Recycle TVs and Computer Monitors for free

For Oregon and Washington residents -- and their old TVs, computers and monitors only -- recycling is about to get a lot easier, courtesy of the new E-Cycles program.

Starting Jan. 1, you can drop off TVs, computers (desktops and laptops) and monitors at a network of free recycling sites. The network is the result of legislation in both states that requires manufacturers to pay to recycle their products, if they want to keep selling them here.

From now on, when customers buy TVs or computers in either state, retailers must provide information about how to recycle them.

Search the Oregon E-Cycles database by zip code, city or town to find the nearest collection site, at oregonecycles.org. Or call the Oregon E-Cycles hotline at 1-888-532-9253.

All the rest of the e-waste heap: The only items you can recycle for free through E-Cycles in Oregon and Washington are TVs, computers and monitors. Important: No other computer-related items (keyboards, mice, speakers, printers, scanners) or electronic devices will be accepted for free.

What to do with it?
• Recycling sites that participate in the E-Cycles program may accept other electronic devices, for a fee. Call or consult recyclers' Web sites before you go.

• Metro regional government provides a searchable database of recyclers, for electronics and more. Or call the recycling hotline at 503-234-3000.

• Search by product type at earth911.com/electronics, which culls recycling options from government, nonprofit and retail sources.

• Some manufacturers, including Dell and Apple, will take back computers, keyboards, mice, printers and other equipment at little or no cost. Check the manufacturer's Web site.

• In Multnomah County, you can drop off cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, chargers and Bluetooth headsets into free recycling bins at 11 libraries and county buildings.

• Call to Protect collects old cell phones and refurbishes them for domestic violence survivors; find local dropoff sites at calltoprotect.org. Many cell phone manufacturers provide prepaid mailing labels on their Web sites to help customers return used devices. Or go to rbrc.org/consumer/index.php for a national network of retailers that accept used cell phones.