Starting January 1, 2009

Last year, Americans shoved aside an estimated 27 million outdated or unwanted televisions, and 205 million computers and chunks of related hardware. We crammed most of this e-waste inside a million basements, or stuffed it in the trash.

Problem is, TVs, computers and the like (especially older models) contain lead, mercury, fire retardants and other substances that, when leaked from landfills or incinerated, are bad news for our air, water and bodies. Plus, it's a waste to throw old electronics out, or store them for years in the garage. The copper, gold and aluminum inside can be recycled for use in new products. It requires less energy to salvage those materials than to produce new devices from scratch.

Reuse: DEQ officials suggest using an old but still working computer to store a digital music collection or other files, freeing up memory on a new machine. Or give usable electronics to an individual or group who needs it -- a student, neighbor, church, school, charity or reuse center. Metro regional government lists charitable organizations, many of which accept used electronics. Or use sites such as Freecycle Portland (groups.yahoo.com/group/freecycleportland).

Recycle: For Oregon and Washington residents -- and their old TVs, computers and monitors only -- recycling is about to get a lot easier, courtesy of the new E-Cycles program.
Starting Jan. 1, you can drop off TVs, computers (desktops and laptops) and monitors at a network of free recycling sites. The network is the result of legislation in both states that requires manufacturers to pay to recycle their products, if they want to keep selling them here.

• In Oregon: Starting Jan. 1, search the Oregon E-Cycles database by zip code, city or town to find the nearest collection site, at oregonecycles.org. Or call the Oregon E-Cycles hotline at 1-888-532-9253. Note: The Web site and hotline will be active as of Jan. 1.
• In Washington: Starting Jan. 1, search for collection sites at ecyclewashington.org. Or call 1-800-RECYCLE

All the rest of the e-waste heap: The only items you can recycle for free through E-Cycles in Oregon and Washington are TVs, computers and monitors. Important: No other computer-related items (keyboards, mice, speakers, printers, scanners) or electronic devices will be accepted for free. Contact your local collection site for more information.