Electronic Waste
California law states that Electronic Waste (E-Waste) must be recycled. Many consumer electronics contain low levels of hazardous metals that can potentially contaminate soil and water. To comply with the State mandate and preserve natural resources, Kern County supports Electronic Waste Recycling Collection Events. There’s a productive future for used televisions and computer monitors, a future of reusing and recycling. Electronic Waste, banned from local landfills because of hazardous components, is a by-product of technology. Cathode ray tube (CRT) devices including TVs and computer monitors, LCD desktop monitors, laptop computers, and televisions contain hazardous materials and cannot be tossed into a landfill.
As computers and televisions age, many residents upgrade their systems - leaving a void for the older models. Since many of these devices have countless hours of usable life remaining, the Kern County Public Works Department encourages residents to utilize one of the community-based Reuse programs.
Disposal/Recycling Options
Working televisions and computer monitors are accepted free of charge at many participating nonprofit organizations located throughout the county. Donate working electronics to the Bakersfield Association of Retarded Citizens (BARC), Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, or St. Vincent De Paul.
For E-waste, whose life has come to an end, the Department recommends a Community Recycling program. Non-working E-waste can be taken to:
- Kern County Disposal Sites
- One of three Kern County Special Waste Facilities (televisions no larger than 19")
- Bulky Waste/E-Waste Collection Events throughout the county
- Other locations can be found in the Public Works Recycling Portal.