JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- If you got a new TV, computer or e-reader for Christmas you probably have old ones you want to get rid of.
The city of Jacksonville does not want you to throw them out with your everyday trash, instead they want you to recycle them.
Thousands of TVs, computers, laptops and even turntables are recycled each year in the River City.
The number is steadily increasing thanks to new awareness of the impact of hazardous materials in our landfills.
"They do not decompose very well at all. They would be sitting in a landfill for long periods of time," said Jeff Foster with the Solid Waste Division of Jacksonville.
It's not only dangerous to the environment but it can also cost the city money.
"It would go into the waste stream and out into the landfill. We'd have to have cost of picking it up and disposal costs. It definitely costs," said Foster.
Foster says it costs the city around $100,000 a year to dispose of all the material that people don't recycle.
At least five times a year, Duval County residents can take their old electronics to mobile collection events, absolutely free.
The next event is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Oceanway Park at 12215 Sago Ave.
The city says all data on computers and laptops are erased prior to being recycled.
"The company that comes by and picks it up, Creative Recycling Services of Tampa, scrubs the data from the electronic units," said Foster.
You can also drop off items Tuesday through Saturday at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2675 Commonwealth Ave.
Jacksonville hopes to recycle 75% of its municipal solid waste by the year 2020.
