Electronics Disposal Ban

The Ban

Wisconsin's electronics recycling law, 2009 Wisconsin Act 50, was signed into law by Governor Doyle in October 2009. The law established a collection and recycling system in Wisconsin for certain consumer electronic devices discarded by households, K-12 public schools and Milwaukee Parental Choice Program schools. This is now called the E-Cycle Wisconsin program.

The law also enacted a disposal ban that restricts landfilling or incineration of these devices as of September 1, 2010. The following electronics are covered in the ban:

• Televisions
• Computers (including desktop, laptop, netbook and tablet computers)
• Desktop printers (including those that scan, fax, or copy)
• Computer monitors
• Other computer accessories including keyboards, mice, speakers, external hard drives and flash drives
• DVD players, DVRs, VCRs and other video players
• Fax machines
• Cell phones

This ban covers everyone in the state, and applies no matter where a device was purchased or who used it. Households, schools, businesses, governments and institutions are all covered under the ban.

Instead of throwing away electronics, households, businesses and others should recycle them. Households and schools can recycle many of their electronics through E-Cycle Wisconsin. See the program website for more information and a list of collection locations across the state.

Why Recycle?

Cell phones, computers, televisions, printers and other electronics are a daily part of most of our lives. But the more electronic devices we use, the more electronics we throw away. Used electronics are the fastest growing component of the waste stream in the United States. By recycling these electronics, you help both the economy and the environment.

Toxics

Electronic devices can contain harmful chemicals, including mercury, lead, cadmium and other heavy metals, as well as chemical flame retardants. When landfilled, incinerated, illegally dumped or improperly recycled, these chemicals can pose a risk to human and environmental health.

Preserving resources

Electronics also contain valuable reusable materials including steel, gold, silver, copper and glass. Properly recycling these materials preserves natural resources for future use by reducing the need to mine new raw materials.

Nationwide context

By enacting e-cycling legislation and prohibiting the landfilling and incineration of electronics, Wisconsin is joining many other states with e-cycling legislation. Currently, 23 states [Exit DNR], covering 60 percent of the U.S. population, have passed electronics recycling legislation. Sixteen states have some form of a disposal ban for electronics.

Wisconsin's law is similar to electronics recycling laws passed in Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana. Because the laws are similar, manufacturers, collectors and recyclers in these states will be able to follow similar procedures to create economies of scale.

How to Recycle

Although throwing away most electronics is now illegal, there are many other ways to manage your unwanted electronics, including reusing or recycling them.

Reuse

If your electronics are still in good, working condition, consider donating them. Many non-profits, schools, or other organizations will accept working electronics to help others in your community. Contact your local government for more information.

Recycle

Electronics that are no longer functioning or are outdated should be recycled. Households and schools can recycle many of their electronics through the E-Cycle Wisconsin program. See the program website for more information on what devices are accepted and a list of collection locations.

The DNR has compiled a list of resources for businesses, institutions, governments and others seeking to recycle their electronics.

Changes

How is this different than before? For many years, state law has required businesses, governments, schools, colleges and universities and other groups to recycle their electronics or manage them as hazardous waste. For these groups, the landfill and incineration ban reinforces the fact that electronics must be either recycled or handled as hazardous waste.

Prior to the ban taking effect, individuals and households in Wisconsin were not required to recycle electronics. The ban makes it illegal for anyone to throw away electronic devices covered under the ban.

Facts

Facts regarding recycling in the U.S. and Wisconsin.

• According to a 2006 DNR survey, 80 percent of Wisconsin households have at least one computer, 99 percent have at least one TV, and 85 percent have at least two TVs. Using these survey results, DNR estimated that there are nearly 3.8 million computers and 7.5 million TVs in state households.
• In 2005, used or unwanted electronics amounted to approximately 1.9 to 2.2 million tons nationwide. Of that amount, only about 345,000-379,000 tons (17-18 percent) were recycled. (Source: EPA)
• In 2007, Americans threw away about 2.5 million tons of electronics, including TVs, computers, printers, scanners, faxes, keyboards and cell phones. (Source: EPA)
• Most electronics contain some level of potentially harmful substances, including lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, heavy metals and chemical flame retardants. If landfilled or incinerated, these chemicals can enter groundwater, surface water or the air, where they pose a risk to human and environmental health.
• There are more than 120 collectors and more than 300 individual electronics collection sites registered with the E-Cycle Wisconsin program.
• There are 28 electronics recyclers registered with E-Cycle Wisconsin, about half of which have recycling facilities in the state.

Quotes

Radio PSAs

The DNR is airing radio spots in English and Spanish to promote E-Cycle Wisconsin. If you are interested in using these, please contact DNRWAe-cycling@Wisconsin.gov.

• E-Cycle Wisconsin Public Service Announcement (English) 30 sec [MP3 708KB]
• E-Cycle Wisconsin Public Service Announcement (Spanish) 30 sec [MP3 720KB]