Electronics without rechargeable batteries can now be thrown in the trash in Clearwater

Photo by City of Clearwater

The City of Clearwater Florida has issued an announcement regarding the disposal of electronic waste — discontinuing their electronic collection days, as they can now be thrown in your trash.

According to an email release from the City of Clearwater, household electronic items that can now be disposed of in your trash include televisions, computer monitors, computer central processing units (CPUs), computer towers, laptops, tablets, cell phones, and items that contain rechargeable batteries that can be removed.

The City stresses that all disposed of electronics that do not contain rechargeable batteries must be in residents' black barrel bins, not on the ground. They cannot go in standard garbage and recycling bins, as they pose a risk of fire when compressed in solid waste trucks, which can harm workers. If your electronic doesn't fit in your black barrel, residents are encouraged to call (727) 562-4920 to request a special pickup.

If you happen to live in an apartment or condominium complex with a shared trash unit, you can place your electronics in your City of Clearwater dumpster.

For items that do contain rechargeable batteries on the other hand, The City of Clearwater asks if they can be removed to do so before disposal. If you're unable to remove the battery from the item, residents are asked to take the entire item to a Pinellas County household chemical collection event instead.

Curious about what happens with all those tossed electronics?

According to their website, Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater no longer send collected electronics to a private electronics recycler as of October 2022. Instead, they will be processed with regular garbage at the Pinellas County Waste-to-Energy plant, where metals will be recovered and recycled, and their plastic casings are burned to create energy.
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Have other hazardous waste that needs to be properly disposed of? Use the Pinellas County's waste disposal tool to find out how to get rid of it safely and properly.
Article by Rachael Volpe