New Recycling Rules for Electronics Effective Today

A new state law preventing Pennsylvanians from throwing out computers and similar electronics with the rest of their household trash goes into effect today, Jan. 24.

The mandatory rules cover computers, laptops, tablets, monitors and televisions.

Manufacturers are required to set up methods to recycle the material at no cost to consumers and more information about where to recycle electronics can be found here. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection also has a toll-free hotline at 1-800-346-4242 for questions about electronic recycling requirements.

North Whitehall Township recommends: 

• Free Recycle at 795 Roble Road Allentown. Contact name: Gene Gycsek Jr; 610-217-3868.
• Responsible Recycling Service LLC at 805 Tomahawk Dr. Kutztown. Contact Wendy Gordon Rodriguez; 484-641-5156 or 484-707-5759.  

***There is also an upcoming e-cycle event at Parkland High School on Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is hosted by Parkland's GEO Club. They will be collecting anything with a plug up to the size of a TV. They will not be collecting batteries or other items with toxic or regulated substances like refrigerators with freon.

Other local places accepting electronics are:

A+ Industries - will accept computers.
415 N. 15th St.
Allentown, PA 18102
610-821-5550

Staples - will accept computers.
4628 Broadway Allentown, PA 18104
610-530-7470

Best Buys - will accept computers, TVs, dvd players, and cell phones.
1504 MacAurther Rd.
Whitehall, PA 18052
610-432-6956

*Consumer Notice: Before taking any electronics to collection points or drop-off locations, consumers should first contact that location to see what types of electronics they accept. Not all locations may accept all items, such as TVs.