It is illegal to put electronic junk in your garbage can; however, you can drop off electronic waste at the eWaste Collective in Berkeley without charge. They will take TVs, computer monitors, stereo equipment, DVD players, and microwave ovens, among other things. It seems like a lot of microwave ovens get illegally dumped on street corners in college towns everywhere at the end of the school year. For their hours and address, go to: eWaste Collective.

ABOUT BATTERIES AND LED LIGHT BULBS. Batteries and LED light bulbs are considered hazardous electronic waste. The eWaste Collective will accept laptop and cell phone batteries for disposal, but they will not accept regular alkaline batteries, and they do not accept light bulbs. If you have used alkaline batteries or LED light bulbs, you can bring them to me, and I will take them to the Alameda County Hazardous Waste Site. Do not bring me damaged or leaky batteries or broken light bulbs. Put your batteries in a closed Ziplok bag first. Put your light bulbs in a separate Ziplok bag. Remember – do not bring me damaged or leaky batteries, auto batteries, or broken light bulbs!