TVs, computers, and electronics
Do not put televisions, computers, or electronics in your trash cart or on the curb. You must take these items to a drop-off site or a private electronics recycler.
You can only use our electronics recycling if you live (or own property) in the City of Madison.
We do not provide electronics recycling for businesses.
Recycling Fees
Recycling fees for electronics are temporarily stopped for 2024. We do not know yet if fees will restart in 2025.
Our contracted recycler is working with Samsung to cover recycling costs in 2024. This allowed us to temporarily stop the recycling fees for electronics.
Fees for Improper Disposal
If you put a computer or television on the curb, City staff may remove it and charge you a $30 fee.
If the TV or computer is broken, we will remove it immediately because it is a safety hazard. If it is not broken, we will give you a warning before we remove it and charge you a fee.
Data Destruction and Security
Electronics are recycled by Universal Recycling Technologies at their facility in Janesville, WI.
URT holds many certifications for secure data destruction and handling when recycling your electronics.
Types of Electronics
Drop-off Only
You must bring your electronics a drop-off site or a private recycler.
Do not put them in your tan trash cart or on the curb for pickup.
These items must be recycled by state law and local regulations.
- Computers: Desktops, laptops, netbooks, e-readers, and tablets
- Computer accessories: Monitors, keyboards, mice, web cameras, speakers, flash drives, external hard drives, etc.
- Phones: Cell phones, smart phones, and phones with video displays
- Printers, scanners, fax machines, copy machines, etc.
- Televisions (TVs)
- Video players: DVD players, Blu-ray players, VCRs, etc.
Other Recyclable Electronics
Bring these items to a drop-off site for recycling. (You can also put them in your tan trash cart, but we encourage you to recycle them at a drop-off site.)
- Gaming systems and accessories: Controllers, cartridges, handheld consoles, etc.
- Cell phone accessories: Headphones, earbuds, selfie sticks, etc.
- Cords: Cables, chargers, extension cords, etc.
- Stereos and stereo components
- MP3 players
- Landline phones
- Cameras
- Floppy discs
How do I dispose of…
Look up how to dispose of your item on our lookup app: