Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty announced today that the Department of Sanitation will be sponsoring a series of electronics and used clothing donation events in September where New York City residents can recycle unwanted electronic items and donate gently used clothing and linens to a local charitable organization.
"Whenever you have electronic equipment or old clothing you no longer need, it is always better to arrange for these to be reused or recycled rather than thrown away," Commissioner Doherty said.
Since 2004, New Yorkers have dropped off over 1.3 million pounds of electronic equipment, over 4,500 pounds of cell phones, and over 350,000 pounds of used clothing and linens at DSNY sponsored collection and donation events.

The events will be held rain or shine from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

The Department will be collecting old or non-working computer equipment, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, portable digital music players, and cell phones from NYC residents at each event.  New Yorkers can bring up to five pieces of old or non-working electronic equipment (computers, monitors, desktop printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, DVRs, portable digital music players, and cell phones) to any event. All makes and models are accepted and drop off is free.  All electronic equipment will be recycled. 

The first 100 people to drop off electronics at each event will receive a $5 Best Buy gift card.
"While electronic devices are safe to use in the home or office, they do pose an environmental risk when improperly discarded," reminded Commissioner Doherty.

Cell phones collected during these events will benefit survivors of domestic violence through a program of the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/domesticviolence.

The event is being held through the assistance of the Lower East Side Ecology Center with the support of Best Buy, Con Edison, and Intel. For more information on other disposal options or where to donate working electronic equipment, visit www.nyc.gov/wasteless/electronics.
Starting July 1, 2009, under NYC's Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act (Local Law 13 of 2008), New Yorkers can return used electronics to the manufacturer for recycling. After July 1, 2010, it will be illegal for New Yorkers to dispose of these items in the trash. For further information, visit www.nyc.gov/wasteless/electronics.

CLOTHING AND LINENS DONATIONS

In an effort to reduce waste by capturing reusable textiles that would otherwise be thrown away, the Department, through the assistance of Goodwill Industries, is sponsoring a clothing and linens donation drive at each event.
Clothing and linens accepted for donation include: pants, dresses, shirts, sweaters, shoes, handbags, belts, blankets, towels, sheets, curtains, and tablecloths. All clothing and linens should be placed in plastic bags and tied securely to avoid moisture contamination.
If you can't make it to the clothing donation drives, the Department of Sanitation encourages New Yorkers to donate unwanted clothing and other household items in good condition to their local thrift stores or nonprofit organizations.  For additional information on where to donate clothing and working household goods, see www.nyc.gov/wasteless/donate.

For more information about the events, visit www.nyc.gov/wasteless or call 311.