Shopping for electronics this holiday season? Take into consideration what will happen to that television set, cell phone, or computer at the end of its electronic life. Pre-cycle! Yes, think about recycling options before you make that purchase.


Schedule a day to drop-off your old electronics at the City of Columbia Department of Public Works facility 2910 Colonial Drive (off of Slighs Road behind the city's First Tee Golf Center.) Only E-waste is accepted at this location between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday throughout the year. Proof of residency is required. Items dropped-off will become the property of the City of Columbia and cannot be reclaimed. No exceptions.

If you choose to donate the old equipment consider simply hitting the delete key will not destroy personal data on hard drives, flash drives, USBs and other devices. The city's recovery erasure company is the same used by the federal government guaranteeing secure data destruction.

You may also consider donating your computer equipment or cell phone to a non-profit organization that refurbishes these items for use in schools and other programs. Please use this opportunity respectfully to ensure responsible waste disposal is not simply passed on to those least likely to have access to recycling options. The city does not accept commercial e-waste.

Many electronic manufacturers offer take back programs. For more information contact the manufacturer. Each year, 50 million computers and monitors and 130 million cell phones (along with TVs and other electronics, these items are regarded as "e-waste") are landfilled. E-waste contains significant quantities of hazardous materials, such as lead and mercury. Because of the environmental hazards these materials, businesses and households are prohibited from disposing of electronics (including computers, televisions, cell phones, PDAs, etc.) in the trash to ensure toxic materials are kept out of our local landfills.

For more information contact the Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division, 2910 Colonial Drive, Columbia, South Carolina 29203, (803) 545-3800.