Americans generate more than 6.9 million tons of electronic waste every year, yet only about 15 to 20 percent of it gets recycled properly. The rest ends up in landfills, releasing lead, mercury, and cadmium into the soil and water. That is exactly why a growing number of states have stepped in with laws that make manufacturers, not consumers, foot the bill for recycling. If you have ever wondered which states make manufacturers recycle your electronics for free, the short answer is that 25 states plus Washington, D.C. currently have e-waste laws on the books, and the vast majority of them put the cost on producers rather than residents.
These laws fall into two main camps. The most common approach, called Producer Responsibility, forces manufacturers to register with the state, fund collection sites, and offer free take-back for covered electronics. A second, smaller group led by California uses an Advanced Recycling Fee model, where a small fee added at checkout funds the recycling program instead.
In this guide, our team breaks down every state with a manufacturer recycling law, explains the difference between the two models, lists the states that still have no program, and walks you through exactly how to recycle your old laptop, TV, or phone for free in your area.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: States With Free Manufacturer Electronics Recycling
Twenty-five states plus Washington, D.C. have laws that make electronics recycling free or near-free for residents. The 24 states below use the Producer Responsibility model, meaning manufacturers pay for recycling and must offer free take-back:
Colorado
Connecticut
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming (limited)
Washington, D.C.
Two additional states, California and Utah, also offer free or low-cost recycling for residents, but they fund it through an Advanced Recycling Fee charged at the time of purchase instead of billing manufacturers directly. So in practical terms, residents in all 25 states plus D.C. have access to free or low-fee electronics recycling.
Producer Responsibility vs. Advanced Recycling Fee Explained
To understand which states make manufacturers recycle your electronics for free, it helps to know how the two funding models actually work. They sound similar but place the cost in very different places.
Producer Responsibility (Manufacturer-Paid)
Under the Producer Responsibility model, also called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the company that made the device is legally responsible for taking it back and paying for recycling. Manufacturers must register annually with the state, report how much product they sell there, and fund a network of free collection sites.
This is the dominant approach in the United States. All states with e-waste laws except California and Utah use some version of it. For you as a consumer, it means you can drop off covered electronics at designated sites without paying a fee at the door.
Advanced Recycling Fee (Consumer-Paid Upfront)
The Advanced Recycling Fee (ARF) model works differently. When you buy a new covered device, a small fee is added to the purchase price. That money flows into a state fund that pays recyclers to accept your old electronics for free later.
California pioneered this approach in 2003 with its Electronic Waste Recycling Act, and Utah followed with a similar structure. The fee is typically between $6 and $10 on a new monitor or TV. You pay it forward at checkout, then recycling is free when you are ready to dispose of the old unit.
Which Model Is Better?
Both models keep electronics out of landfills, and both give consumers a free drop-off option. The difference is mostly about when you pay. With Producer Responsibility, the manufacturer builds the cost into the product price. With ARF, you see a separate line item on your receipt. Functionally, residents in either type of state get free recycling.
Complete State-by-State Breakdown of E-Waste Recycling Laws
Here is a closer look at how each state with a manufacturer electronics recycling law operates. Our team grouped them by region so you can quickly find your state and learn what is covered and how to participate.
Northeast States
Connecticut runs a Producer Responsibility program covering computers, monitors, printers, televisions, and portable DVD players. Residents can drop off up to seven covered devices for free. Municipalities maintain collection points, and manufacturers fund the system based on their market share.
Maine was one of the first states to mandate manufacturer recycling back in 2006. The law covers TVs, monitors, laptops, and desktop computers. Manufacturers pay for collection containers, transportation, and recycling, while municipalities host the drop-off locations.
New Jersey passed its Electronic Waste Management Act in 2007, covering TVs, desktop and laptop computers, and monitors. Manufacturers must provide free recycling opportunities for consumers and are allocated recycling obligations based on sales volume.
New York has one of the most comprehensive laws in the country. The 2010 Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act covers most consumer electronics, and as of 2015 it is illegal for residents to throw covered electronics in the trash or curbside pickup. Manufacturers must offer free take-back, including mail-back options for rural areas.
Pennsylvania requires manufacturers of covered devices to fund recycling through the Covered Device Recycling Act of 2010. Residents can drop off TVs, laptops, desktops, and monitors for free at approved collection sites.
Rhode Island covers computers, monitors, TVs, and other covered electronic devices under its 2006 law. Manufacturers must establish collection programs and pay for the recycling based on return share.
Vermont runs a broad EPR program covering 10 categories of electronics including computers, monitors, printers, TVs, and even portable DVD players. There are over 90 free permanent collection sites across the state.
Mid-Atlantic and South States
Maryland requires manufacturers of covered electronic devices to register with the state and pay annual registration fees that fund local recycling programs. The law covers computers, monitors, and TVs.
Virginia has a Producer Responsibility law that requires computer manufacturers to offer free take-back programs for residents. The law focuses on desktops, laptops, and monitors rather than televisions.
North Carolina banned computers and TVs from landfills in 2011 and requires manufacturers to fund recycling through the state program. Residents can use county-run collection sites at no cost.
South Carolina passed its Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection Act in 2010, covering desktops, laptops, monitors, printers, and TVs.
West Virginia requires manufacturers of covered electronic devices to register annually and offer recycling programs for residents, with a focus on computers and displays.
Midwest States
Illinois strengthened its law in 2012 to cover 17 categories of electronics and banned them from landfills. Manufacturers must meet recycling goals based on market share, and residents get free drop-off through registered collectors.
Indiana requires manufacturers that sell more than 290 covered devices per year in the state to recycle a percentage of their sales volume. The program covers TVs, monitors, laptops, and desktops.
Michigan mandates that every manufacturer selling covered electronic devices in the state register annually and offer free take-back to households. Covered items include computers, monitors, printers, and TVs.
Minnesota has one of the more aggressive recycling standards, requiring manufacturers to recycle 80 percent of what they sell into the state by weight. The law covers video display devices, computers, peripherals, and fax machines.
Missouri runs a Manufacturer Responsibility program requiring computer makers to implement recovery plans for residential equipment. The law focuses on CPUs, monitors, laptops, and tablet computers.
Wisconsin requires manufacturers of covered electronics to register and fund recycling through the E-Cycle Wisconsin program, which has collected more than 400 million pounds of electronics since 2010.
West and Mountain States
California uses the ARF model, charging a small fee on covered electronic devices at purchase. That fund supports the CalRecycle program, which has collected more than 2.5 billion pounds of e-waste since 2005. Covered devices are mainly video display devices, including TVs, monitors, and laptops.
Colorado banned electronics from landfills in 2013 and requires large manufacturers to fund free recycling for residents. Covered devices include TVs, computers, monitors, and printers.
Oregon runs Oregon E-Cycles, a Producer Responsibility program that provides free recycling of up to seven covered devices per drop-off. Manufacturers pay for the system based on return share.
Washington launched its E-Cycle Washington program in 2009, one of the earliest comprehensive state programs. Manufacturers fund free recycling for TVs, computers, monitors, and portable computers at more than 200 collection sites.
Hawaii requires computer and TV manufacturers to register and operate take-back programs for residents on each major island, with free drop-off at participating retailers and county sites.
Wyoming has a narrower program that covers computers, monitors, and peripherals, with manufacturers required to offer free take-back to households.
Utah uses an ARF-style approach with a recycling fund supported by fees on certain covered devices. Residents can use approved collectors for free or low-cost recycling.
Texas has two separate programs. The Texas Recycles Computers program requires computer manufacturers to offer free take-back, and the Texas Recycles TVs program does the same for television manufacturers. Both provide free recycling for households.
Oklahoma requires computer manufacturers to offer free and convenient recycling to households, with penalties for noncompliance.
Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia runs a Producer Responsibility program requiring manufacturers of covered electronics to fund free recycling for residents, small businesses, and nonprofits, with collection events and permanent drop-off sites across the city.
States Without E-Waste Recycling Laws
Roughly half the country still has no statewide law requiring manufacturers to recycle electronics. If you live in one of these states, you will not find a guaranteed free state-funded drop-off program, but you may still have local options through municipalities, retailers, or manufacturer mail-back programs.
States without dedicated e-waste recycling legislation include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Massachusetts. Note that local county or city programs may still exist even where there is no state mandate.
If your state is on this list, the best options are usually manufacturer take-back mailers, retailer programs like Best Buy and Staples, or municipal household hazardous waste collection days. We cover how to find these in the next section.
How to Use Manufacturer Recycling Programs in Your State
Knowing your state has a law is one thing. Actually using the program is another. Reddit users in communities like r/ZeroWaste and r/Electronicrecycling frequently complain about how hard it is to find the right drop-off location or understand what is accepted. Here is a step-by-step process our team recommends.
Step 1: Identify Your State Program
Start with your state environmental agency website. Search for your state name plus “electronics recycling program” or “e-waste.” Most states with laws maintain a public-facing directory of approved collectors and permanent drop-off sites.
For example, New York residents can use the NYSDEC electronics recycling locator, Washington residents use the E-Cycle Washington site, and Oregon residents use Oregon E-Cycles. These tools let you enter your ZIP code and find the nearest free drop-off.
Step 2: Check What Devices Are Covered
Covered electronic devices, often abbreviated as CEDs, vary by state. Nearly every state law covers TVs, computers, and monitors. Many also cover printers, keyboards, mice, and portable DVD players. Smaller items like cables, chargers, and cell phones are sometimes excluded from state programs.
Check the official list before you load up your car. Dropping off an uncovered item can mean a fee or a refused drop-off.
Step 3: Wipe Your Data
Before recycling any computer, phone, or tablet, fully erase your personal data. For computers, use secure erasure software that overwrites the drive multiple times. For phones, do a factory reset and remove any SIM or SD cards. If the device will not boot, physically remove and shred the hard drive.
Businesses should look for recyclers who follow the NIST 800-88 standard for media sanitization and provide a Certificate of Destruction.
Step 4: Drop Off or Mail Back
In Producer Responsibility states, drop-off at approved sites is free. Many states allow up to seven devices per visit. If you live in a rural area or cannot transport large items, check whether your state program offers mail-back options or annual collection events.
Manufacturer mail-back programs from Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are also free in most cases and ship anywhere in the country, regardless of state law.
Step 5: Use Retailer Programs as Backup
Best Buy, Staples, and some other major retailers offer free in-store recycling for many electronics, including TVs (with size limits), computers, and small appliances. These programs work even if your state has no law, though limits on quantities and item types apply.
Walmart also runs occasional trade-in events and accepts some electronics through partner mail-back programs, though it does not pay cash for most used devices. If you want cash for working devices, manufacturer trade-in programs or services like Decluttr typically offer better value.
Are Companies Really Recycling Your Electronics? How to Verify
One of the most common concerns in Reddit threads on e-waste is whether recycling actually happens or whether devices just get shipped overseas. The concern is valid. A 2019 investigation by the Basel Action Network found that some “recyclers” were exporting electronics to developing countries with weak environmental enforcement.
You can protect yourself and confirm your electronics are truly recycled by checking for third-party certifications. The two gold standards are R2v3 (formerly Responsible Recycling Practices) and e-Stewards. Both certifications require audited, environmentally sound processing and prohibit the export of hazardous e-waste to developing nations.
Look up your recycler on the R2v3 or e-Stewards directories before you drop off. Legitimate recyclers will also provide chain-of-custody documentation and Certificates of Destruction on request, which matters most for businesses with compliance obligations.
State-run programs under Producer Responsibility laws generally vet their approved collectors against these standards. If you use a state-approved site, you are already ahead. Avoid unverified private collectors offering suspiciously fast pickups with no paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Best Buy still recycle electronics for free?
Yes, Best Buy continues to offer free in-store recycling at most U.S. locations for a wide range of electronics, including computers, TVs (under size limits), printers, and small accessories. The program accepts up to three items per household per day and works in every state, regardless of whether your state has a recycling law.
Are companies really recycling e-waste?
Reputable recyclers genuinely process e-waste, but you should verify by checking for R2v3 or e-Stewards certifications. These certifications prohibit exporting hazardous waste to developing countries and require audited, environmentally sound processing. State-approved collectors under Producer Responsibility laws are typically vetted against these standards.
Who is the largest e-waste recycler in the US?
ERI (Electronic Recyclers International) is widely cited as the largest e-waste recycler in the United States, processing hundreds of millions of pounds of electronics annually across multiple facilities. Other major players include Sims Lifecycle Services and Cascades Recovery.
Does Walmart pay for old electronics?
Walmart does not typically pay cash for old electronics, but it does run trade-in kiosks through partners like ecoATM that offer instant cash for working smartphones and tablets. Walmart also supports mail-back recycling through partner programs for some devices. For cash value on working electronics, manufacturer trade-in programs or services like Decluttr usually pay more.
Conclusion: Know Your State, Recycle Smarter
Understanding which states make manufacturers recycle your electronics for free puts real power in your hands. If you live in one of the 25 states plus Washington, D.C. with e-waste laws, you have access to free or low-cost recycling funded by manufacturers or a small point-of-sale fee. Use your state program directory, verify recycler certifications, and never put covered electronics in the trash. If your state has no law yet, lean on retailer programs, manufacturer mail-back, and municipal hazardous waste events. Every device recycled properly is one less toxic addition to a landfill and one more source of recovered copper, gold, and rare metals for the circular economy.