Disposing of Electronics Responsibly

By Dr. Della Garelle, Director of Conservation at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

We’ve been spring cleaning here at the Zoo! As a conservation organization, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is committed to disposing anything with an electric cord responsibly.

Colorado regulations prohibit all non-residential sources from disposing of ANY hazardous waste in solid waste landfills in the state. Therefore, color monitors and televisions, CPUs, keyboards, printers, VCRs and other end-of-life electronic equipment from your business, government agency, or school can not be accepted for disposal at municipal solid waste landfills.

The Zoo sends this type of equipment to a legitimate electronics recycler for reuse, refurbishing or disassembly for materials recovery (collectively referred to as "recycling"), or disposes of these wastes at a permitted hazardous waste disposal facility.

The state strongly encourages households to recycle their old computers and other electronic equipment, but they are not required to do so.

If disposed of in a landfill, however, harmful chemicals can leach out of this waste and contaminate our soil and groundwater. Many residents prefer to manage their unwanted household electronics in an environmentally responsible manner. El Paso and Teller county residents can take their electronic waste to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

A food donation to Care and Share is encouraged for this free service.

Visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or the Colorado Solid Waste Management Division to learn more about how to dispose of your waste responsibly.