Waste & Materials Management

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Managing Used or Discarded Electronics

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Managing Used or Discarded Electronics

Digital TV

Get more information about the switch from analog to digital broadcast television scheduled for February 17, 2009, including which televisions will be affected and how to get a converter box.

This page serves as a starting point for anyone looking for information on how to properly manage used and discarded electronics (often call e-scrap or e-waste).

Whenever possible individuals, businesses and institutions should recycle electronics. By law, businesses and institutions must either recycle their discarded electronics or determine whether they are hazardous waste and manage them accordingly. Numerous recycling services in Wisconsin collect, transport, refurbish, store and process discarded electronics.

Why Is it Important to Properly Manage Discarded Electronics?

Discarded electronics outside of Alaba, Lagos. 2005
Discarded electronics dumped and routinely burned in residential area outside of a market in Nigeria.
Photo: Basel Action Network 2005

Computers, computer accessories, TVs, cell phones and other electronics pose a potential risk to the environment and human health if disposed of in a landfill, incinerated or illegally dumped. This is primarily because of the lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, other heavy metals and chemical flame retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) contained in the components of almost all electronics. These metals and toxic chemicals could pollute groundwater, surface water or the air when electronics are burned or, if they are buried in landfills, when landfill leachate is collected for treatment and the residual effluents are released into surface water or spread on land. Improperly handled discarded electronics may also pose health risks to workers from companies that manage the electronics.

This risk is heightened due to the increasing number of electronics in our society and the short lifespans of many electronics due to changes in technology and consumer preferences.

An April 2007 study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [exit DNR] estimated that, in 2005, between 250 and 350 million computers, monitors, TVs, cell phones and computer peripherals in the United States were obsolete and ready for recycling, reuse or disposal-a number that has been increasing steadily. The same study estimated that, between 2003 and 2005, only about 11 percent (by weight) of these electronic products were recycled, while approximately 44 percent were disposed of in landfills or incinerators and 45 percent were put into storage or reuse.

A 2006 DNR household recycling survey found that Wisconsin households own approximately 3.8 million computers, 7.5 million TVs and 3.5 million cell phones (these figures don't include the millions of electronics found in businesses and institutions around the state).

It is also important to recycle electronics because of the valuable metals and petroleum-based products (plastics) they contain. Recycling or reusing these materials reduces environmental impacts and economic costs by reducing the need for virgin materials in new electronics.

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What Should I or My Business Do With Obsolete, Unwanted or Broken Electronics?

Household elecontronics drop-off day
Residents recycle computers & other electronic equipment at household electronics drop-off day in Madison.

The good news is that a growing number of businesses and nonprofit organizations collect, demanufacture, process and refurbish or recycle electronic equipment. Recycling electronic equipment conserves valuable resources and provides jobs while protecting the environment and human health. It is important, however, to do your homework and make sure your electronics are handled by legitimate recyclers who take care to properly handle, store, process and recycle or dispose of electronics.

Get more information on issues to consider before selecting an electronics recycler.

Get more information on how to recycle your used electronics, questions to ask recyclers and resources for electronics recycling.

Get more information about the switch from analog to digital broadcast television scheduled for February 17, 2009, including which televisions will be affected and how to get a converter box.

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How Do I Start or Properly Manage an Electronics Recycling Business in Wisconsin?

In general, Wisconsin has reduced some regulations for businesses managing computers and other discarded electronics in order to encourage recycling while ensuring proper environmental management. Businesses must follow guidelines on best management practices for handling the electronics or risk stricter regulation under Wisconsin's hazardous waste laws.

Requirements and guidelines differ depending on the part of the process with which a business is involved. For example, the requirements are different for a hauler that transports electronics and a business that processes electronic components to recover lead or other metals.

Get more information on requirements and recommendations for businesses involved with electronics recycling.

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General Publications and Other Resources

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Last Revised: Tuesday March 11 2008