How to Dispose of Car Dashcam & Hi-pass
- 1Car dashcams and Hi-pass toll transponders are classified as Small Electronic Waste (E-waste) containing printed circuit boards, lithium-ion battery cells, or supercapacitors.
- 2Before disposal, you must remove the MicroSD card and wipe or physically shred it to prevent leakage of private dashcam driving footage, GPS logs, and audio.
- 3For Hi-Pass units, deregister the vehicle record via the Korea Expressway Corporation toll website.
- ✓Discard the unit in designated small e-waste collection bins at local community centers or apartment depots free of charge.
How to Dispose (6 Steps)
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Step 1 (Disconnect Power & Detach Units): Turn off vehicle ignition, unplug cigarette lighter power adapters or permanent fuse-box tap cables, and slide the dashcam and Hi-pass transponder out from their windshield mounting brackets.
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Step 2 (Eject MicroSD Card & Destroy Private Data): Remove the MicroSD card from the dashcam side slot; connect it to a computer to securely overwrite driving logs, audio, and GPS trip data, or physically cut through the silicon flash chip with pliers/scissors if disposing.
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Step 3 (Remove Toll Card & Deregister Hi-pass Transponder): Eject your postpaid or prepaid toll card from the Hi-pass unit. Visit the Korea Expressway Corporation toll portal (hipass.co.kr) to complete online terminal deregistration, severing vehicle plate linkage and preventing misuse.
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Step 4 (Separate Mounting Brackets & Adhesive Tapes): Strip off sticky double-sided foam tape residue from the windshield plastic bracket and discard the tape into general municipal trash; clean tape-free rigid brackets can be recycled with plastics.
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Step 5 (Deposit in Dedicated Small E-waste Collection Bins): Place the intact dashcam body, rear camera module, Hi-pass transponder, and copper power wiring into designated small e-waste collection bins located at neighborhood community centers or residential recycling hubs free of charge.
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Step 6 (Schedule Free Doorstep Pickup for 5+ Appliances): If disposing of 5 or more small electronic appliances concurrently (e.g., dashcam, old microwave, vacuum, fan) or alongside large appliances, book the nationwide Free E-Waste Pick-up Service (1599-0903) for complimentary curbside collection.
Real-World Examples
2-channel / 4-channel front and rear vehicle dashcam main units & camera modules
Rearview mirror integrated digital dashcams & smart display monitors
Hardwired RF (Radio Frequency) vehicle toll Hi-pass transponders
Solar-rechargeable or AAA battery-operated cordless IR Hi-pass units
12V/24V cigarette lighter power adapters and permanent fuse tap cables
High-endurance MicroSD / SD memory cards used in automotive recording
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Should I unscrew and dismantle the dashcam body into plastic casing, circuit boards, and camera lens?
A. No, keep the dashcam unit fully assembled and place it intact into the small e-waste collection bin. Forcing open the housing risks puncturing the lithium-polymer pouch or short-circuiting the supercapacitor, creating smoke or toxic leak hazards. Certified e-waste processing centers shred and mechanically segregate plastics, copper, and precious metals under controlled environmental safety standards.
Q. What happens if I discard a Hi-pass transponder without deregistering it first?
A. Because the unit remains electronically tied to your vehicle license plate in the national highway system, if it is salvaged or misused, automated toll charge errors or administrative penalties could mistakenly trace back to you. Always log into the Expressway Toll Portal (hipass.co.kr) or visit a toll plaza service counter to terminate registration before disposal.
Q. How can I safely remove the dashcam mount from tinted windshield glass without damaging the film?
A. Gently warm the windshield exterior or mount perimeter with a hairdryer for 1 to 2 minutes to soften the acrylic foam adhesive. Then thread a length of dental floss or fishing line behind the bracket and saw back and forth smoothly. Any gummy residue left on the glass can be dissolved safely using an alcohol wipe or citrus adhesive remover.
Q. Can I put the cigarette lighter power cord and long wiring harnesses into the small e-waste bin too?
A. Yes, power adapters, rear camera extension cables, and cigarette socket plugs contain high-grade insulated copper wire. They can be deposited together with the main electronic devices into the small e-waste collection bin or bundled neatly with scrap wire/metals on designated recycling days.