GPS Systems

Alternative ways to recycle
Illegal in Garbage & Drains
E-Waste

Submit a Transportation Move Request to move electronic waste to B79. For items with DOE property tags, dispose through your Property Coordinator.

Trash Bin

Never Throw Away

Absolutely do not throw away GPS systems; some GPS systems utilize small amounts of mercury in the liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, or the internal lamp to enhance lighting efficiency.

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 household hazardous waste.

Alternative Ways to Recycle

Best-Buy-logo

Best Buys' Buy Back 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 will accept these items. Find a location.

Staples

Staples' Take Back Program

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.