E-Cycle reached a milestone in November as Washington’s statewide electronics recycling program passed 250 million pounds of TVs, computers and other electronics collected since starting in 2009.

Over the past six years, Washington residents have turned in more than 5.4 million electronic devices. Electronic items contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium, and should not go to a landfill.

The Washington Department of Ecology estimates the E-Cycle program has prevented 23 million pounds of lead from ending up in the trash.

“Computers and electronics are essential to our society, and so is a clean environment,” said Maia Bellon, Ecology’s director. “It’s programs like these that make a profound difference for all us right now and for future generations.”

E-Cycle accepts computers, monitors, laptops, tablet computers, televisions, portable DVD players and e-readers at no cost to consumers. Manufacturers pay for the program under a 2006 Washington law.

There are 340 E-Cycle drop-off sites across the state. To locate the site nearest you, go to www.ecyclewashington.org.