Dakota County Imposes New Fee for TV, Monitor Recycling

Those wanting to avoid a new fee for recycling their monitors and computers should hurry into The Recycling Zone, where some rules will change beginning next month.

Dakota County will charge a $10 fee to collect and recycle all types of televisions and monitors at the center starting Aug. 1. The drop-off site is located at 3365 Dodd Road in Eagan.

"The cost to collect, process and recycle electronics continues to climb due to lower market prices for some computer parts like copper and plastic," said an Eagan press release that was distributed on Tuesday. "There are also fewer local options for dismantling electronics."

Other electronics can still be dropped off at The Recycling Zone at no charge, officials said. No-fee items include computer hard drives and modems, laptops, DVD and VCR players, gaming consoles, phones, printers, toasters, vacuum cleaners and more.

"Electronics require special recycling and do not belong in curbside trash or recycling carts," the release said. "They contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium or mercury that are harmful to human health and can pollute our air, land and water if not managed properly."

Residents will be able to pay fees using cash, check, Visa or MasterCard.

The Recycling Zone is open four days a week. For more information, including a full list of electronics and other items accepted, visit the center's website or call 651-905-4520.