E-Waste Recycling & Disposal: How to Get Rid of Old Electronics (2026)

E-waste (electronic waste) includes any discarded device with a circuit board, battery, or power cord. The EPA classifies e-waste into 10 categories, but for most households it comes down to these common items:

• **TVs and monitors** — CRT, LCD, LED, plasma (often have the strictest disposal rules) • **Computers** — desktops, laptops, tablets, servers • **Phones** — smartphones, landline phones, chargers • **Printers and scanners** — inkjet, laser, multifunction • **Small electronics** — cables, keyboards, mice, routers, modems, gaming consoles • **Large electronics** — copiers, large monitors, server racks

Appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers are typically classified separately as large household appliances, not e-waste. California's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) classifies e-waste as "Universal Waste Electronic Devices" (UWEDs) — devices containing hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and lithium that require special handling.

Your best option depends on the item type, how fast you need it gone, and whether you're willing to drive somewhere. Here's how every method compares:

Free options exist but come with effort and limitations. Here's the real cost breakdown:

**Free options:** • Best Buy accepts most electronics at no charge. Limit: 3 items per household per day. TVs and monitors over 32 inches cost $25 each. You drive items to the store and drop them at the recycling station inside. • Staples accepts computers, phones, tablets, and ink cartridges for free. Walk them to the customer service desk. • Apple, Dell, and HP offer free mail-in recycling for their own products. Apple also accepts trade-ins for store credit. • Many cities run free e-waste collection events monthly or quarterly — check your city's public works website.

**Paid options:** • Dropcurb: $79 pickup fee + $20 e-waste recycling surcharge = $99 for your first item. Additional electronics are $19 + $20 recycling fee ($39 each). You leave items at the curb, Dropcurb picks them up same day. • 1-800-GOT-JUNK: Average job cost is $240 (source: MovebuddHA). Pricing is volume-based — half truckload runs $400–$600, full truckload $700–$1,000 (source: HomeGuide). E-waste surcharges may apply on top. • LoadUp: Recycling fees range $15–$100 per item depending on the device and state. Claims 20–30% lower pricing than competitors.

**California note:** California charges a $4–$6 recycling fee on covered electronic devices (CEDs) at the time of purchase. This fee funds approved recyclers statewide, making drop-off free for consumers at certified collection sites.

As of 2025, 25 states plus the District of Columbia have passed e-waste legislation. If you live in one of these states, throwing electronics in the regular trash may be illegal and could result in fines.

States with e-waste laws include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin — plus DC.

Key differences between state programs: • **California** has the strictest rules — a recycling fee ($4–$6) is charged at purchase, and the state bans exporting e-waste unless no in-state recycler can handle it. DTSC violations carry fines up to $70,000. • **Washington** runs the E-Cycle WA program: free drop-off for computers, monitors, TVs, and laptops at participating retailers and collection sites. • **States without laws** (e.g., Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee) have no statewide e-waste requirements, but individual cities may have their own rules.

Source: Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse (ecycleclearinghouse.org) and ERI Direct (eridirect.com).

In 25 states plus DC, no — it's illegal to throw certain electronics in household trash. Even in states without laws, it's a bad idea. Electronics contain hazardous materials:

• **Lead** — CRT monitors and TVs contain 4–8 pounds of lead each • **Mercury** — found in LCD backlights, switches, and relays • **Cadmium** — in rechargeable batteries and semiconductor chips • **Lithium** — in rechargeable batteries (fire risk in landfills and garbage trucks) • **Brominated flame retardants** — in plastic casings and circuit boards

When e-waste ends up in landfills, these materials can leach into soil and groundwater. Lithium batteries are especially dangerous — they're a leading cause of garbage truck fires and landfill fires nationwide.

Bottom line: recycle electronics properly. The free options (Best Buy, Staples, manufacturer take-back, municipal events) make it easy. If you can't drive items yourself, Dropcurb picks up e-waste curbside starting at $99.

Before dropping off or scheduling a pickup, take these steps:

1. **Back up your data** — transfer files from computers, phones, and tablets before recycling. 2. **Factory reset all devices** — phones, tablets, laptops, smart speakers, and any device that stores personal data. Most certified recyclers will destroy storage media, but a factory reset adds a layer of protection. 3. **Remove batteries if possible** — loose lithium batteries should be taped at the terminals and recycled separately. Best Buy and many hardware stores accept batteries. 4. **Remove SIM and SD cards** — check phones and tablets before recycling. 5. **Gather cables and accessories** — most recyclers accept chargers, cables, and peripherals alongside devices. 6. **Check for trade-in value** — Apple, Samsung, Google, and Best Buy offer trade-in credit. A 3-year-old iPhone might be worth $50–$200. Check before recycling.

For curbside pickup with Dropcurb: place electronics at the curb in a box or bin. Label fragile items. Our haulers ensure all e-waste goes to R2- or e-Stewards-certified recycling facilities.

At certified e-waste facilities, electronics go through a multi-step process:

1. **Sorting** — devices are categorized by type (CRT, flat panel, computing, mobile) 2. **Data destruction** — hard drives, SSDs, and storage media are physically shredded or degaussed 3. **Disassembly** — devices are manually or mechanically broken down into components 4. **Material recovery** — circuit boards are processed to recover gold, silver, copper, and palladium. Screens are separated for glass and lead processing. Plastics are shredded and recycled. 5. **Hazardous material handling** — lead, mercury, and cadmium are captured and disposed of according to EPA regulations

The Global E-Waste Monitor 2024 estimates that e-waste contains $26 billion worth of recoverable materials worldwide. Proper recycling captures these materials; landfilling loses them permanently.

Look for recyclers certified under **R2** (Responsible Recycling) or **e-Stewards** standards. These certifications ensure facilities meet environmental and data security requirements. Dropcurb partners exclusively with R2- and e-Stewards-certified facilities.