Success Story - E-Cycle Washington electronics recycling program

E-Cycle Washington, the state’s electronics recycling program, has been in operation for nine years, collecting more than 345 million pounds of electronic devices and keeping them out of the landfill.

In 2016, E-Cycle collected more than 36 million pounds of TVs, computers, monitors, e-readers, and portable DVD players for recycling.

Recycling saves energy and conserves resources, but it also protects the environment by capturing toxic materials.

Electronic devices contain lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, and other toxics. Ecology estimates that 24.7 million pounds of lead alone has been recycled through the E-Cycle program.

E-Cycle Washington is the state’s first manufacturer-funded product stewardship program, meaning that the companies that make these electronics pay to ensure they can be recycled at the end of their useful lives.

Across the country, 25 states have electronics recycling laws and Washington is consistently one of the highest performers.

In 2016, Washington consumers recycled 5.05 pounds of electronics per person. That high rate is made possible in part by the convenient statewide collection network of more than 350 free drop-off sites for used electronics.

More than half of these sites are charitable organizations that are able to find new homes for the functional electronics they receive, which saves even more energy and resources.

Go to the website or call 1-800-RECYCLE to find free drop-off sites.

Local drop-off sites:

• Goodwill Shoreline – 14500 15th Ave NE
• St Vincent de Paul Shoreline – 13555 Aurora Ave N
• Deseret Industries Shoreline – 17935 Aurora Ave N
• Salvation Army Shoreline -15403 Westminster Way N and van at Fred Meyer, 18325 Aurora Ave N