Half of US states ban electronics from landfills. Here’s the full list — plus the free recycling options that exist in nearly every market.
Why electronics are banned from landfills
Electronic devices contain materials that cause environmental harm if landfilled:
See real prices in your area Skip the averages — get a real quote from a verified hauler Get free quote →- Lead in CRT television and monitor glass
- Mercury in flat-panel display backlights and circuit boards
- Cadmium in batteries and circuit components
- Brominated flame retardants in plastic housings
- Beryllium in connectors and components
- Lithium in rechargeable batteries (fire risk)
Beyond environmental harm, electronics contain valuable recoverable materials — gold, silver, copper, palladium, rare earth metals — that get lost in landfills. State e-waste laws exist to capture these materials and prevent contamination.
States with e-waste landfill bans (2026)
These states prohibit electronics in landfills (some with specific device types only):
- California: most electronics, all batteries
- Connecticut: most electronics
- Hawaii: TVs and monitors
- Illinois: most electronics
- Indiana: most electronics
- Maine: most electronics
- Maryland: most electronics
- Massachusetts: most electronics including small appliances
- Michigan: most electronics
- Minnesota: most electronics
- Missouri: TVs and monitors
- New Hampshire: most electronics
- New Jersey: most electronics
- New York: most electronics
- North Carolina: most electronics
- Oregon: most electronics
- Pennsylvania: most electronics
- Rhode Island: most electronics
- South Carolina: TVs and monitors
- Vermont: most electronics
- Washington: most electronics
- West Virginia: TVs
- Wisconsin: most electronics
- DC: most electronics
Other states have voluntary e-waste programs but no landfill bans. Even in states without bans, many haulers refuse electronics in dumpsters because of recovery value and liability.
What counts as e-waste
- Televisions (CRT, LCD, LED, plasma)
- Computer monitors
- Desktop computers, laptops, tablets
- Printers, scanners, fax machines
- Cell phones and smartphones
- Stereo equipment, speakers
- Game consoles and gaming equipment
- VCRs, DVD players, Blu-ray players
- Cameras and video equipment
- Some kitchen electronics (microwaves vary by jurisdiction)
Most states define e-waste broadly to include essentially any electronic device with a circuit board. When in doubt, treat anything plug-in or battery-powered as e-waste.
Where to dispose of e-waste for free
Best Buy
Free in-store recycling for most electronics, with some restrictions:
- Up to 3 items per household per day
- Accepts most electronics including TVs (with size limits in some states)
- Phones and small electronics: unlimited
- TVs over a certain size: fee in some states ($25-$30)
Bestbuy.com/recycle has the full list of accepted items and any state-specific fees.
Staples
Free in-store recycling for office electronics:
- Computers, printers, fax machines, monitors, networking equipment
- Up to 7 items per day
- Phones and tablets: unlimited
Doesn’t accept TVs or large appliances.
Manufacturer take-back
Most major manufacturers offer free take-back programs:
- Apple Trade In: phones, tablets, computers (sometimes pays you)
- Dell Reconnect (with Goodwill): all Dell electronics, free
- HP Recycling: all HP electronics, free with shipping label
- Samsung Recycling Direct: most Samsung electronics, free
Municipal e-waste days
Most cities offer periodic free e-waste collection events for residents. Frequency varies — quarterly to annually. Search “e-waste collection [your city]” or check your city’s sanitation department website.
Goodwill Dell Reconnect partnership
Through the Dell Reconnect program, Goodwill stores in many states accept any brand of computer equipment for free recycling.
Hard drive and data security
Before disposing of computers and storage devices, address data security:
Reset and wipe
Run factory reset on phones and tablets. Use disk wiping software (DBAN, Eraser, Apple’s secure erase) on computers. Standard delete and format don’t fully remove data.
Physical destruction
For maximum security, physically destroy hard drives. Drive a screwdriver through the drive 5-6 times in different spots, or have a recycler shred them. Best Buy and similar retailers offer hard drive shredding services for $15-$30.
Hold onto drives if uncertain
If you’re not sure your data is secure, don’t dispose of the device. Computers and phones are small enough to store while you figure out data security. Better to wait than to leak personal information.
Special cases: CRT TVs and monitors
CRT (cathode ray tube) televisions and monitors — the heavy boxy units that predated flat panels — are particularly problematic:
- Each CRT contains 2-8 lbs of lead
- Many recyclers charge fees for CRTs ($15-$50 per unit)
- Some refuse them entirely due to lead disposal costs
- Best Buy charges $25-$30 in some states for CRT recycling
If you have a working CRT, donating to thrift stores, schools, or theaters is sometimes possible. They’re rarely valuable to buyers but occasionally find homes.
If donation isn’t possible, factor recycling fees into your disposal plans. CRTs cost more to dispose of than most other electronics.
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Larger quantities of e-waste — from office cleanouts, business closures, or estate disposal — have specialty handling options:
- Certified e-waste recyclers: handle bulk quantities, often free for valuable equipment, may charge for damaged or low-value units
- ITAD (IT Asset Disposition) companies: full-service business e-waste, including data security and certified destruction
- Some manufacturers offer business pickup programs for large quantities
For office cleanouts with significant computer equipment, certified ITAD services often pay you for high-value equipment (working laptops, recent servers) and recycle the rest at no cost. Worth pursuing for any cleanout with 10+ pieces of working equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a TV in a dumpster?
In 25+ states, no — state law prohibits TVs in landfills. Even in other states, most haulers refuse TVs. Use Best Buy, municipal e-waste days, or manufacturer take-back instead.
Where can I recycle electronics for free?
Best Buy (most electronics), Staples (office electronics), municipal e-waste collection days, and manufacturer take-back programs (Apple, Dell, HP, Samsung). All free for most items.
Are CRT TVs harder to recycle than flat-panel TVs?
Yes. CRTs contain significant lead and cost more to recycle. Best Buy charges $25-$30 for CRTs in some states; flat panels are typically free.
Do I need to wipe data from electronics before disposal?
Yes. Standard delete and format don’t fully remove data. Use disk wiping software, factory resets, or physical destruction. Best Buy offers hard drive shredding for $15-$30.
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