Effective Jan. 1, 2010, it is illegal to dispose of computers, laptops, monitors or TVs in Oregon. The ban prohibits disposal of these items in the garbage or at disposal sites such as landfills, transfer stations and incinerators.

The disposal ban is part of the same law that created Oregon E-Cycles, which provides free recycling of computers, monitors and TVs at any of the program's 220 collection sites statewide. Violators of the ban could be penalized up to $500 for each violation. Each computer, monitor or TV disposed of improperly is considered a separate violation.

Visit Oregon E-Cycles to find a nearby collection site to recycle computers, laptops, TVs and monitors, or call the toll-free hotline at 1-888-5-ECYCLE (1-888-532-9253).

Neither the ban nor Oregon E-Cycles covers computer peripherals (keyboards, mice, etc.,) or other types of electronics, but DEQ encourages recycling of these items too. Oregon E-Cycles offers a partial list of other electronics recyclers.