GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — Pandemic or not, people generate a lot more trash around the holiday season.
3News talked to the experts at the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District about some simple steps you can take to be a little "greener" around the holidays.
They tell us that each year, 130 million cell phones are thrown out – that’s about 65,000 tons.
Chances are you or someone in your home got a new smart phone or tablet.
The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District will take your old cell phones and other small electronics you no longer use and recycle them.
Education specialist Carin Miller tells us their general rule of thumb is as long as the item is under 10 pounds, they can recycle it.
“If you get a new blender, a new toaster, a new hair dryer, curling iron, things like that, we will take those small appliances here and they will get recycled.”
Miller also tells us, "electronics have a lot of expensive metals in them like gold and aircraft grade aluminum, which is a highly valued item. So they'll separate all those pieces out and then they get recycled appropriately."
Miller also encourage people to make their devices last as long as possible.
"Everybody wants to get the newest shiniest model, but you can usually make things last."
If you have any small electronics you want to recycle, you can take them to the county's facility.
Items can be dropped off at 4750 East 131st Street in Garfield Heights.
Many retail stores such as Best Buy, Staples, AT&T or Verizon also offer in-store recycling services.
For more information on recycling, visit the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District website.