Electronic Waste Recycling Program

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

In 2009, Suffolk County implemented an Electronic Waste Recycling program to address the County’s need to properly dispose of the ever-growing amount of unwanted or obsolete electronics. The hazardous materials (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and many other heavy metals) that are used in the production of these electronics pose a serious threat to the environment if the electronics are not disposed of properly. If they are treated like normal trash and thrown into a landfill, these toxic materials can leach into surface, ground, or drinking waters and, if incinerated, the particles pollute the air, and then settle into the environment. In order to mitigate this problem, Suffolk County has partnered with a responsible electronic recycling company, e-Green Management, which abides by all federal and state regulation. This company ensures that none of the materials that they handle will end up in a landfill, will be incinerated, or will be shipped overseas. The Electronic Waste Program developed by Suffolk County in partnership with E-Green Management has captured over 68,000 pounds of electronic waste which will be properly recycled. Suffolk County expects this number to rise even higher in 2010 with plans to expand the current program.