What To Do With Items Spectrum Ecycle Doesn’t Accept

Your Recycling Partner

Spectrum Ecycle Solutions accepts nearly every kind of electronics, technology, and appliances, including those with Freon, however, there are a few things we do not take. We want to be your recycling resource and provide you with solutions, so we have listed local places where you can take things like mercury thermometers, smoke detectors, light bulbs, and single-use batteries for recycling.

It is very important that these hazardous items do not end up in the landfill. They are toxic and when sitting in a landfill, create a more toxic environment for our overall air quality, water, and our health. Please choose to recycle responsibly and be a part of the solution.

Smoke Detectors

The two types of smoke detectors are ionization and photo­electric detectors. Ionization detectors contain a very small amount of radioactive material that must be handled properly. Look for the radioactive symbol on them.

Photoelectric detectors do not contain any hazardous material and can be dropped off at any electronics recycling facility. The ionization detectors should be mailed to the manufacturer for disposal. If for some reason, the manufacturer refuses the return of your smoke detector, check with your local governmental agency or contact the Office of Sustain­ability via email at [email protected]

Related Note: Carbon monoxide detectors DO NOT contain any hazardous material and can go to any electronics recycling facility, including Spectrum Ecycle.

Cassette Tapes & Diskettes

Although Spectrum Ecycle accepts VHS tapes, CDs, and DVDs, we do not accept cassette tapes and computer diskettes because the recyclable plastic in these items is too small for us to process. We recommend you send these items to Greendisk, (800) 305- DISK (3475).  This company specializes in “technotrash” and they have a mail-in recycling program.

Light Bulbs & Single Use Batteries

Bulbs – CFLs and small fluorescent bulbs are accepted at Lowes and Home Depot.

Large tube florescent tubes – Lens Masters and Metro Lighting accept these bulbs.

Alkaline batteries – Although alkaline batteries can be recycled, they do not contain any hazardous material, so they can be tossed in the regular trash. If you want to recycle them, Batteries Plus accepts them.

Spectrum Ecycle accepts all rechargeable batteries at no charge. If you have any recycling questions, please contact us – we’re more than happy to help.  314-428-0777

Mercury Thermostats