Each year in California hundreds of thousands of computers, monitors, copiers, fax machines, printers, televisions, and other electronic items become “obsolete” in the eyes of consumers. Rapid advances in technology and an expanding demand for new features accelerate the generation of “old” electronic equipment, resulting in more “e-waste.”

Luckily,there are many options for disposal of unwanted electronics. They can be reused, recycled or disposed of properly

Electronic waste has become a serious disposal problem and the goal of Waste Management, Inc. is to recycle or reuse as much e-waste as possible, according to company officials.

Collection for the cities of Moorpark and Simi Valley is handled by G.I. Industries, which is owned by WM. Please call (805) 522-9400 for information on proper e-waste disposal or recycling of CRT’s or check WM’s website at www.KeepingVentura CountyClean.com for more options.

Moorpark residents can recycle electronic items through G.I. Industries, which will accept up to

three electronic items per year. Moorpark residents can also have electronic items picked up from their home as part of their bulky item collection. They may request their trash hauler to pick up four bulky items placed at the curb each year at no charge, said Shaun Kroes, administrative specialist for Moorpark. Residents can have up to two collections per year, for a total of four items collected. Call your hauler for a pickup: G.I. Industries at (805) 522-9400 or Moorpark Rubbish Disposal at

(805) 526-1919. There is a charge for each item after the first four.

Christmas trees

The Christmas tree is the symbol of the holiday season for many people, but it doesn’t have to end up in the garbage can once the holidays are over.

Waste Management customers can recycle their trees by cutting them in half and placing them in their yard trimmings cart on the scheduled pickup day. Christmas trees may also be taken directly to the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center, anytime Monday through Saturday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Dec. 26 through Jan. 14 free of charge for recycling.

The landfill is at 2801 Madera Road. Be sure to remove all decorations, including ornaments, tinsel, lights, and the tree stand. The trees will be mulched for reuse.

Flocked trees cannot be recycled, but they’ll be collected if cut into 3-foot sections and placed into the regular trash cart.

Californians dispose of more than 40,000 tons of Christmas trees each year. Most communities recognize that the final proper resting place for cut trees is not in a landfill, said Eric Rose, spokesperson for Waste Management.

Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s as compared to any other time of the year. The extra waste amounts to about 1 million extra tons per week, Rose said.

The packaging from gifts, food waste from large meal preparations and decorations from parties add up, but a little can go a long way to prevent unnecessary waste. Visit www.KeepingVentura Clean.com for an array of ideas that will prevent unwanted waste.