Free Admission! This is a drive through event

Recycling out-of-date electronics, broken small appliances, dead phones, old batteries, and other electric- and battery-powered household items will be simple to do at a free, drive-through collection event at the Berglund Center on Saturday, November 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. 

Why not just throw those old electronics in the trash? “Recycling our electronics locally not only sustains and protects the Roanoke community, but it also delivers environmental benefits at the national and global level,” says Christopher Blakeman, Environmental Manager for the City of Roanoke. 

Specifically, recycling outdated electronics helps communities: 

• prevent hazardous toxins such as lead, mercury, and cadmium from leaching into the soil and water supply. 
• save valuable space in landfills for non-recyclable waste. 
• reduce the need for mining and manufacturing new raw materials which helps conserve natural resources and protects ecosystems. 
• allow for the recovery of valuable materials such as gold, silver, copper, and rare metals, thus reducing the need for new resources.  
• create a sense of shared responsibility to work together to protect the environment.  

 “What we choose to do with our waste truly matters here and abroad,” Blakeman says, reinforcing that by being environmentally responsible at home, “we can all help keep Roanoke vibrant and healthy for everyone.” 

Some of the acceptable items for collection at the event include televisions (intact); computer equipment and peripherals; printers, scanners, telephones, and fax machines; batteries; fluorescent lamps; CD and floppy disk devices; audio and VHS players; hard drives; cell phones, cameras, stereos, radios, microwaves, alarm clocks, video game consoles, headphones, modems and routers, calculators, power tools (no gasoline), heaters, vacuums, and thermometers. A complete list of acceptable items for drop off at the collection event can be found below or at: https://www.roanokeva.gov/2265/Computer-and-Electronics-Recycling-E-Cyc . 

For additional information, please contact: communityengagement@roanokeva.gov