Everywhere you can properly recycle electronic waste in DC

For many people, old electronics quickly fall out of sight and out of mind, sitting in a box in the back of the closet when they make their next upgrades. 

When they’re finally thrown out, the devices often end up in curbside trash bins, then pile up in landfills and risk damaging the surrounding environment and communities. 

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is becoming the largest growing municipal waste stream, or full lifecycle of waste, and a major challenge for cities like DC to tackle. In response, the district has enforced stricter regulations and created more opportunities for residents to reduce their e-waste. 

In 2019, the city introduced the Sustainable DC 2.0 plan, which aims to make DC “the healthiest, greenest, most livable city for all residents.” The plan aims to divert 80% of solid waste out of landfills by 2032, and redirect it to being recycled or reused 

While e-waste is just one waste stream the city endeavors to tackle, residents can help contribute to this goal by ensuring their own e-waste gets properly recycled. 

DC and its suburbs contain over 10 facilities where residents can recycle their electronics and devices.

Unsure of where to drop off specific tech or materials — or if you can even recycle them? District residents can check out Zero Waste DC’s “What Goes Where” tool.

Here’s a guide to places in the DC region where you can responsibly dispose of old electronics.

What is e-waste?

E-waste, short for “electronic waste,” is unwanted or discarded pieces of electronics, such as old cell phones, computers and even kitchen appliances. While some devices are no longer functional, many are still working or salvageable electronics that could otherwise be repaired, donated or resold.

In 2019, Americans generated over 6.9 million tons of e-waste, but only 15% of it was recycled. Despite piling up in our landfills and its inability to decompose, e-waste can be especially dangerous to our environment due to the toxic chemicals found within electronics. 

How does DC plan to reduce its e-waste?

Over the past few years, DC made significant strides to help its residents keep e-waste out of landfills and give old electronics a second life. The government does so through a mix of initiatives and offerings across several agencies. 

As part of the Sustainable DC 2.0 plan, the city in 2018 banned “covered electronic equipment” in regular trash. This prevented residents from improperly disposing of devices like computers and cellphones in their curbside bins. They’re instead encouraged to donate or repair their electronics before recycling, and can use Reuse DC’s directory to find a store near them.

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) has partnered with Call2Recycle, a battery recycling program, to offer multiple drop-off locations citywide for residents to safely discard old batteries.  

The Department of Public Works also hosts regular special waste collection events across the city where residents can register to drop off hazardous household waste, such as paints or cleaners, and unwanted electronic equipment for safe disposal.

Since launching the sustainability initiative, the city has achieved 27.9% waste diversion so far. As for e-waste, DC’s electronics waste program, eCYCLE DC, collected and recycled or reused around 1.2 million pounds in 2022. It has held events where companies like Greenchip, which has an office in Fredericksburg, Virginia, take e-waste for proper disposal.  

Why is recycling e-waste through the proper channels so important? 

The typical single-stream system of putting all household recycling in a curbside bin every week isn’t enough to process e-waste properly. It’s categorized as “hazardous waste” due to the dangerous materials found in electronics like mercury and lead. 

These toxic components require a specialized removal process to prevent environmental and health risks. When improperly disposed of, this waste can leak into the soil below landfills; then, through a process known as “leaching,” it can pollute the soil, groundwater and fresh water nearby. Leaching not only risks polluting drinking water from natural wells but also harms local wildlife.  

E-waste additionally contains precious materials like gold and copper, which can be recovered and reused to make new products. Dell Technologies does a version of this through its own recovery and recycling services, where it refurbishes and repairs older electronics while recovering and repurposing any materials (including plastic) from out-of-use tech into new devices.

Why does recycling e-waste cost money?

The process involves more than just emptying your trash into a bin. It instead requires specialized equipment and staff to properly handle materials and hazardous chemicals. 

For example, devices like old computer monitors require an additional method to safely recycle because toxic components can pose a risk to employees.

Some companies also charge to wipe data from devices before shredding or recycling to protect customer privacy. This is especially helpful for businesses or commercial spaces looking to recycle old computers or hardware while safeguarding sensitive information. 

Services like LoadUp Junk Removal will pick up your recycling from your doorstep or business for a small fee. Some electronic store chains, like Best Buy and Staples, will take your unwanted e-waste for free and even give a discount on future purchases. 

What’s the process for recycling e-waste?

The process varies based on the electronics and services provided by the facility. It typically begins with sorting components into categories such as metals, plastics, and hazardous materials. Metals are smelted for reuse, plastics are recycled, and hazardous materials are safely disposed of.

Some companies also offer repair services to extend the life of old electronics. Additionally, they may provide data destruction or wiping services, often performed before repair or recycling.

What types of e-waste can usually be recycled?

Most electronics can be recycled through the proper recycling centers, including:

• Cellphones 
• Computers/laptops/monitors
• CD/DVD players 
• Gaming systems and equipment
• Keyboards and mice 
• Printers
• Small kitchen appliances, like toasters or microwaves
• Stereos
• Tablets
• TVs
• Rechargeable batteries 

Confirm acceptable materials with your local center — some facilities don’t accept batteries, lightbulbs, air conditioners or refrigerators. 

How can we generate less e-waste?

One of the most important steps to reducing e-waste is being mindful of electronic consumption. For instance, you can extend the life of your devices by opting to repair them instead of buying brand-new ones.

Plus, most electronics, like cell phones and laptops, can be easily refurbished and updated to work longer. Consider buying pre-owned or refurbished devices rather than new ones, which tend to be more expensive anyway. 

Another great way to generate less e-waste is to encourage your employer to properly recycle its e-waste. Companies like R2 Recycling will accept or pick up commercial and large-scale e-waste from businesses, keeping thousands of pounds of toxic materials out of landfills.