How do other people get rid of old computers and air conditioners? I get periodic notices from the city telling me I can take them to an electronics recycling drop off spot in some far-off corner of the Bronx. Carrying an old desk top on the Number 5 train is not exactly how I want to spend my Saturday morning. I see other people just leave them out for garbage pick-up but when I read about the heavy metals in them, I worry about the environmental impact. Is there something in between?


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. can you post a link that has more info about the recycling event on Smith Street? thanks.

  2. We did the city’s special electronics recycling day at Union Sq in March and it was so easy. The people there were so friendly and helpful and just made us feel great about doing it. We had a carload of stuff saved up from over the years and when they saw it, they exclaimed “we hit the motherload!”. You are doing the right thing and I am pleased the city is helping us out in this way.

  3. OP here. Thanks for the advice. The hours of the electronics drop off on Smith and President on MOnday, June 2 are 4-7, if anyone else is interested…

  4. FYI for disposing of AC units: go to Dept of Sanitation website, and find the link for AC disposals. You then complete an online form to make an appt for freon removal. The form instructs you to leave the unit at the curb in front of your home the night before the appt. The freon is removed by a sanitation technician, and an orange (I think) sticker is applied to the unit. It will then be picked up on your regular trash recycling day. I’ve done it twice, and the service is quick and reliable.

  5. AC units need to be tagged by the DOS. They remove the refrigerant from them so no ozone is damaged (remember the ozone hole?) I don’t know the exact procedure but surely you can find at nyc.gov

  6. There is an e-waste drive from Saturday May 31 thru Monday June 2nd at Smith Street btwn Carroll and President Streets…just saw the listing in the latest mailing from Bill de Blasio

  7. I’ve seen the electronic recycling vans picking up stuff all over Brooklyn including the Park Slope flea market. Definitely don’t need to go to the Bronx.

  8. There are occasional drop of days at Grand Army Plaza or various locations in Brooklyn. Check with Boro Hall, they may know.

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