How to dispose of electronics
Start with your city: most cities take electronics through hazardous waste and drop-off sites. Choose your city below to jump to its rules, or read the options that apply anywhere.
Your city’s rules for electronics
| Hazardous? | Sometimes. Contain batteries and, in some cases, hazardous components (CRTs, mercury lamps); lithium-ion devices must not go in trash/recycling bins. (epa.gov) |
|---|
Ways to get rid of electronics
State or industry recycling program
State programs, e.g., California CEW program / eRecycle directory. (calrecycle.ca.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Retailer take-back
Manufacturer and retailer take-back programs. (epa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Retailer take-back
Lowe's recycling center accepts cellphones. (corporate.lowes.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Donation
Donate working computers/tablets (e.g., to schools). (epa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Rules to know
State programs and laws
| State | Program or law | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California | Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program; SB 1215 adds battery-embedded products from Jan 1, 2026 | calrecycle.ca.gov |
| Washington | E-Cycle Washington (TVs, computers, monitors, laptops, tablets, e-readers, portable DVD players free) | ecology.wa.gov |
| Arkansas | DEQ e-Waste Competitive Grant Program funds collection/recycling of electronic waste; DEQ advises residents to contact their regional solid waste management district for e-waste recycling or collection events (no consumer disposal ban found). | adeq.state.ar.us |
| Colorado | Electronic Recycling Jobs Act (SB 12-133): disposal of electronics (TVs, computers, monitors, peripherals, printers, laptops, tablets, DVD players, etc.) in landfills/trash illegal since July 1, 2013. | denvergov.org |
| Connecticut | Household covered electronic devices (TVs, computers, monitors, printers) banned from disposal at CT solid waste facilities since Jan 1, 2011. | portal.ct.gov |
| Connecticut | Manufacturer-funded e-waste program: residents recycle TVs, computers, monitors and printers (and certain tablets/e-readers/phones with >4 inch display) free at municipally designated collection points. | portal.ct.gov |
| Delaware | No statewide e-waste law found; the Delaware Solid Waste Authority accepts electronics at several locations and collection events. | dnrec.delaware.gov |
| District of Columbia | Covered electronic equipment (computers, tablets/e-readers >6 in., monitors, TVs, printers, DVD players, VCRs, game consoles, keyboards & mice) is banned from the trash. | doee.dc.gov |
| District of Columbia | eCYCLE DC: manufacturers of covered electronics sold in DC must provide recycling opportunities (mail-back, drop-off, events); DPW also accepts electronics at HHW events. | doee.dc.gov |
| Hawaii | Electronic Device Recycling and Recovery Law covers computers, printers, monitors, portable computers (>4 in. screen) and TVs (9 in.+). | health.hawaii.gov |
| Illinois | Consumer Electronics Recycling Act: illegal to put covered electronics (computers, monitors, TVs, printers/fax/scanners, keyboards/mice, DVD players/VCRs, cable/satellite boxes, game consoles, music players) in the trash; manufacturers fund statewide collection. | epa.illinois.gov |
| Indiana | Indiana E-Cycle (IC 13-20.5, since 2009): manufacturer-funded collection of video display devices; households, small businesses and schools may not put TVs, monitors, computers, e-readers, fax machines, peripherals/printers, DVD players, digital frames/media players, MP3 players, cameras, DVR/cable/satellite boxes or GPS units in trash bound for landfill or incineration. | in.gov |
| Maine | Manufacturer-funded e-waste stewardship program for TVs, monitors, laptops, tablets, printers, game consoles etc. for households, schools, small businesses; municipalities provide collection sites (some charge a small fee). CRTs and LCD screens may not be thrown away. | maine.gov |
| Maryland | Statewide electronics recycling program: manufacturers of covered electronic devices must label devices and register (and pay a fee, if applicable) with MDE before selling in Maryland. | mgaleg.maryland.gov |
| Massachusetts | Cathode ray tubes (CRT TVs/monitors) are banned from disposal. | recyclesmartma.org |
| Minnesota | Since July 1, 2006, electronic products containing a cathode-ray tube (CRT TVs/monitors) may not be placed in the trash. | revisor.mn.gov |
| Mississippi | No consumer e-waste law/landfill ban; MDEQ runs an informational e-waste program. State law (Miss. Code 49-2-101 et seq.) only requires state agencies to use certified electronics recyclers. | mdeq.ms.gov |
| Missouri | No landfill ban for households: residential electronics may legally go in the trash (recycling recommended). Businesses, schools, non-profits and government agencies cannot landfill certain electronics. | dnr.mo.gov |
| Montana | None: Montana has no law requiring electronics recycling or banning electronics from landfills. | deq.mt.gov |
| New York | Electronic waste disposal ban (ECL 27-2611): since January 1, 2015 no individual or household may put electronic waste in the trash or a solid waste facility; manufacturers must provide free e-waste recycling under the Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act. | nysenate.gov |
| North Carolina | Computer equipment and televisions are banned from landfill disposal. | deq.nc.gov |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act (27A O.S. § 2-11-601 et seq.): manufacturers must offer a take-back program for consumers' desktop/notebook computers and computer monitors. No landfill ban on electronics found. | oklahoma.gov |
| Pennsylvania | Covered Device Recycling Act (Act 108 of 2010): manufacturers must provide recycling programs for desktop and laptop computers, tablets, monitors, peripherals and TVs sold to PA consumers; DEP publishes CDRA collection sites. Unregistered brands may not be sold. | pa.gov |
| Rhode Island | Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.10, computers (monitors, towers, laptops, tablets) and TVs are banned from landfill disposal and manufacturers must fund their recycling; RIRRC recycles them free for RI households and K-12 schools (peripherals not accepted). | rirrc.org |
| South Carolina | Consumers must not knowingly put covered devices (computers, computer monitors, TVs) in waste destined for a solid waste landfill (SC Code 48-60-90, since July 1, 2011); manufacturers fund an electronic waste program. Chapter is marked effective until December 31, 2029. | scstatehouse.gov |
| Texas | Manufacturer take-back law: TV and computer-equipment manufacturers must offer consumers recycling (Computer Recycling and TV Recycling programs; free computer recycling via TexasRecyclesComputers.org). No landfill ban on electronics found. | tceq.texas.gov |
| Vermont | Vermont E-Cycles: free, manufacturer-funded recycling of computers, monitors, TVs, printers and computer accessories for residents, charities, schools and small businesses; electronics are banned from the landfill. | dec.vermont.gov |
| West Virginia | Covered Electronic Devices takeback law (SB 746, 2008): manufacturers must register with WVDEP and have a takeback/recycling program free to the public; fees fund CED recycling grants to counties/municipalities. HB 4540 removed the statewide landfill ban on covered electronics, letting county/regional solid waste authorities impose bans locally. | dep.wv.gov |
| Wisconsin | E-Cycle Wisconsin: TVs, computers (incl. tablets), desktop printers, monitors, computer accessories and similar devices can't go in the trash or to WI landfills/incinerators; household electronics may be recycled through E-Cycle Wisconsin registered collectors. | dnr.wisconsin.gov |
Cautions
- Use certified electronics recyclers (EPA).
Related guides
All disposal guidesChecked October 30, 2026 against federal, state and program pages. Local rules come first: your city’s page shows its own pickup and drop-off rules.