Effective September 1, 2010, many electronics are banned from Wisconsin landfills. City crews will NOT pick up, and no one may put any of the banned items in the trash. There are a variety of locations that accept different electronics. Some stores may take your old electronics if you are purchasing a new item. Many cell phone stores, for example, offer recycling programs for old phones.
City of Milwaukee residents may take approved residential electronics to our two Drop Off Centers for recycling.
Drop Off Centers will accept up to three TVs per visit with a recycling fee of $5 per TV. All other electronics listed on the Drop Off Center website are accepted free of charge.
Cell phones are not accepted at City Drop Off Centers but are accepted for recycling at partcipating drop-offs. Visit Call2Recycle's store locator to find a location near you.
Electronics are the fastest growing segment of municipal solid waste. These items have hazardous materials such as lead, chromium, and mercury. By keeping electronics out of landfills we are reducing land, air, and water pollution while also reducing the negative impact these materials can have on human health. Electronics also contain valuable materials that can be saved and recycled into new products. Reusing these materials helps conserve natural resources and reduces the pollution associated with the initial mining or extraction of those natural resources.
To learn more about electronics recycling, visit the DNR's website that provides an overview of the law as well as a wide variety of resources, including curriculum materials for schools.