubs
What are some items not accepted in Akron’s curbside recycling program?
Electronics are not accepted in Akron’s curbside recycling program and should never be placed in your blue cart.
Items not accepted include:
- Electronics (phones, laptops, TVs, computers)
- Batteries
- Cords and chargers
- Glass — it must be dropped off in dedicated collection bins located across the city. Check this link for the current locations.
Where can Akron residents recycle electronics and other items?
Since electronics aren’t accepted in curbside recycling, residents must use drop-off locations, special events and local programs to recycle e-waste responsibly.
Akron Zoo e-waste drives and Earth Day events
The Akron Zoo (505 Euclid Ave.) hosts conservation-focused programs that include e-waste recycling drives during community events. During its Party for the Planet Earth Day celebration (in April), the zoo partners with local recycling groups such as ARCOA to collect unused electronics for responsible recycling. Visitors can bring electronics to be securely wiped and recycled.
The zoo also maintains an electronics recycling bin in the C Lot parking area for public use.
SA Recycling accepts large appliances
SA Recycling (701 W. Hopocan Ave., Barberton) accepts large appliances and scrap metal from residents and businesses. Accepted items include:
- Refrigerators
- Stoves
- Freezers
- Washers and dryers
- Water heaters
- Air conditioners
- Microwaves
- Small electrical appliances
The company also offers money for scrap metal.
Summit e-Waste Recycling Solutions offers free pickup
Summit e-Waste Recycling Solutions serves both the public and businesses, offering free on-site pickup of e-waste as well as data destruction and hard-drive shredding. The company accepts electronic items at no charge and maintains electronics recycling bins at several of its locations. Summit e-Waste also hosts events for electronics recycling throughout the year.
Retail and repair shop drop-offs
Some local businesses provide year-round electronics recycling:
- uBreakiFix by Asurion locations in Akron accept old phones, tablets, laptops, accessories and other devices.
- Best Buy and Staples offer in-store e-waste recycling for phones, batteries, printers and accessories. Some locations provide coupons or rewards points for recycling.
Tips before recycling electronics
Before recycling phones, laptops and other electronics, residents should take steps to protect personal information and ensure safe handling:
- Remove batteries.
- Erase personal data or reset devices to factory settings.
- Detach cords and accessories.
- Consider donating working devices instead of recycling.