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You can't throw the TV in the trash anymore [The State, Columbia, S.C.](State (Columbia, SC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 01--Until today, tossing a television out with the trash in South Carolina was simply bad for the environment. Now, it's illegal. The S.C. Legislature in 2010 passed an electronics recycling law that banned televisions, computers, computer monitors and printers from the solid waste system. That portion of the law goes into effect today. Separate regulations setting penalties for violating the law were approved by the S.C. House but were stalled in the Senate and held over to the 2012 legislative session. If approved, they place the onus not on consumers but on landfill operators, who can be fined $1,000 per violation for accepting the banned electronics devices. Those devices contain toxic substances, including lead, mercury and cadmium. When they are deposited in landfills as e-waste, the toxins can be released into the atmosphere or seep into the land and ground water. Inevitably, you're going to need to get rid of one of those devices. Here are tips from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control's website on how to do it: --Regular recycling programs. Forty-three of the state's 46 counties have e-cycling programs, some more comprehensive than others. (Marlboro, Union and Williamsburg counties expect to have programs soon, according to DHEC.) In the Midlands, electronics can be taken to drop-off sites, including: The Columbia Sanitation Division office at 2910 Colonial Drive (city residents only) 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10441 Garners Ferry Road, Eastover, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday. The Richland County Landfill site at 1070 Caughman Road North, Columbia, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Saturday. Lexington County Landfill, 498 Landfill Lane, Lexington, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Any of the Kershaw County recycling drop-off sites, including 2328 Hwy. 1 South in Elgin, 60 Reclamation Road in Lugoff and 2752 Springdale Road in Camden, during regular drop-off hours. A complete list of statewide e-cycling efforts can be found here. counties.htm. --Special recycling programs. These are offered sporadically and in some cases are more convenient than going to permanent drop-off sites. Lexington County has a special e-cycling effort planned for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 9 at Irmo High School, 6671 St. Andrews Road, Columbia. --Manufacturer programs. All manufacturers of electronics are now required to offer their own e-cycling programs, and most major retailers have recycling programs. In many cases, you have to pack the device and ship it. With larger devices, there can be shipping charges. State officials expect most consumers will be more likely to drop off electronics at local collection locations. But if you prefer to ship the devices back to the manufacturer, DHEC has compiled a list of links. ___ To see more of The State, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thestate.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The State, Columbia, S.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) |