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Electronics Handling
Business Electronics Recycling
Businesses in New York State are required to recycle their electronics.
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 a NYS registered electronic waste recycling facility.
NOTE: Recyclers with R2 and e-Stewards certifications are recommended.
Electronics Take-Back Program Requirements
Under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, New York State requires manufacturers of electronics to take back products that they make for recycling.
Retailers should take these items back from customers, whether or not they were bought at their stores.
Electronics that are covered under this rule include:
- Computers (including tablets and e-readers)
- Televisions (including cathode ray tubes)
- Small-scale servers
- Computer accessories (monitors, keyboards, mice, fax machines, scanners, and printers, including attached cables, cords, and wiring)
- TV accessories (VCRs, DVRs, DVD players, digital converter boxes, cable or satellite receivers, and video game consoles)
- Portable devices like digital music players
Learn more about electronic waste recycling in NYS.
Cell Phone Take-Back Program Requirements
New York State law requires all wireless telephone service providers, including retailers to take back outdated, damaged, and otherwise unwanted cell phones from anyone, not just their own customers.
Read the NYS Wireless Telephone Recycling Act.
Battery Take-Back Program Requirements
New York State law requires stores that sell rechargeable batteries or products that contain rechargeable batteries to accept them back from customers for safe disposal and recycling.
This applies to any type of rechargeable battery that you sell or that’s found in a product you sell--including, but not limited to:
- Nickel-cadmium
- Sealed lead
- Lithium ion
- Nickel metal hydride
- Any other dry cell battery capable of being recharged
- Battery packs containing any of the above-mentioned batteries
NOTE: Food stores with less than 14,000 square feet of display space are excepted.
Call2Recycle has detailed information for retailers about setting up rechargeable battery recycling programs. When you sign up, they will send you a free collection container.
Battery Disposal
Do not throw out rechargeable, auto, or other hazardous batteries in the regular trash or recycling. These batteries must be recycled or disposed of properly.
Alkaline batteries can be discarded with regular trash EXCEPT in large quantities.
Call2Recycle collects and recycles batteries at no cost.