Trying to get rid of that old computer, laptop, tablet, monitor or television? A new Pennsylvania state law, effective tomorrow, prevents you from throwing out electronics curbside with the rest of your garbage. (Not that you would, anyway…)

Unless your municipality has an electronics recycling program, you have to recycle electronics like these ‘guys’ with a plug. There’s a good reason behind this law, too. Electronic goods contain precious metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury which are hazardous wastes, threatening us if not properly disposed. Plus, this encourages companies to reuse valuable metals so we don’t have to dig up more from the earth – which is often a resource-intensive process.

Good news: this new law requires the manufacturers to set up recycling options for you. Better news? There’s several locations to recycle your laptop and other “tricky” goods (which we mention in our “Where can I Wednesday” column for you!) right here in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has many “eCycle” events to recycle electronics too.

Photo: Whole Foods

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher