Refuse and recycling carts at the curb
Streets & Urban Forestry

TVs, computers, and electronics Recycling

Do not put televisions, computers, printers or other electronics in your trash or recycling carts.  

Do not put them at curb at the curb for pickup. You must take these items to a drop-off site or a private electronics recycler.

On this page you will find:

Who Can Take Electronics to the Drop-off Sites?

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.

What We Accept for Electronics Recycling

You must bring your electronics a drop-off site or a private recycler.

Do not put them in your tan trash cart.  

Do not put them in the green recycling cart.  

Do not put them at the curb for pickup.

Drop-off site hours and locations

 Electronics required to be recycled by state and local regulations:

  • Computers: Desktops, laptops, netbooks, e-readers, tablets, etc.
  • Computer accessories: Keyboards, mice, headsets, web cameras, routers, modems, speakers, flash drives, external hard drives, discs, etc.
  • Phones: Cell phones, smart phones, and phones with video displays, etc.
  • Cell Phone Accessories: charging cords, etc.
  • Printers: scanners, fax machines, copy machines, 3D printers, etc.
  • Televisions, monitors, & their accessories: remote controls, cable boxes, satellite receivers, streaming service receivers, AV cords & cables, home theater systems
  • Security cameras
  • Video game systems
  • Media players: DVD players, Blu-ray players, VCRs, etc.

Other Recyclable Electronics

Bring these items to a drop-off site for recycling, too.

  • Gaming accessories: Controllers, cartridges, handheld games, etc.
  • Wearable accessories: Headphones, earbuds, etc.
  • Cords: Cables, wires, extension cords, etc.
  • Stereos and stereo components
  • MP3 players
  • Holiday lights, string lights
  • Box fans
  • Digital cameras
  • Kitchen devices: blenders, scales, mixers, etc.
  • Bathroom devices: scales, hair dryers, curling irons, toothbrushes, etc.
  • And many, many other electronic gadgets items.
    • If it has a plug or runs off batteries, we will probably accept it.

Data Destruction, Security, and Recycling

Your 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.

Recycling Fees?

Recycling fees for electronics are temporarily stopped for 2025.

Our contracted recycler is working with Samsung to cover recycling costs again in 2025. This has allowed us to temporarily stop the recycling fees for electronics.  

Fees or Fines 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.

Also, it is against a City of Madison ordinance to place these items out in front of your home.

Recyclopedia

Can't find what you're looking for? Use the search feature below to find out what to do with your stuff.  

And if you still can't find it - contact us.

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Trash & Recycling