Wisconsin banned many electronics from landfills in 2009, making recycling a requirement. This spawned a statewide campaign to get the word out about the change and to encourage local events to collect discarded electronic devices. The southeastern corner on Wisconsin on Lake Michigan is one of the most populous areas of the state, and home to both the capital, Madison, and Milwaukee.
Helping Hands Recycling is a grass-roots organization that has hosted recycling events in Wisconsin Dells municipal parking lot, with almost all electronics accepted free of charge. Helping Hands Recycling is a family-run business based in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The business maintains permanent drop-off stores, offers drop-offs by appointment and hosts electronics recycling events.
The Milwaukee Department of Public Works hosts both special events and regular, weekly electronics collection for recycling. You can sign up on its website for alerts to special events. Links on the website answer “What happens to my recyclables?” and “Where do Milwaukee’s recyclables go?”
The city holds special collecting events throughout the year, announced on the city’s website and through local media. Milwaukee also accepts TVs, computers, desktop printers, DVD players, VCRs and DVRs, and cell phones for free at Milwaukee’s two self-help centers. The centers also accept used motor oil, antifreeze, automotive batteries and tires, as well as organic materials.
There are several regular, ongoing events for electronics recycling in Madison, Wisconsin's southeastern capital. The city's Department of Streets and Recycling collects ink jet cartridges and cell phones, computers, fluorescent lamps and organic items.
Electronics-recycling events are held weekly, 7:30 a.m. through 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at eastern and western recycling sites, as of October 2010. Those hours are in effect from Dec. 7 through March 27. Hours for the summer and fall are 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The centers close at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Computer monitors, laptops, computer CPUs and televisions require a $10 fee sticker to be recycled, and must be brought to a recycling station. Buy stickers at the city's Streets Department office, Madison Public Libraries, or online at www.madisonpay.com. Most other electronic devices, computer keyboards, cell phones, printers, cameras and ink jet cartridges, are accepted for recycling for free. Large console televisions can be picked up curbside on large-item pickup days as long as the $10 sticker is attached.
Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin accepts all brands of computers in any condition for free, as part of a partner program with Dell. Computers and related equipment can be dropped off at a donation center, as part of the Reconnect program. The donations are tax deductible.
Best Buy stores, nationwide, also accept computers, TVs and other electronics for recycling as part of the retailer’s Greener Together program. “Regardless of where you bought it, what brand it is, or how old it is: bring it to us. We’ll make sure it’s properly and safely recycled,” according to Best Buy. The business also carts away old TVs and appliances for free if you buy a new one from Best Buy. It also provides cart-away service to anyone for a fee. Staples also accepts electronics for recycling for a fee.
