Managing Used or Discarded Electronics

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E-cycling Public Meetings

The DNR will host conference calls to provide information on Wisconsin's electronics recycling law. Learn more and register today!.

Whenever possible, individuals, businesses and institutions should recycle electronics. Recycling keeps harmful materials out of our environment, preserves natural resources for reuse and contributes to the state's economy.

Beginning in January 2010, a new law will require manufacturers to collect and recycle certain electronics, including computers, TVs and printers, from Wisconsin households and K-12 public schools. The law will also include a ban on landfill disposal or incineration of certain electronics beginning September 1, 2010. For more information on Wisconsin's electronics recycling law, see the DNR media kit on this topic.

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 contain harmful materials including lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, other heavy metals and chemical flame retardants. When landfilled, incinerated or illegally dumped, these chemicals can leach into the environment, where they may affect human and environmental health. Improperly handled discarded electronics may also pose health risks to workers from companies that manage the electronics.

It is also important to recycle electronics because of the valuable reusable materials they contain, including plastics, metals, circuit boards and others. Recycling or reusing these materials reduces environmental impacts and economic costs by reducing the need for virgin materials in new electronics.

A 2007 study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [exit DNR] estimated that, in 2007, about 2.25 million tons of TVs, cell phones and computer products were obsolete and ready for recycling, reuse or disposal. Of these electronics, only about 18 percent (by weight) were collected for recycling, while most were disposed of, primarily in landfills.

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).

Electronic waste is increasing, and it is important that it be managed properly--to protect our environment, to preserve important natural resources and to boost our state economy.

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

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

You should reuse or recycle obsolete, unwanted, or broken electronics whenever possible. Under Wisconsin law, businesses and institutions must either recycle their electronics or manage them as hazardous waste. Starting Sept. 1, 2010, Wisconsin's electronics recycling law will ban many electronic devices, including printers, TVs and computers, from disposal in Wisconsin landfills or incinerators. After that date, households will also be required to recycle these devices.

Starting in January 2010, manufacturers will be responsible for the collection and recycling of electronics from households and K-12 public schools across Wisconsin. Wisconsin's electronics recycling law is expected to provide residents and schools with more convenient recycling locations across the state, reduce pollution from improper disposal of electronics and encourage an expansion of the recycling industry within Wisconsin.

There are a number of electronics recycling options, and there will soon be more as the electronics recycling law goes into effect. When looking for recyclers, it is important 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 all materials.

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

Wisconsin has conditionally 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 electronics or risk stricter regulation under Wisconsin's hazardous waste laws.

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

Information for businesses that collect, store, transport, recycle and refurbish electronic equipment.

General Publications and Other Resources

Contact Information

For questions and comments about Managing Used or Discarded Electronics, please contact:

DNR Waste Materials@Wisconsin.gov

Last Revised: Thursday November 12 2009