Computers, TVs and Other Electronics

Material Description

This page contains information for consumers and businesses on how to handle used or discarded electronics, including information on finding a recycler in your area.

A wide variety of electronics can be recycled, including: cell phones, TVs and accessories, and computers and computer peripherals--monitors, printers, keyboards, modems, mice and storage drives. Some non-electronic components and accessories, such as toner cartridges, can also be recycled or reused.

Environmental Impacts

Each year, millions of computers and other electronics become obsolete and are stored in warehouses, attics and closets. Only a small percentage of discarded electronics are recycled. If electronics are landfilled, burned or illegally dumped, chemicals within them--including lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, other heavy metals and chemical flame retardants--can be released into the environment, where they may affect human and environmental health. All of these materials have potentially toxic effects on humans and other organisms.

Too Valuable to Waste

Computers and other electronic equipment can be recovered for repair, resold or recycled for the valuable metals and reusable electronic components they contain. Recovering materials from electronics involves the cost of responsibly handling the hazardous materials discussed above.

Legal Requirements

Individuals and Households

Beginning Sept. 1, 2010, Wisconsin's electronics law will ban household electronics, including computers, TVs, desktop printers and other covered materials from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators.

Under the law, manufacturers will be responsible for collecting and recycling covered electronics from households and K-12 public schools. Manufacturers will begin collecting electronics in January 2010. Until then, residents can use the links below to find recycling locations in their areas. Contact your DNR regional recycling staff if you need help finding information on your local recycling program. For more information on Wisconsin's electronics recycling law, see the DNR media kit on this topic.

Businesses and Institutions

State law prohibits businesses or institutions from disposing of computers and other electronics that contain hazardous materials in municipal solid waste landfills or incinerators. Businesses and institutions should recycle electronics whenever possible. 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. For more information see Managing Unwanted Electronics and Component Parts [PDF 163KB].

Preferred Handling Option: Recycle or Reuse!

If you have electronics you are no longer using, the best option is to reuse or recycle them. Find out more about issues to consider when looking for recycling or reuse options in your area. Use the links below to find recyclers in your area, and determine which recycler is right for you and practices environmentally sound electronics recycling.

Key questions to ask electronics recyclers

What electronics does the recycler accept?
What fees (if any) does the recycler charge, and for what types of equipment?
Does the recycler offer pick-up service, or do you have to drop items off yourself?
What does the recycler do with electronics it collects (e.g., send them to another company for demanufacturing/processing, process in-house, refurbish and donate, etc.)?
What steps does the recycler take to make sure materials with hazardous components are not landfilled, incinerated, or improperly disposed of (e.g., illegally dumped) in the United States or overseas?
What steps does the recycler take to ensure worker safety?
Will the recycler provide a certificate of recycling/proper disposal?
What steps does the recycler take to destroy personal data and ensure the security of personal and financial information?

For more information on questions to ask recyclers, particularly for businesses and institutions with large volumes of equipment, see DNR's Checklist: Selecting an Electronics Recycling Service Provider, WA615 [PDF 109KB].

To find a recycler in your area:

Once Wisconsin's electronics recycling law is fully implemented, you will be able to recycle electronics conveniently throughout the state. Once the law is in place, the DNR will provide lists of recyclers and collectors registered under the state's e-cycling program. Until then, the following suggestions will help you find a recycler in your area:

Contact your municipal recycling program [PDF 84KB] to find out if they provide for collection of computers. (Contact your DNR regional recycling staff if you need help finding information on your local recycling program.) Many county Web sites [exit DNR] may also contain more information on recycling.
Ask your retailer or product manufacturer if they will take back your electronics for recycling. There are a growing number of these programs, though the types and brands of equipment they will accept vary.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has information and links to find electronics recyclers [exit DNR].
The Wisconsin Recycling Markets Directory [exit DNR] contains listings for some electronics recyclers.
myGreenElectronics [exit DNR] is a site from the Consumer Electronics Association that allows consumers to search for electronics recyclers by location and product type.
Earth911 [exit DNR] has resources for electronics recycling, including a search function that lets you find recyclers in your area.
Computers that are still usable can be donated to a school or non-profit group, or check the Yellow Pages™ listings for "Computers: Sales and Service" to sell or give your computer to a repair or resale business. Keep in mind the important questions to ask to make sure your equipment will be handled properly.

Publications and Other Resources

Contact Information

For questions and comments about handling computers, TVs and other electronics, please contact:

DNR Waste Materials@Wisconsin.gov

Last Revised: Tuesday October 27 2009