With spring cleaning and Earth Day in our midst, many people might be looking to recycle some old electronics.
And there are things you should do - and should not do.
A big "don't" is throwing electronic waste into your regular garbage can.
"Option one is the guy doing your trash collection is going to see it, pull it out and set it up next to your garage, and you'll get a little note that says that's a no-no," says CEO Derek McCormack with Electronics Recycling of Minnesota. "That's probably best case scenario. Worst case scenario is it gets to their sorting facilities, they pull it out and identify it, and then they have to manage it."
That managing can mean money out of your pocket and a fine of between $50 and $150.
McCormack says Minnesota has had a ban on "E-waste" for around a decade and must be recycled under state law. But recycling old electronics has gotten easier over the years as well.
He says it's typically free for computers, laptops and cellphones, with small fees for TV's and monitors that often contain plastics and mercury.
McCormack notes landfills can't handle any more as it is.
"Samsung and Apple come up with a new phone almost every six months," McCormack explains. "TV technology has almost rocket shipped to the sky with new technologies there and we've got just this massive and growing problem of, what do we do with all this old stuff?"
You can find information on electronics recycling from the Minnesota EPA here. Information is also available for Hennepin County and Ramsey County.