E-Cycle Wisconsin
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| Many electronics can no longer be put in the trash in Wisconsin and must be reused, recycled or managed as hazardous waste. The information below will help you prepare your electronics for reuse or recycling, choose a recycler, and find an electronics collection site or contact a recycler for larger volumes of e-waste. |
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| Preparing electronics for reuse or recycling |
| Make a list of the electronics you would like to get rid of and their age and condition. Think about when you would like to get rid of the electronics and whether you will be able to transport them yourself or need to have them picked up. If computers or other electronics are in good working condition, you may be able to donate them to a school, nonprofit or other organization. Call any organization first to make sure the equipment would be useful to them. If your electronics are broken or obsolete and cannot be reused, recycle them. |
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| Destroying data |
| Before recycling or reusing electronics, make sure personal, financial or other sensitive data are erased from the equipment. Many recyclers have a system for erasing data. You can also find free or inexpensive software to “wipe” your hard drive. Just deleting files will not clear them off of your computer. Ask a computer software retailer for more information. |
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| Choosing a recycler |
| Not all recyclers take all types of electronics and some recyclers are more responsible than others. It is up to you to choose a legitimate recycler that meets your needs. For individuals with a few electronics to recycle, the easiest option may be to take your items to a registered E-Cycle Wisconsin collection site. Before taking your electronics to a collection site or recycler, find out what they recycle, who they accept electronics from, what they charge to recycle various items, if they offer pick-up service and how they destroy data. When you are recycling a large volume of electronics, it’s a good idea to talk with at least two or three recyclers to get a sense of your options. |
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| Find an electronics collection site or recycler |
| Electronics from Wisconsin households, K-12 public schools and Milwaukee Parental Choice Program schools may be recycled through E-Cycle Wisconsin. Some of the collectors and recyclers registered under E-Cycle Wisconsin may also accept electronics from businesses, colleges and universities, and others not part of E-Cycle Wisconsin. Some electronics, such as cell phones, are often recycled at retail stores, and some electronics manufacturers offer mail-back programs for old their brands of electronics. If a retailer or mail-back program is not available, use the links below to find an electronics recycler in your area.. |
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| Find an environmentally responsible recycler |
| Many electronics contain harmful materials, and it’s important to make sure recyclers are handling electronics properly to ensure worker safety. It’s also important to make sure a recycler is sending electronic components on to responsible “downstream” processors to minimize any chance to environmental pollution. When choosing a recycler, consider asking the following questions: What do you do with the electronics you collect, what steps do you take to ensure worker safety and what do you do to make sure hazardous electronic parts are not landfilled or incinerated in the United States or overseas? Registered E-Cycle Wisconsin recyclers meet a set of environmental standards set by the DNR. |
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| Electronics to recycle |
| items should be reused, donated or recycled. · Televisions · Computers (desktop, laptop, netbook and tablet computers) · Desktop printers (including those that scan, fax and/or copy) · Computer monitors · Other computer accessories (including mice, keyboards and speakers) · DVD players, VCRs and DVRs · Fax machines · Cell phones · Major appliances, including air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ovens, dehumidifiers, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and microwave ovens Many other types of electronics can also be recycled, especially items like stereo equipment, mp3 players, digital cameras and other hand-held devices. Check with your electronics recycler or collection site for a full list of what they accept. Some websites or stores may also offer small amounts of money if you trade in newer gadgets, like digital cameras smartphones and iPods. State law prohibits businesses or institutions from disposing of any electronics that contain hazardous materials in municipal solid waste landfills or incinerators. If businesses and institutions do not recycle electronic equipment, they are subject to state solid and hazardous waste management rules and may require licenses from the DNR for transportation and treatment, storage or disposal of the equipment. |
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| Why recycle electronics |
| The demand for new tablet computers, cell phones, laptops and flat screen TVs is driving a significant electronic waste, or ewaste, problem. E-waste is one of the fastest growing parts of municipal solid waste worldwide. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study estimated that about 2.37 million tons of TVs, cell phones and computer products were ready for recycling, reuse or disposal in 2009. Of these electronics, only about 25 percent (by weight) were collected for recycling. Most were thrown away, primarily in landfills. Electronics contain valuable reusable materials including plastics, metals and glass. Recycling or reusing these materials lessens environmental impacts and economic costs by reducing the need for virgin materials in new products. Many electronics also contain harmful materials, including lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, other heavy metals and chemical flame retardants. When improperly disposed of, these chemicals can pollute our soil and water and harm human health. Improperly handled e-waste may also pose health risks to workers in the United States and in developing countries. |
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| For a complete list of collection sites, please visit http://dnr.wi.gov/ecyclewisconsin and type LIST OF COLLECTION SITES in the search engine. Please call ahead for fees, hours of operation and information on what each facility accepts for collection. Please visit their websites or call them directly for more information. Some collection sites are listed below. |