Issues to Consider for Used Electronics Recycling or Reuse

The Department of Natural Resources encourages individuals, businesses and institutions to recycle computers and computer accessories, cell phones, TVs, and other electronic equipment whenever possible. For businesses and institutions, discarded electronics must either be recycled or handled as a hazardous waste. Below are some issues to consider when starting a search for recycling and reuse options in your area.

• What types of electronics do you have?

  Not all recyclers will take all types of electronics. Some equipment, such as cell phones, can often be recycled at retail stores, and some electronics manufacturers are starting to offer take-back programs for old equipment. If you have several different electronics to recycle, you may want to look for a recycler that will take a wide range of equipment. For more help on finding an electronics recycler, visit the Computers and Other Electronics page.

• What condition are the electronics in--broken, obsolete, working but no longer needed, etc.?

  If computers or other electronics are in good working condition, you may be able to donate them to a school, non-profit or other organization. Be sure to check with the school or organization to make sure the equipment will be useful to them. If electronic equipment is broken or obsolete and cannot be reused, it can still be recycled.

• Are you recycling household electronics, electronics used in a home office, or electronics from a business or institution?

  Different recyclers may specialize in serving different types of customers. Some may work primarily with businesses and institutions seeking to recycle a high volume of equipment, while others may accept individual computers, TVs and other electronics from households. Be aware that there are also different requirements for managing discarded electronics for households, home offices, businesses and institutions. For more information, visit the DNR's page on handling discarded electronics.

• What will it cost to recycle used electronics?

  For a household, fees should be minimal. Depending on the equipment's age, resale value, scrap value and cost of recycling, current fees typically range from no charge to $25 or more. And, depending on the equipment and the recycler, there may be rebates if the material can be resold.

• What recycling and reuse options are available in your area?

  Currently, recycling options vary widely by location, especially outside of large metropolitan areas. Contact your municipal recycling program for more information on recycling options in your area. (Contact your DNR regional recycling staff if you need help finding information on your local recycling program.) You can also visit the Wisconsin Recycling Markets Directory under electronics, then select "whole computers and peripherals," or by a specific computer component. (Note: the DNR does not endorse these recyclers for environmental compliance.)

• What is your timeline for disposal?

  Sometimes the easiest recycling option, especially for households, is a local "clean sweep" or electronics collection day, which may take place only once or twice a year.

• What personal information or other data are stored on your electronics?

  For computers in particular, making sure any personal, financial or other sensitive data are erased is an important concern. Make sure your recycler has a good system in place for erasing this data. You can also find free or inexpensive software to "wipe" your hard drive (just deleting files won't protect you)-ask at a computer software retailer for more information.

Get more information on electronics recycling on our "How Do I Handle My Waste?" page.