Computer (and other E-waste) Recycling in the Santa Cruz Area

Ready Reference Files

Computer (and other E-waste) Recycling in the Santa Cruz Area

Note: the following list of businesses and organizations is provided as information only. The Library does not intend to promote nor does it endorse the services provided by these businesses.

One of the most serious problems our society faces is what to do with the ever growing volume of electronic waste (E-waste). Electronic devices are a special problem because they often contain significant quantities of toxins, and they do not degrade in landfills. On the other hand, much of what is thrown away is still useable. Old computers often fall into that category. It is not easy to dispose of these items. Some things, like refrigerators and TVs, often require that you pay for their disposal.

Generally, the following organizations or businesses will either refurbish or recycle usable computers and peripherals. The recycling centers will recover some of the materials used in the products, such as small quantities of gold, in addition to lead, mercury, copper, steel, and other materials.

If your equipment is working or not too old, some local non-profits and businesses pass these products on to community organizations, or resell them to the public.

Computers & Peripherals

California Grey Bears
2710 Chanticleer Av., Live Oak 9-10 a.m., M-F
Accepts working computers and peripherals. They resell many items through their store.
Contact: (831) 479-1055

Dave's Computers
740 Front St., Santa Cruz 9-6 M-F & 10:30-2 Sat
Accepts working or repairable computers and peripherals. Charges $5.00 to accept monitors.
Contact: (831) 458-1131

M C Squared
5376 Soquel Dr., Soquel 10-5 daily
Accepts working or repairable Apple/Mac and PC computer products and peripherals.
Contact: Timothy Marshall, (831) 464-7262, tmarsh@mcsquared.org, http://www.mcsquared.org/

Sea Breeze Computers
242 Melody Lane, Watsonville 9-6 M-F & 1-6 Sat
Accepts working or repairable computers and peripherals.
Contact: (831) 768-9999, http://www.seabreezecomputers.com/

The Spot
1100-A Main St., Watsonville
Provides low cost computers & training for students of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
Accepts tax-deductible donations of working PCs with Pentium II or better chip, peripherals, and 15" or larger monitors.
Contact: John Cirillo, (831) 768-1825, emailto:info@thespotinc.com

Other e-waste such as TV's, stereos, vcr's, cell phones, printer cartridges, etc.

George's Television - Sanderson Satellite
9 Casserly Rd., Watsonville
Accepts working TVs and satellite equipment.
Contact: Russell Sanderson, (831) 724-3734

Staples
2460 17th Ave., Santa Cruz M-F 7am-9pm, Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6 (831) 477-9002
1445 Main St., Watsonville M-F 7am-8pm, Sat 9-7, Sun 10-6 (831) 763-1943
Accepts cell phones, pagers, palm pilots, toner & ink jet cartridges for recycling.

Val's TV, VCR & Radio Service
8 Porter Dr., Pajaro 10-5 M-Sat
Accepts working TVs, VCRs & stereo equipment.
Contact: (831) 724-3418

Verizon Wireless
1440 41st Ave., Suite B, Capitola M-F 9-7; Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5
Accepts all brands of cell phones, batteries and chargers, regardless of condition, for Hopeline program to benefit victims of domestic violence.
Contact: (831) 475-3100; http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/aboutUs/communityservice/hopeLineRecycling.jsp

Disposal Sites

County of Santa Cruz Household Hazardous Waste Facilities
Buena Vista Landfill (South County near Watsonville) daily, 7:30-3:30
Ben Lomond Transfer Station (Newell Creek Rd, San Lorenzo Valley) daily, 7:30-3:30
Accepts all household electronic products.
Fees: TVs and monitors - $10 ea. for screen 21" and under, $15 ea. for screen over 21".
Fee waived for up to 2 TVs or monitors daily. All other E-waste - no charge. Call for a voucher for larger quantities
Contact: (831) 454-2373.
Haulers pledge environmentally sound processing in the US and Canada.

City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility (formerly Municipal Landfill)
Dimeo Lane off north coast Highway 1 7:30-3:30 daily
Accepts TVs and computer monitors at $7 each, limit 1 per residential customer per day. No business generated CRTs accepted. Working computer components are placed in flea market area. All other E-waste is landfilled.
Contact: (831) 420-5220

City of Watsonville Waste & Recycling Drop-Off
320 Harvest Drive, Watsonville 9-12 & 12:30-3:30 daily
Accepts household electronic products from City of Watsonville residents and business ONLY.
Fees: Businesses charged $3 per TV or computer monitor. All other E-waste - no charge.
Contact: (831) 728-6133

Sources: A Genealogy Society Member; Cruzio.com; Phone calls to businesses; Business websites

Verified by: ES 4/07

Disclaimer:
While the Library has verified the information presented in these files in what it considers to be reliable and authoritative sources, it cannot take responsibility for nor guarantee the accuracy of the information presented.