Disposal Guide:
Electronics
Electronics (e-waste) contain toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium, but also valuable resources like gold and copper. Proper disposal ensures these materials are safely extracted rather than leaching into groundwater from landfills.
Federal Law & Regulations
Understand your legal obligations under EPA guidelines.
Currently, there is no comprehensive federal law in the United States mandating the recycling of electronic waste. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) does regulate the disposal of toxic waste, which covers some commercial e-waste, but household e-waste is largely exempt from federal regulation. As a result, e-waste management is governed by a patchwork of state laws. Currently, 25 states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation establishing statewide e-waste recycling programs, many of which use an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model where manufacturers must fund recycling efforts.
National Take-Back Programs
Industry-sponsored recycling and stewardship initiatives.
Several major retailers and manufacturers offer national take-back programs. Best Buy allows customers to drop off up to three electronics per day per household at most stores, regardless of where they were purchased. Staples and Office Depot offer similar recycling services for office technology. Additionally, Apple, Dell, and HP have mail-in programs or in-store drop-offs for their branded products. Network carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile frequently accept old phones for recycling or trade-in credit.
Generally Accepted Items
A baseline of materials typically accepted by specialized facilities.
Find Facilities Near You
1. AK
State Directory
Browse our comprehensive directory of verified electronics recycling centers, household hazardous waste events, and local drop-off locations across AK.
2. AL
State Directory
Browse our comprehensive directory of verified electronics recycling centers, household hazardous waste events, and local drop-off locations across AL.
3. AR
State Directory
Browse our comprehensive directory of verified electronics recycling centers, household hazardous waste events, and local drop-off locations across AR.
4. AS
State Directory
Browse our comprehensive directory of verified electronics recycling centers, household hazardous waste events, and local drop-off locations across AS.
5. AZ
State Directory
Browse our comprehensive directory of verified electronics recycling centers, household hazardous waste events, and local drop-off locations across AZ.
6. CA
State Directory
Browse our comprehensive directory of verified electronics recycling centers, household hazardous waste events, and local drop-off locations across CA.