Useful Websites: Recycling

Household batteries do not belong in landfill. Recycle your used household batteries at the library. Life West’s Buildings & Grounds staff take the batteries to a hazardous waste collection point.

Your outmoded cell phone can be used by people in shelters. Life West’s Data Services staff will handle the donation.

LOCAL COUNTY & STATE HOME PAGES

Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority
http://www.wastediversion.org/

Reuse: the Heart of Waste Prevention
California Integrated Waste Management Board
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/reuse/

StopWaste.org: Reducing the Waste Stream for Alameda County
http://stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=295

COMPUTERS, CELL PHONES, ELECTRONICS, VIDEOTAPES, DISCS

Computer Recycling Center / Computers & Education  
http://crc.org/
Drop off points for computers, electronic gadgets, and surplus electronic parts in Sunnyvale, San Francisco, and Santa Rosa.  Business pickup of multiple items. Important advice on erasing hard drives to protect proprietary information. Call (888) 887-3372.

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)
http://www.epeat.net/  Lists specific brands and models of computing equipment that meets design standards intended to minimize heavy-metal toxins and maximize safe recycling.

Electronics Recycling Options 
http://www.wastediversion.org/EwasteOptions.htm 
Lists recyclers in the greater Bay Area, with details on type of electronics (computers, monitors, etc.) accepted.

eRecycle.org
http://www.erecycle.org/search.asp
Search by California county for a recycler who accepts a specific type of electronic waste, from batteries to VCRs.

ewastedropoff.com
http://ewastedropoff.com/content/home
A schedule of special drop-off days at shopping centers and schools.  Primarily Eastbay and Southbay.  Pickup is by ASL, the largest e-recycler in Northern California.  They dismantle electronics at a warehouse in San Jose.

Shelter Alliance
http://www.shelteralliance.net/company/index.cfm
As a service to Life West students and staff, the Data Services department collects and contributes cell phones with batteries to this organization, dedicated to responsible cell phone recycling.

Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
http://svtc.etoxics.org/
This site combines information and action.  It has comprehensive information about chemicals, the industry, and  what manufacturers, retailers and consumers can do to prevent pollution.  The organization sponsors The Take Back Campaign aimed at engaging manufacturers to take extended responsibility for greener design and the proper recycling of their products.  It also promotes environmental justice, exposing the fact that 80% of e-waste in the U.S. is shipped to Asia or to prisons where unprotected workers and poor waste management result in toxic conditions.  Site has a link to  responsible recyclers in each state who have signed a pledge of stewardship.

TechSoup: Recycled Hardware
http://www.techsoup.org/products/recycle/
Advocates donating to a refurbisher rather than directly to a school or charity in order to ensure operability of equipment.  Refers to "Ten tips for donating a computer" that lists commercial and freeware for cleaning discs before donating or selling.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
http://stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=293
Household waste collection facility for county residents. A nearby site is located at 2091 West Winton Avenue in Hayward. For dates and open hours go to http://stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=578

Central Contra Costa Sanitary District Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility http://www.wastediversion.org/hhwreference.htm 
Household waste collection facility for county residents.

Grinning Planet
http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/12-21/battery-recycling-article.htm 
Article on evaluating the types of rechargeable batteries. http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/11-23/rechargeable-batteries-battery-charger-article.htm. 
Article on the myth of battery "memory effect".

JUNK MAIL

Junk Mail Reduction Campaign from Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition.  http://stopjunkmail.org/.
Order the "Stop Junk Mail" kit (PDF, 3 p.), or read its content on the Web.  Reduce postal mail, e-mail, faxes, and telemarketing calls.