Electronics
Certain components in our electronics can be hazardous to the environment and our health. These hazardous materials are known to be toxic and should not be thrown away in your curbside trash. Let’s work together to ensure these hazardous materials do not end up in our environment, waterways or landfills!
There are multiple options for electronics disposal, outlined in the tabs below. The disposal process varies depending on if you plan to sell, reuse or recycle your electronics. Our Turning Trash into Treasure Guide (PDF) is another resource that provides detailed information about recycling and reuse opportunities in Washtenaw County.
Televisions
Televisions are one of the more difficult items to recycle. Older CRT (tube) televisions or large (55” +), flat screen TV’s cannot be mailed in as part of electronic takeback programs due to the logistics of shipping large items. Large TVs are only accepted at certain local recyclers, often for a fee. Washtenaw County Clean Up Days will accept these and other electronics at the events hosted several times a year.
Local locations that accept large/oversize TVs:
Most smaller electronics can be recycled for free at local locations. Businesses such as Staples and Best Buy will take many electronics such as DVD players, copiers, stereos, laptops and printers. A full listing is available on the website of each business.
It is recommended (though not required) to reset your computers, tablets, or cellphones to factory settings and remove any personal information or photos. This is usually relatively simple and helpful guides can be found online.
- Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station - Ann Arbor - The Drop-Off Station accepts regular recyclable items and a wide variety of harder-to-recycle items. A $3 entry fee plus additional fees may apply. Pittsfield Township and City of Ypsilanti residents can get the entry fee waived through vouchers obtained from their municipality.
- Best Buy - Accepts a wide variety of electronics and cords in most stores.
- Staples - Accepts a wide variety of electronics and cords in most stores.
- uBreakiFIx - Canton and Brighton - An electronics repair shop that also accepts electronics for recycling. See recycling list.
- County Clean-Up Days – County Clean-Up Day events held several times a year throughout Washtenaw County. View the webpage for specific details.
Donate your Electronics
There are several options for reuse of electronics. Donating to local organizations or using resale websites are both excellent options.
It is recommended (though not required) to reset your computers, tablets, or cellphones to factory settings and remove any personal information or photos. This is usually relatively simple and helpful guides can be found online.
- Goodwill Industries, Inc. - Saline, MI - Goodwill and Dell partnered to create RECONNECT to recycle non-working computers statewide. Drop off your unwanted computer or computer-related equipment at any Goodwill store or donation center throughout Michigan! If you have a working computer or other electronics, call your local Goodwill to see if they can accept the item. If so, you can donate it for resale.
Synod Residential Services - TECH Horizons Program, Ypsilanti, MI - Laptops and tablets accepted. Synod Residential Services assist disabled adults in accessing and developing skills in technology.
Computers with Causes - When financially beneficial, Computers with Causes will repair, refurbish, and properly prepare donated electronics for placement into an educational environment or other cause.
Sell for Reuse
- Utilize local services, like Facebook Marketplace, Offer Up, or Craigslist, to sell your used computers and other electronics.
Take Back Programs
- Apple
Trade in your apple product for recycling or reuse and receive a gift card or money towards another purchase. - Dell
Recycle your unwanted Dell PC or computer electronics for free. - Gateway
Gateway offers a recycling program to return Gateway products for recycling free of charge. - Hewlett Packard
HP recycling services provides an easy way to recycle computer equipment, printing supplies, rechargeable batteries and other items. - IBM
Through the IBM PC Recycling Service, consumers and small businesses can recycle any manufacturer’s PCs including units, monitors, printers and optional attachments. This service can be purchased without the purchase of a new machine.