Recycling
Electronics Recycling in Chicago: The 2026 Resident's Guide
Chicago has more electronics recycling options than residents realize. Here's where, when, and how to recycle responsibly.
Why responsible e-waste handling matters
Roughly 50 million tons of electronic waste are generated globally each year. In Illinois, it's illegal to throw most electronics in regular household trash — the Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act bans landfill disposal of televisions, computers, monitors, printers, and many small electronics.
For Chicago residents, the good news is that the city, state, and several nonprofits provide multiple legal recycling paths.
City of Chicago options
Streets & Sanitation Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. North Branch St. accepts most residential e-waste from Chicago residents free of charge. Hours and accepted item lists are posted on the official city website — check before driving over.
The city also runs several community recycling events throughout the year, typically held in ward-level locations. Sign up for your alderperson's newsletter to catch them.
Big-box retailer drop-off
- Best Buy accepts most consumer electronics for free recycling, with limits per household per day
- Staples takes office electronics and printer ink
- Apple Stores recycle Apple products at no cost (often with a small credit if the device has value)
Manufacturer mail-in programs
- Dell Reconnect (partnered with Goodwill) — most Dell products
- HP Planet Partners — printers, cartridges, electronics
- Samsung Recycling Direct — mail-in via UPS
These are excellent for old printers and bulky electronics you don't want to transport.
Specialty Chicago e-waste recyclers
A handful of certified R2 and e-Stewards recyclers operate in the Chicago metro area. They serve both residents and businesses, and many host occasional community drop-off days.
What about devices that still work?
If a device still powers on and isn't actively broken, consider:
- Selling it — even at low prices, value circulates
- Donating it — Chicago has several digital-divide nonprofits that refurbish and redistribute devices to students and families
- Trading at a local buyback — Among local Chicago options, you can sell phones, laptops, tablets and consoles for cash at a trusted electronics buyback shop in Chicago. As with any local buyer, get a quote and compare it against online offers before deciding.
Working devices should generally not go straight to recycling if reuse is viable.
Before you recycle anything
- Back up data (even if you're recycling, you may still want what's on it)
- Factory reset the device
- Remove batteries if separable (recycle batteries in dedicated battery bins)
- Remove SIM and SD cards
- Wipe storage (built-in reset is enough for modern devices; older hard drives benefit from a wipe utility or physical destruction)
What is — and isn't — accepted
Generally accepted at most Chicago e-waste drop-offs:
- Computers, laptops, monitors
- Tablets, phones, e-readers
- Cables, keyboards, mice
- Printers, scanners, fax machines
- Small kitchen electronics
- Routers, modems, networking gear
Often NOT accepted:
- Large appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- Smoke detectors and CFL bulbs (handled separately)
- Items with leaking batteries
Why proper e-waste handling saves money
Chicago avoids significant landfill costs when residents recycle electronics properly, and certified recyclers recover valuable materials — gold, silver, copper, palladium — that re-enter manufacturing supply chains. It also keeps lead, mercury, and brominated flame retardants out of landfills near our communities.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to throw away my old computer in Chicago?
Yes. Illinois bans landfill disposal of computers, monitors, TVs, and most consumer electronics. Use a certified drop-off.
Where can I recycle a TV in Chicago?
The city's Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility on North Branch Street accepts TVs from Chicago residents. Best Buy also accepts TVs with size limits and a small fee.
Should I wipe my hard drive before recycling?
Yes. Even reputable recyclers can lose track of a device. Wipe the drive with a tool like Eraser (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac), or physically destroy the drive.
Are there any items recyclers won't take?
Most won't take large appliances, items with active liquid leakage, or hazardous materials like CFLs and smoke detectors — those have separate disposal channels.
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