How to Properly Dispose of Electronics

Electronic items contain hazardous materials including cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel. These materials can endanger human health or the environment if disposed of improperly. Although the Environmental Protection Agency supports disposing of electronics in properly managed municipal solid waste facilities, the agency has created a program called eCycling to educate the public about how to recycle and reuse electronics to increase the amount of recovered materials while reducing environmental impacts and energy use from manufacturing and mining operations.

Instructions

• 1

  Gather the electronic items you wish to dispose of or donate.

• 2

  Consult the EPA website to find an organization in your area accepting donations or conducting a recycling program. It lists regional, local and manufacturer-specific programs.

• 3

  Visit the website of the organization you want to use to learn the drop-off location or where to mail the item, as well as packaging instructions, if they apply.

• 4

  Package the electronic items according to the organization's directions.

• 5

  Mail or drop off the electronics items.