Disposal Ban
A disposal ban is a ban on putting certain types of materials into landfills. Disposal bans vary by state. Some states and local communities use disposal bans to encourage recycling and prevent some types of ground contamination.
Materials Commonly Banned From Landfill Disposal
Some of the most common types of materials that fall under statewide disposal bans include:
- Electronic waste or e-waste
- Yard waste
- Lead-acid batteries
- Ni-cad batteries
- Liquid waste
- Tires
- Items that contain mercury
- Infectious waste
Disposal Bans and Recycling
While almost all states have disposal bans for some materials, not all of them have a mandatory recycling program that goes hand-in-hand with those bans. In these cases, the item banned from the landfill doesn’t have to be recycled, but you must dispose of it according to that state’s regulations.
Almost all states ban lead-acid batteries from landfills, while half of them ban cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from being dumped into landfills. These old televisions and monitors are electronic equipment but fall into a separate waste category.
Other types of electronic waste that fall under many disposal bans include items like:
- Cell phones
- Computers
- Printers
- Televisions
- Tablets
- Small appliances
- Devices that use electricity like lamps and DVD players
- Battery-operated devices like clocks and calculators
Large appliances like refrigerators are technically electronic waste, but because of their size, most garbage disposal companies categorize them differently and may or may not accept them.
Garbage disposal companies that accept large appliances may charge an extra fee for pick up and disposal, especially if the item can’t go into a standard landfill in your area.
Common Banned Electronics
The most frequently banned electronic devices are CRTs. Recycling programs for CRTs exist, but not all states require these items to be recycled, even when they’re part of a disposal ban. Some states charge a fee when you turn in a CRT monitor for recycling.
CRT recycling saves the parts of monitors that are still useful. The remaining components that can leach dangerous substances like lead and cadmium into the ground are disposed of safely.
Computers are another of the most banned and recyclable electronic devices in the United States. Even new laptops can contain heavy metals like lead and cadmium that can contaminate the soil in and around a landfill.
Wire coating in computers and other devices can contain lesser-known but dangerous substances like phthalates and bromine, making electronics recycling important for the environment.
Your State’s Disposal Bans
To find out which items your state bans from being put into landfills, check the website for your state’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or similar office. Your garbage pick-up service will know which items are banned, and your local government offices can help, too.
The Importance of Disposal Bans and Recycling
Recycling electronic waste even when it’s not subject to a state disposal ban is the best option. Recycling lets manufacturers recover materials they can reuse. It also helps keep the dangerous substances electronics contain out of the soil and water.
Whether your company needs to dispose of computers or other electronic office devices, contact NewTech Recycling today. Partner with us to help keep these items out of landfills.
Related Terms: Electronic Recycling, TERRA, ITAD