Dec 25, 2012 1 min read

Throwing away that old desktop computer or making room for that new 60-inch plasma screen TV may not be as easy as placing the unwanted electronic item next to the garbage can starting next month.

Beginning Jan. 24, the Covered Device Recycling Act will go into effect across the state. The act aims to keep electronic devices out of local landfills, prohibiting households and businesses from throwing out TVs, computers, monitors, laptops, printers, scanners, keyboards, mouses, speakers and other computer-related electronic devices.

The Washington County Planning Commission has been working to set up local drop-off sites where people can dispose of old electronic devices.

Sites include the Washington City Mission, 84 W. Wheeling St., Washington; Guardian Storage, 840 Jefferson Ave., Washington; Carroll Township municipal building, 130 Baird Ave., Monongahela; Burgettstown municipal building, 1509 Main St., Burgettstown; Goodwill stores at 89 Jefferson Ave., Washington, and 3492 Washington Road, McMurray, and the Peters Township public works building, 750 Bebout Road, Venetia.

The commission is working to establish more sites.

While the act goes into effect on Jan. 24, Waste Management, which serves much of Western Pennsylvania, will stop picking up electronic devices starting Jan. 1.