Ramsey County is now offering residents free electronics waste disposal through a partnership with Repowered in St Paul.
Ramsey County residents can empty that box, bin or shelf in the basement, attic or garage that is loaded their dated or unwanted phones, tablets, televisions, VCRs, keyboards, printers, gaming consoles and other electronics and take them to Repowered, located at 860 Vandalia St., St Paul, Mn 55114.
“One of the great things about Repowered is that they take things in and they can refurbish some items so they can be still be used and kept out of the trash. What they can’t refurbish, they can pull out some of the metals that can be valuable,” said Rae Eden Frank, interim environmental health division manager, Ramsey County Public Health. “There is lead, mercury, cadmium and other toxic materials in many of these item so it’s important that they be recycled by professionals and kept from contaminating the waste stream,” she added.
Frank stressed that those items and devices should not be discarded in the trashcan.
“That’s a concerns because many electronics contain toxic metals and chemicals and if they’re dispersed of incorrectly that can be harmful to health of humans and the environment,” said Frank. “Old electronics have become the fastest-growing type of waste created throughout the country right now.”
All data on any items will be physically destroyed or electronically wiped. In the not-too-distant future, Ramsey County residents will be able to deposit unused electronics along with household waste at a new Environmental Service Center. Groundbreaking on the Roseville center is planned for later this fall.
When the new facility opens in 2025, it will consolidate recycling efforts by the county and will also offer residents space for classes on environmental classes, rooms for Fix-it clinics and demonstration projects on renewable energy.
In Ramsey County, get more information about electronics recycling, here. In Hennepin County, that information if available here.