Arlington County’s E-CARE Event: Safely Dispose of Electronics and Household Hazardous Materials
Arlington County’s biannual Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE) provides residents with an opportunity to safely dispose of old electronics and household hazardous materials.
Spring is the perfect time to declutter and clean out our homes, and Arlington County residents have an excellent opportunity to do so with the upcoming Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE). On Saturday, March 23, residents can bring their unwanted electronics and hazardous materials to Wakefield High School for safe disposal. This biannual event aims to promote environmental sustainability and ensure the proper handling of potentially harmful items.
Convenient Disposal for Arlington Residents
Arlington County’s E-CARE event offers residents a convenient and responsible way to dispose of various items. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wakefield High School, located at 1325 S. Dinwiddie Street. To participate, residents are required to bring proof of Arlington residency and pack their vehicles in reverse order, with electronics being placed first, followed by hazardous materials.
Accepted and Not Accepted Items
The E-CARE event accepts a wide range of items for disposal, including automotive fluids, batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, household cleaners, lawn and garden chemicals, paints, and more. Items containing mercury, such as thermostats and thermometers, will also be collected. However, there are certain items that will not be accepted, such as asbestos, explosives, medical waste, prescription medications, and radioactive materials. Residents are encouraged to consult the county website for a complete list of accepted and not accepted items.
Year-Round Disposal Options
For Arlington County residents and employees who are unable to attend the E-CARE event, there are year-round disposal options available. Hazardous household materials can be dropped off at the recycling center located at 530 31st Street S., near Crystal City. Additionally, scrap metal, appliances, and electronics can be taken to the Earth Products Yard in Shirlington at 4300 29th Street S., or scheduled for pickup for a fee. The Shirlington facility also accepts inert materials such as cement.
Curbside Removal and Recycling Resources
Residents who are unable to attend the E-CARE event can request free curbside removal of certain electronic items, such as computers, keyboards, copiers, scanners, printers, cell phones, and televisions. However, there is a small fee for the pickup of older cathode ray TVs and computer monitors. Arlington County also provides a useful tool on their website that allows residents to look up specific disposal instructions for various items.
Conclusion:
Arlington County’s E-CARE event provides residents with a valuable opportunity to safely dispose of old electronics and hazardous materials. By participating in this biannual event, residents can contribute to environmental sustainability and ensure the proper handling of potentially harmful items. For those unable to attend, the county offers year-round disposal options and curbside removal services. Let’s make use of these resources and do our part in keeping Arlington County clean and safe for all.