August Moving Days: Free Electronics & Battery Recycling
If you are a City of Madison resident, your personal electronics and batteries are accepted for free at the Streets Division drop-off sites.
Free electronics and battery recycling is not just for the August moving days. This is true all year-round.
Free electronics recycling includes televisions, printers, computers, modems, phones, cords, blu-ray players, cameras, and all other electronic devices.
Never place your electronics in the recycling or trash carts. Do not put them on the terrace for pickup.
If the drop-off site hours are not convenient with your work or school schedule, or if you are ineligible to use the drop-off sites, then take your electronics to a reputable private electronics recycler in the area.
Recycle Electronics and Batteries at the Drop-off Site for Free
Televisions, computers, printers, cell phones, modems, routers, and many other common electronics are banned from landfills in Wisconsin.
Do not place these items into the trash or recycling carts. Putting electronics in collection carts can lead to fires.
Do not set them out on the terrace for curbside pickup. Placing electronics on the curb for pickup is against City of Madison ordinance. If you do this, it can lead to fines or a special assessment.
These items are accepted at the drop-off sites for recycling for free from City of Madison residents.
Household batteries are also accepted for free at the drop-off sites. Batteries can also be a fire hazard when disposed of incorrectly. Visit the Streets Division's battery recycling website to learn how to identify what kind of batteries you have and the right way to package them before bringing them to a recycler.
Recycling Electronics is More than Computers and Cell Phones
Many other electronic items like Christmas tree lights, charging cables, box fans, vacuums, kitchen appliances, hair dryers, and so on can be recycled at the drop-off sites.
For details about the City's electronics recycling, go to our e-cycling website.
Drop-off Sites Information
Residents can bring one load of items accepted at the drop-off site per day.
The single load cannot be larger than what would fit into a standard pick-up truck bed or small single-axle trailer. Loads larger than those guidelines will be denied access.
Drop-off sites are for City of Madison residents and taxpayers only. Contractors may not use these facilities.
You must provide proof you are a City of Madison resident to use the sites. Many individuals show their driver's license, but other official documents like utility bills or rental agreements also work.
Check the drop-off site website to be sure you know the location of the sites and their hours before loading your vehicle.
Businesses Cannot Use the Streets Division Drop-off Sites for Electronics Recycling
Since the City of Madison is part of the Wisconsin DNR e-Cycle program, businesses cannot use City services for electronics recycling.
Businesses should use the Wisconsin DNR website to find an alternative reputable electronics recycler for the e-waste they generate.
Additional Information
If you have questions about recycling your electronics, please contact the Streets Division.
Additional information can also be found on the Streets Division's Moving Days website, and the Streets Division's electronics recycling page.