Starting September 1st, you won't be able to dump old electronics in the trash.

That's because a state-wide electronics recycling law, called E-Cycle Wisconsin, takes effect.

It's a law that's two-fold: helping re-use products and keeping people and their environment healthy.

The next time you go to put your trash on the curb, your old electronics aren't allowed.

"It's based on the idea that a lot of these materials can be reused and they're valuable. Manufacturers don't wanna have to pay for a whole new set of raw precious metals when you have some that you can reuse. But also, they can cause a lot of environmental and human health problems if they're disposed of improperly or burned,” Waste and Materials Management Specialist with the DNR Mike Wenholz said.

Right now, it can cost up to $35 in fees to recycle certain electronics. But Recycling Specialist Anna McCabe says with the new law, costs are expected to go down and potentially go away.

"I really think it's super beneficial for all public residents who may have not wanted to recycle their products before because they thought the fees were too high," Dunn County Recycling Specialist Anna McCabe said.

McCabe says you can drop off electronic devices with screens like TV's, computers and gaming devices, but she says to also remember you can bring things in like a computer mouse, a keyboard or a DVD player.

"The goal of this program is really to be based on education and outreach so the people don't need to worry that somebody's gonna be looking through their garbage and trying to just find them," Mike Wenholz with the DNR said.

McCabe says the law promotes full circle recycling: re-using electronic parts and keeping them out of a landfill. Something she says is a benefit for everyone.

"Even though they could have under the law before, you know, thrown them into the trash, they know better and they wanna be more responsible citizens than that," McCabe said.

For a complete list of all recycling and drop-off locations visit the DNR’s website.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/ecycle/

We have a link to that right now under the news links portion of our website.