Technology changes so rapidly it seems we are constantly generating electronic waste. Other than avoiding buying new products to begin with, the main way to prevent ewaste ending up in landfill is to responsibly recycle it. Here are 3 local resources for properly disposing of your electronic waste.

 

Oakland Technology Exchange West (Oakland)

Since 1995 OTX West has been redirecting computers and electronics away from landfill and into the hands of Oakland public schools and low income families.

They accept donations at their warehouse located at 1680 14th Street in West Oakland.  They will pick up larger donations from businesses and organizations. They were recently featured in an article in the SF Chronicle.

All donations are tax deductible and there is no cost assciated with donating. They state they securely erase data from all hard drives.

OTX West accepts:

• Desktop and laptop computers (PC and Apple)
• LCD Monitors
• Keyboards and mice
• Hard drives, cables, etc.

 

 

eWaste Collective (Berkeley)

Convenient drop off location in west Berkeley near Gilman Ave. They take all manner of electronics; here’s a full list of accepted items. All donations are tax deductible. They also have a program for distributing refurbished computers to schools and individuals though it isn’t their main focus. Bonus – they also accept bubble wrap and packing peanuts.

 

 

 

El Cerrito Recycling Center (El Cerrito)

Basically this is the mothership of east bay recycling. Aside from a few controlled items you do NOT have to be an El Cerrito resident to drop items here. They accept all kinds of ewaste for free, however your donation is not tax deductible. Here is their full list of accepted items.

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