Broadly speaking, any electronic device containing a printed circuit board (PCB) is considered e-waste. If your device is programmable, it likely contains a PCB with electrical traces made from lead or mercury, which are hazardous materials that cannot be disposed of in a landfill. Even modern examples of once simple devices such as toasters and coffee makers may offer Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity and should be disposed of as e-waste.

Some examples of e-waste include, but are not limited to:

CRT Televisions & Computer Monitors                  Flatscreen Televisions & Computer Monitors

Printers, Scanners                                                     Computers, Laptops

Fax/Copy Machines                                                   Computer Peripherals (Mice, Keyboards, etc.)

External HDDs, SSDs                                                 Cellular Phones

Blu-Ray, DVD Players, VCRs                                     Stereo Systems (CD Players, radios, etc.)

Air Fryers                                                                     Pod-Based Coffee Makers (Keurig, etc.)

Wireless Headphones/Earbuds                               Consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, etc.)

Smart Watches, Fitness Trackers (Fitbit, etc.)        Solar Panels

To serve residents of the unincorporated communities within Ventura County, as well as the cities of Ojai, Santa Paula and Fillmore, the County of Ventura sponsors several events each year for the collection of e-wastes and other household hazardous wastes (HHW) at the Ventura County Pollution Prevention Center and Santa Clara River Valley Collection Facility. Please click here for registration information and event details.

Most other cities within Ventura County offer collection events as well, free for residents within their jurisdictions. Please click here for e-waste and HHW collection services available in your area.

Due to volume restrictions, businesses in Ventura County may not be able to participate in the programs listed above. See below for links to several companies providing services for commercial e-waste generators in Ventura County.

Visit CalRecycle’s E-Waste Recycling Directory to easily search for e-waste recycling facilities by zip code.

The Secure the Call Foundation accepts donations of old, unwanted cell phones and repurposes them as emergency-only, 911-enabled phones for distribution to people in need.

Cell Phones for Soldiers provides cost-free communication services to active-duty military members and veterans using donated cell phones and electronic devices. Please visit their website for more information.

Disclaimer

The information contained on this website is intended for educational purposes only. As such, any reference to specific companies, brand names, or products should not be construed as an endorsement or favoring by the County of Ventura.