GPS Systems

Alternative ways to recycle
Illegal in Garbage & Drains
Electronic Waste

Repair, Don’t Replace!
Instead of buying new, support local businesses by having them repair and refurbish broken items. Search for repair options in your area. 

Consider Donation
If the GPS system is still usable, please donate. Visit Athens’ Material Reuse page for ideas.

City Specific Disposal Options
Please check with your city page (residential or commercial) to confirm if electronic waste (e-waste) disposal options are available, such as home collection, drop-off locations, and/or events. (These options vary per city.)

Household E-Waste Drop-Off
Your city or county may offer E-Waste and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off sites and collection events.
– Los Angeles County: S.A.F.E. Collection Centers and events
– Riverside County

San Bernardino County
– Ventura County 

Disposal Options For Businesses
E-waste cannot be placed in your containers. Schedule a Special Waste Collection by emailing [email protected] or calling Athens’ Customer Service Department at 888-336-6100. Fees may apply.

Some e-waste drop-off centers may allow drop off by small business generators (check links above).

Trash Bin

Never Throw Away

Never throw away GPS systems. Some GPS systems utilize mercury in the liquid crystal display (LCD) panel or the internal lamp to enhance lighting efficiency. GPS systems that don’t contain mercury contain other toxic metals that will leach into the environment if thrown away.

mercury

Look for the Mercury Label

Check the owner’s manual for any warnings about mercury and/or the “Hg” mercury symbol. The statement “may contain mercury” often means that it absolutely contains mercury. Items that contain mercury need to be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Alternative Ways to Recycle

Best-Buy-logo

Best Buy Recycling & Trade-In Program

Best Buy will recycle GPS systems and many other home electronics for free through their recycling program. They also run a trade-in program that accepts these items. Find a location.

Staples

Staples Recycling Services

Staples offers free, in-store recycling for unwanted electronics, including desktop computers, tablets, monitors, printers and other electronics. Locate your nearest Staples.

Did You Know?

Landfill Operators Use Their GPS Systems to Save Space

GPS systems are helping landfill operators save space in the landfill for more trash. GPS can track where their machines are located; they can also tell machine operators how well trash is compacting. This is a big deal since trash can only be compacted so much, and they don’t want to waste time and fuel by repeating this process too many times. Read more.

How Landfills Work

To get an idea of how GPS systems help landfill operators, it’s important to understand how landfill operators pack trash into the ground.