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Electronics and E-Waste
It’s ILLEGAL to dispose of certain electronic devices with trash or recycling. Some electronics contain harmful materials and are toxic to the environment.
Types of E-Waste
Only certain electronic items qualify as e-waste under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act. Check the full list of items covered by the act.
- Desktop towers
- Laptops
- Small-scale servers
Computer accessories (peripherals)
- Monitors
- Electronic keyboards, mice and pointing devices
- Printers, scanners, and fax machines
- External hard drives
- Televisions
- VCRs, DVD players, and DVRs
- Cable boxes, digital converters, and satellite receivers
- Cathode ray tubes
- Cell phones, tablets, and e-readers
- Portal digital music players
- Electronic or video game consoles (including handheld)
- Virtual reality headsets (with processors)
- Digital picture frames
NOTE: Items covered under New York State’s Electronic Equipment and Telephone Recycling Acts DO NOT include most electronic household appliances (microwave ovens, refrigerators), digital cameras, radios, calculators, GPS devices, power tools, medical equipment, or batteries. Though they do not qualify as e-waste, they may still have special disposal rules.
Disposal Options
Residents
To get rid of e-waste, you must:
- Find a retail or non-profit drop-off location accepting e-waste near you
- Attend a Community E-Waste Event
- Visit a Special Waste Drop-Off site
- Bring it to a SAFE Disposal event
- Enroll in ecycleNYC (apartment buildings with 10 or more units)
- Use a manufacturer’s takeback program
Businesses and Nonprofits
Small businesses (fewer than 50 full time employees) and nonprofits (fewer than 75 full time employees) are eligible for free electronics recycling provided by manufacturers. Find out more about manufacturer recycling programs.
Larger businesses must hire an electronic waste recycler. Find out more about electronics handling of businesses.
Schools
Schools must follow specific guidelines for disposal of e-waste. For more information on electronics disposal for NYC DOE Schools, contact WasteSupport@schools.nyc.gov.
NYC Agencies
NYC mayoral agencies are required to contract with a private vendor for safe handling of harmful or hazardous waste. Find out more about the City's Agency Safe Handling contract.